How and where to taste and buy spices in Sri Lanka

Much of the Western World’s initial fascination for Sri Lanka is thanks to its spices.

Since ancient times, Sri Lanka has captured the Western world’s attention with its abundance of spices. To the Europeans (Greeks, Romans) and the Arabs, these spices were exotic and therefore essential to trade.  Greeks, Romans and Arabs called Sri Lanka “Taprobane” and have valued the country for its spice trade.

The spice trade was also important to the Portuguese, Dutch and British. To date, this fascination continues and Sri Lanka offers a great way for foreign tourists to get accustomed to the wonderful world of spices.

Nearly 400 types of unique spices grow on this island, including coriander, cumin, cinnamon, pepper, cloves, nutmeg, cardamom and turmeric. Spices are used both in Sri Lankan cuisine and to blend natural remedies in Ayurveda medicine.

Sri Lanka has formed a Spice Council to regulate the trade of this precious and exotic cargo. Tourists can now tour spice plantations to get a taste of Sri Lanka’s history and unique historical importance. You can even pick up aromatic soaps, bath oils and incense sticks made from these places.