Cardamom

(Elletaria cardamomi)

The "Queen of spices" is sustainably cultivated in the shade of rainforest trees at Mojo Plantation where agriculture has been integrated into the forest ecosystem. The pods are hand-picked, farm-processed, and used for their special flavour.

It aids in digestion, counteracts nausea, diuretic, relieves headaches and is used in aromatherapy.

Coffee

(Robusta and Arabica)

are intercropped on hilly slopes under the canopies of over 100 species of native rainforest trees. These highland coffees are roasted under controlled conditions and mixed into special blends to yield a highly aromatic and delicious drink.

A popular beverage well known as an energy stimulant, it is used in Ayurvedic medicine to regulate functioning of liver and gall bladder, relieve headaches, and alleviate constipation.

Civet coffee

Wild Palm Civet roam freely around the plantation when coffee berries are ripening. They choose the sweetest and most succulent fruits, digest the flesh, and the seeds are exposed to proteolytic enzymes which release peptides resulting in an enhanced flavour.

These coffee seeds are manually collected, extensively washed in running water, dried, hand-pounded and graded, then lightly roasted to yield a highly aromatic coffee prized for its unique taste.

Black Pepper

(Piper nigrum)

The “King of spices” is hand-picked from vines which grow on the native jungle trees. It is known in Ayurveda to enhance the immune system, aids in digestion, antiflatulence, relieves sore throats, has anti-oxidant properties, enhances general metabolism and forms an intrinsic part of all Indian and much of continental cuisine.

Vanilla

(Vanilla planifolia)

is an orchid vine trailing on rainforest trees at Mojo Plantation. Flowers are hand pollinated and fruits cured laboriously to yield fragrant beans which are used to flavour sweets, ice creams, beverages, or in cosmetics. Vanillin can be eluted or used as beans.

Vanilla was traditionally used for curing hysteria, low fevers and impotency.

Green Tea

(Camellia sinensis)

Tea bushes at Mojo are intercropped with orange trees. Leaves are handpicked, steamed and dried to yield an aromatic Green tea. One teaspoonful can be steeped in a cup of boiling water for a few minutes to yield a pleasing and fragrant drink.

Green tea is used medicinally for weight loss and for its anti-oxidative properties.

Costus Green Tea

(Costus pictus, C.igneus)

is grown in the cardamom valleys of Mojo Plantation and known as the 'insulin plant' in traditional medicine. The leaves have a tangy flavor and make for a delicious beverage. Add hot water to a tablespoon of tea mix, infuse for 5 minutes and it is ready to drink.

Leaves or rhizomes consumed—fresh or dried—regulate blood sugar levels and have liver-protective functions.

Cinnamon

(Cinnamomum verum)

is the inner bark of the tree, and is used as a culinary flavouring spice. It is harvested sustainably from secondary shoots to minimize damage to the trees.

It has strong anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, improves sensitivity to insulin, helps lower blood sugar levels, and is used in Ayurveda to cut the risk of heart ailments.

Kokam

(Garcinia cambogia)

are beautiful trees native to Western Ghats and form a part of the forest ecosystem here. The fruits are dried and used for their culinary souring properties and for their medicinal value in combating obesity. It is cooked with meats, fish, vegetables, in a curry or stew form, and gives a delicious flavour to the food. We also prepare a vinegar from the fruits.

Mango Ginger

(Curcuma amada)

A ginger rhizome with the fragrance of raw mangoes, is used to flavour foods, salads and chutneys. Fresh rhizomes are harvested in February and available here.

Ayurveda and Unani medicinal systems value this ginger as an appetizer, and for its antipyretic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, expectorant and laxative properties. Its extracts have antifungal and antibacterial activities.