Facts Of Kerala

The fertile South Indian state of Kerala alone is home dozens of banana species that grow year round. Every respectable house in Kerala has at least one banana plant. A true Malayalee uses it in its entirety. The banana flower, which needs to be cut off in order for the fruit to grow, is made into numerous dishes.The leaves are used as plates. The inside of the trunk can used as a vegetable. 

Types Of Banana's

There are hundreds of varieties of bananas available, from tiny finger-sized fruits to great fruits as big as a man's arm. Ripe bananas come in all colors, from green to yellow, red, and purple.

Seafood is very popular in Kerala and consumed with every meal. Various fish including sardines, mackerel, tuna, rays and shark are eaten, as are crabs, mussels and oysters. "Karimeen" or fried fish is a popular dish as is fish curry called "Fish Moilee." The food is generally fresh, aromatic and flavoured.

Coconut is an essential ingredient in most of the food items and is liberally used The culinary skills of the different communities of Kerala make the dishes distinct in taste and in variety. 

Spices that grow well in this region are cardamom, cinnamon, clove, ginger, vanilla, nutmeg, black pepper and ginger and the leafy oregano, rosemary, curry leaves, thyme, basil (tulsi), mint, bay leaf, coriander and sage.Pepper, Cardamom (Small), Vanilla, Clove, Cinnamon, Ginger, Nutmeg & Mace, Turmeric, Tamarind and Curry Leaves grow in Kerala.

Kerala is one of the chief producer of coffee in India. The coffee seeds are deplumed and dried up when they reach the stage of maturity.Out of the total Coffee export from India the highest contribution is from Cochin port

Onam is a traditional ten day harvest festival that marks the homecoming of the mythical King Mahabali. 
The festival is celebrated as a tribute to the sacrifice of King Mahabali.
Every year people make elaborate preparations to welcome their King whom they affectionately call Onathappan. 
They wish to please the spirit of their King by depicting that his people are happy and wish him well. 
The second day, Thiruvonam is the biggest and the most important day of this festival. It is believed that King Mahabali visits his people on the second day.