The Aromatic Spice Plantations of Goa

Spice Plantation in Goa

Spices like Black pepper, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Cloves, Chillies, Coriander, Cashew, Betel nut palm are the major spices grown in Goa spice plantations. One can view the locals who climb the betel nut palm with relative ease and then swing the hollow palm to move to another tree. Also you are bound to taste the local drink the stronger fenni or the milder variant made out of the cashew fruit straight from the small distillery.

The Goa spice plantations also are famous for a variety of tropical fruits like Custard apples, Papaya, Bananas, Pineapples, Citrus fruits. Most spice plantation also grows a very rare spice like vanilla. One spice plantation grows a range of medicinal herbs on the high altitudes of the mountains.

The Farms

1. Sahakari Spice Farm
Located at a distance of just 2 kilometers from Ponda, the Sahakari spice plantation is famous for its farms and grows many fruits. One of the most unique spices grown here is vanilla. The farm is spread over 130 acres and also has two small streams flowing right through.
Location: NH4A, Curti, 3.5 km from the Shantadurga Temple at Kavlem and 2 km from Ponda.

2. Abyss Spice Farm
This spice plantation is located on high mountains amidst stunning surroundings near Ponda. Many tourists visit the Abyss spice plantation as it is famous for the medicinal herbs that are grown over here on a large scale.
Location: Sai Farm, Savoi Verem, Ponda.

3. Savoi Spice Plantation
This spice plantation is located at a distance of around 10 kilometers from Ponda. The main spices grown here are cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, turmeric, ginger, basil, nutmeg and pepper plantations. The cashew distillation unit is an added attraction here.
Location: Savoi Verem is off NH4A, 13 km down NH4A from Old Goa, Turn left at Banastarim to Marcela, from where the farm is 6 km away.

4. Pascoal Spice Village
Pascoal Organic Spice Village is primarily surrounded by a forest and is situated on the banks of river Khandepar that originates from the famous Dudhsagar falls. At the Pascoal Spice Village the plantation grown are vanilla, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, chillies, nutmeg, turmeric & ginger. There is a large plant nursery with several bonsais. Watch the cuckoos, owls, hornbills and parrots flock to the trees that are present on the farm.
Location: Off NH4A, Khadepar.

5. Tropical Spice Plantation
Apart from spices, cashew and areca plantations the Tropical Spice Plantation also have medicinal plants like aloe-vera and neem. After a guided tour to the plantation you can take a boat ride in the lake if you are here between October and April. Enjoy the authentic Goan cuisine served during lunch with Lemon grass tea, beer and feni to wash down the fish and chicken curries.
Location: Keri, 6 km from Ponda and 6 km from Mahalsa Temple at Mardol.

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