Ceylon Cinnamon commonly known as True Cinnamon, with its distinctive aroma, is frequently used in
the preparation of baked goods, gourmet dishes, desserts and flavored teas. This versatile spice can be
found in various forms, including Quills, Quilling, Chips and Ground Powder. Moreover, cinnamon can
also be extracted as an essential oil, which has numerous applications, ranging from food and beverage
to fragrance and pharmaceuticals.
Sri Lanka is the source for 90% of the true cinnamon exported around the world and acknowledged for
its medical properties to treat chronic diseases such as diabetes and cancer, given its low coumarin
content
Black Pepper, the King of Spices highly valued globally for its characteristic pungent flavor, is a popular
choice among spice enthusiasts. Due to its high piperine content, Sri Lankan Pepper commands a
premium price in the international market.
Black Pepper grows in different parts of the island throughout the year and is graded based on density,
with the lightest berries used for oil extraction and the heavy berries used for crushing.
Sri Lankan Cloves are greatly acclaimed for its highest quality, both in terms of flavor and aroma. These aromatic flavorful buds are actually the immature flowers of the evergreen Syzygium aromaticum tree, also known as Eugenia caryophyllus, which belongs to the Myrtaceae family. The intense taste of cloves is attributed to the presence of eugenol, a fragrant chemical compound.
Nutmeg is the hard brown seed from the nutmeg tree and has a warm, spicy sweet flavor. Nutmeg is a
common spice in both Asian and Continental cuisine. This spice is also important for producing mace,
which is found as a lacy covering over the seed.
The Sri Lankan nutmeg harvest begins in April and will continue through the entire year depending on
the crop size. This is available with or without a shell.
Mace is the dried lacy, web-like membrane covering from around the nutmeg seed. The layer is
removed and dried, resulting in a shade of fiery red that closely resembles that of saffron.
This comes with a high price tag given the number of nuts needed to harvest a significant amount of
Mace and the time consumed to extract the mace.
Betel Nut is the fruit of the areca palm tree and is often consumed with a betel leaf wrapped and
chewed as its known to aid digestion and in maintaining oral hygiene. Betel nut powder is also used
in toothpaste as a constituent.
Betel nut grows in different parts of the island throughout the year and are carefully harvested and
sundried to preserve its warm and pungent flavor.
Dry Ginger is derived from the root of the ginger plant. What makes Sri Lankan dry ginger unique is its
intense flavor profile, which is the result of a unique combination of factors such as the tropical climate,
soil composition, and harvesting techniques used in Sri Lanka.
The ginger root is carefully harvested and then dried using a special process that involves sun drying and
slow roasting. This process intensifies the flavor of the ginger, giving it a deep, complex taste with hints
of sweetness and warmth.
Sri Lankan turmeric is a versatile spice and unique for its high levels of curcumin, a natural compound
known for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Its vibrant yellow color is a popular natural
food coloring agent.
The turmeric root is carefully harvested, boiled, and dried in the sun to create a potent and flavorful
spice. Sri Lankan turmeric has a warm, slightly bitter taste with a distinct earthy aroma that is often used
in South Asian and Middle Eastern cuisine.