Spices have been integral to Keralas history. Vasco da Gama came to Kozhikode and returned to Portugal with a shipment of Indian spices. Cardamom, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, pepper, vanilla, ginger and turmeric are the main spices grown in the state which has taken to "spice tourism" on a mega scale.
 
Kerala Tourism has been conducting training programmes on spices to promote spice tourism as another unique product among the tourists.Spice tourism is of benefit to both the tourism industry as well as the tourists.The tourists get to visit spice farms and gardens and are provided knowledge on the different spices grown in the state, spice processing practices, grading methods, effective packaging,quality control methods,etc.

The training programme on spices offers an opportunity to visit the fastest growing tourist destination in the country and spend part of the time to learn about spices. The objective is to familiarise the world of spices to those in the hospitality sector, especially chefs, students of Home Science,businessmen who are in the spice business and employees of spice processing companies/firms.Today the spice industry is a major source of revenue in Kerala.