Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Other Great Finds
It's little surprise that Indian spices are snapped up by tourists. Virtually all towns have
shops and bazaars selling locally made spices at great prices. Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil
Nadu produce most of the spices that go into
garam masala
(the 'hot mix' used to flavour
Indian dishes), while the Northeast States and Sikkim are known for black cardamom and
cinnamon bark. Note that some countries, such as Australia, have stringent rules regarding
the import of animal and plant products. Check with your country's embassy for details.
Shops selling attar (essential oil, mostly made from flowers) can be found around the
country. Mysore in Karnataka is famous for its sandalwood oil, while Mumbai is a major
centre for the trade of traditional fragrances, including valuable
oud,
made from a rare
mould that grows on the bark of the agarwood tree. In Tamil Nadu, Ooty (Udhagaman-
dalam) and Kodaikanal produce aromatic and medicinal oils from herbs, flowers and euca-
lyptus.
Indian incense is exported worldwide, with Bengaluru and Mysore, both in Karnataka,
being major producers. Incense from Auroville in Tamil Nadu is also well regarded.
Meanwhile, a speciality of Goa is feni (liquor distilled from coconut milk or cashews) -
it's a head-spinning spirit that often comes in decorative bottles.
Quality Indian tea can be found in centres such as Munnar in Kerala. There are also
commendable tea retailers in major South Indian cities.
Artisans in Jammu and Kashmir have been producing lacquered papier mâché for centur-
ies, and papier-mâché bowls, boxes, letter holders, coasters, trays and Christmas decora-
tions are now sold right across India.
Fine-quality handmade paper - often fashioned into cards, boxes and notebooks - is
worth seeking out. Puducherry (Pondicherry) in Tamil Nadu and Mumbai are good places
to start.
India has a phenomenal range of books at very competitive prices, including leather-
bound titles. Asian Educational Services publishes old (from the 17th century) and out-of-
stock titles in original typeface.
