Cooking holiday in Kerala, India

The Midlands of Kerala are the place where spices, food and fruits were naturally grown in homestead forest gardens that were eventually lost to rubber plantations. Spices were moved up to the hills where the forests were cut and plantations were established, thereby damaging the ecosystems in a significant way (monoculture plantations e.g. tea, coffee, pepper and rubber).

Here we are making an effort to bring back the glory of the Midlands by establishing a homestead forest garden (bio organic farming), growing spices in their natural habitat and endeavouring to preserve the recipes of the region. This is quite different and environmentally more aware than growing spices and crops in the cleared forest ranges in the mountains or the dense mangrove forests in the backwaters as a monoculture.

We believe the enjoyment of excellent foods should be combined with efforts to save the countless traditional grains, vegetables, fruits, and milk products that are disappearing due to the prevalence of convenience food and agribusiness.

During this week of cookery classes, we will introduce you to South Indian food as it is cooked at home, far away from restaurants and mass commercial ventures. This helps other communities learn about the wonderful vegetarian options, how to spice a food properly and learn interactively from those who know best! In this way we support the growers of local foods, protect regional gastronomic traditions, safeguard cultivation and processing techniques and protect wildlife species.

Participants will also gain an insight into local traditions and culture, the use of food in local health practices and have the opportunity to experience the ayurvedic medical massage!

We are also trying to conserve the bio diversity of the region by raising lots of medicinal herbs in the garden itself, a self financed economically viable conservation initiative by the family.

We also use solar power for water heating, bio gas for cooking, low energy bulbs in the rooms and outside, minimal use of concrete, hedges for fencing instead of walls and grow bamboo for use on the farm.

The cost of your stay is ploughed back into the farmstay, and all the products and services are locally sourced thereby benefiting the local community.