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What to buy: Pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, ginger, nutmeg, cashews, and some other things I can’t identify grow in Coorg, domestically and wild. There are shops everywhere in the center of town selling them in all size packages, and in the outskirts selling them in bulk; it all comes from the same places, so it’s probably all comparable quality. They’re all inexpensive.
Updated Jun 10, 2006
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What to buy: One of few places in the world you’re justified in buying a machete as a souvenir. Coorg has a long martial history, and the single item most unique to the region appears to be knives. Plus very long guns that I haven’t seen for sale, but I have seen people carrying. (For hunting, not everywhere like in Texas.)
The bent knife in the photo is decorative. The real ones are about two feet long, quite heavy and sharp, sometimes with elaborate ivory (old) or wood (modern) handles, and even if you could buy one you would probably have a hard time getting it out of India or into a western country. The one pictured is smaller (perhaps 14 inches) and lighter, not sharp, and the handle isn’t sturdy enough to make it useable. More than once or twice, anyway. You can buy the decorative ones for about US$15 at some of the shops that sell Coorg specialties (coffee, spices). I think the real ones are available at plantation supply stores. People use the real ones for everything – chopping trees, cutting fabric, peeling vegetables…
The knife in the silver sheath is a dress item, part of the outfit Coorgi men wear on festive occasions like weddings. The blades are functional if you have them sharpened (they are used to cut coconuts during wedding ceremonies), but the sheath and handle are the important parts. These are available at jewelry shops, and the cost fluctuates depending on the amount of silver and gold used in the designs and the relative cost of these when you buy. Plan on about US$350 for something like the one in the photo with high-quality finishing (June, 2006).
Updated Jun 10, 2006
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What to buy: Coorg is known for its coffee plantations and estates, and the coffee grown here is wonderful. Both Arabica and Robusto are available as raw or roasted beans or ground into powder. You can buy it just about everywhere in Madikeri.
The lower elevation plantations are supposed to be better for growing coffee, so if you’re a real aficionado you should ask around. Sometimes individual farmers grow it too, in less-desirable patches, and you can buy a little from them. The satisfaction of meeting the person who owns, grows, picks, and roasts what you’re buying makes up for the possibly marginally lower quality. I couldn’t tell the difference in taste.
From shops, the June 2006 price was about 140 rupees per kilo, but the price fluctuates somewhat based on world prices.
Written Jun 10, 2006
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What to buy: Coorg honey is sold all over India, and it’s very tasty. There’s just the one kind as far as I can tell, not the boutique, single-flower variety you see sometimes (although I wonder what “orchid honey” would taste like?).
My landlord sent me to the Coorg Progressive Bee-keeper’s Co-operative Society, Ltd. for mine, but you can get it anywhere. I liked this shop because while I was there some bee-keepers came in with honey in rum and brandy bottles, which the guy behind to counter poured into a bottling device. Location: almost exactly opposite the road winding up to the fort there’s a small road winding downhill. On the right, inside the retaining wall of the stores above, there’s a door. That’s it.
What to pay: Less than US$1 for 100g; about US1.50 for 200g at the co-operative (if you bring your own containers it's a little less).
Written Jun 7, 2006
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Reviews and photos of Madikeri attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Madikeri sightseeing.
Coorg honey is sold all over India, and it’s very tasty. There’s just the one kind as far as I can tell, not the boutique, single-flower variety you see...
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COORG-The Land of the Kadagu Kodavas
According to Puranic versions the land of initial settlement was called Krodadesa which later became Kodavu. It is also said that Kodagu is derived from the word Kodava, Kod means 'give' and avva...
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Bangaloreans have been making this hill station a weekend getaway since forever, but it’s just now becoming known further abroad. Geographically Madikeri is in Coorg (Kodagu), in the south-west corner...
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Also known as Kodagu, this district of karnataka is famous for its coffee and orange orchards. Situated at a distance of around 250 kms from bangalore, it makes for an easy weekend getaway from here...
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Madikeri, the capital of Coorg or Kodagu district
I've got some interesting experiences in Madikeri. I'd love to share with you the 2 tips I've written, the 9 photos uploaded, and 1 travelogue I've created.
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I've got some interesting experiences in Madikeri. I'd love to share with you the 0 tips I've written, the 2 photos uploaded, and 0 travelogues I've created.
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