Spices of Matale
A hill district in Sri Lanka's centre known for spice gardens growing cardamom, pepper, clove, nutmeg and cinnamon.
Traded and grown here
Best time: December to April.
Matale lies north of Kandy, in a valley between hills. It is known for spice gardens along the road to Dambulla, where visitors can see cardamom, pepper, clove, nutmeg, vanilla and cinnamon.
Spices and trade
Small growers sell spices and spice products from their gardens. The region also grows cocoa, rubber and coffee, and Matale has long been a farming centre of the central highlands.
The place and its people
The Aluvihare rock temple nearby is where the Pali Canon was written on palm leaves in the first century BCE, according to Sri Lankan tradition.
Visiting
Spice garden visits are easy to arrange, but prices vary. Compare before buying and ask about growing and drying.
A trail idea for Matale
- A spice garden See the plants and processes.
- Aluvihare Rock Temple Visit the cave temple.
- Matale town Look at the market.
- Dambulla Continue to the cave temples.
Written by the EveryMasala desk with AI assistance. Background: "Matale" on Wikipedia. Opening hours, markets and tours change; check locally before travelling. If something is wrong, tell us.
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