9+ Best Things To Buy in Munnar (With Local Recommendations)

Munnar is well-known for its vast tea, coffee, and spice plantations. It is surrounded by mountains, valleys, waterfalls, and lakes. Munnar was called “High Range of Travancore”, and served as the British summer retreat. If you are a shopaholic, you will enjoy shopping in Munnar. Here is our pick of the best things to buy in Munnar from some of the best local markets and shopping spots in Munnar which can make perfect souvenirs for friends and relatives back home.

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The local markets are one of the best places to soak in the atmosphere of a town. You can enjoy window shopping or drink a cup of coffee or tea at a local cafe while watching the hustle and bustle of Munnar markets.

1. Authentic Spices of Kerala

Kerala has been considered the center of the Indian spice trade for centuries. Munnar is called India’s spice library, and spices like nutmeg, ginger, clove, cinnamon, pepper, vanilla,  turmeric  and cardamom are among the best things to buy in Munnar. You are sure to see large spice estates while sightseeing around Munnar. Be sure to buy the finest spices while shopping in Munnar.

Munnar spices are of higher quality than those available at your local grocery store. You have the option of grinding your spices. You can buy spices like black pepper, ginger, garlic, cinnamon, clove, vanilla, nutmeg, cardamom, red chilies, and turmeric.

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2. Fresh Tea from Tea Plantations

Munnar has several tea gardens. The best Munnar specialty to bring home with you is tea. British established tea gardens in Munnar because of their favorable climatic conditions. The tea grown here is highly flavored and aromatic. The tea in Munnar has a superior texture and quality compared to tea grown in other parts of the country.

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A visit to Munnar is incomplete without purchasing some tea. Green tea, black tea, and oolong tea are available options. You can buy tea from retail outlets of tea plantations or in the local market. Most plantations offer samples to help you decide.

3. Homemade Chocolates

You do not associate India with chocolates. Munnar is known to produce some of the best handmade chocolates in the country. There is an assortment of chocolates available, white, dark, and nut-filled chocolates are some of the top-selling chocolates. In addition to being excellent treats for yourself these are excellent gifts for people back home.

If you want to buy some unusual flavors, you can opt for peach, blueberry, strawberry, and almond. The chocolates are reasonably priced and can be the perfect gift for your loved ones. A kilogram of chocolates can cost anywhere from Rs. 400 to Rs. 600/-.

4. Coffee

There are several coffee plantations in and around Munnar. Kerala produces two major types of coffee – Robusta and Arabica. The flavor is strong and aromatic. You can purchase coffee from the factory outlets or local stores.

5. Pure Aromatic Oils

The benefits of aroma therapy are well-known. Munnar produces some of the finest aromatic oils but it is not so famous for these oils like tea or coffee. Kerala is renowned for its incredible selection of aromatic oils and is mainly used for therapeutic purposes. Though not as popular as tea and chocolates, aromatic oils are one of the best things to buy in Munnar. Eucalyptus oils are extremely popular in Munnar.

6. Naturally dyed traditional Kerala clothes

Natural dyes are made from leaves, roots, petals, and other raw materials from Munnar forests and vegetation. Artists use dyes to make elaborate patterns and motifs on fabrics and clothing with block printing techniques. You can buy sarees, shawls, dress fabrics, and other clothing items in Munnar.

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7. Handmade paper and greeting cards

Handmade paper has become very popular. You can purchase beautiful handmade paper and greeting cards made by handicapped children of plantation workers. You can purchase the cards from the Tata Shristi Welfare Center.

Munnar is a shopping paradise for anyone who enjoys shopping, offering a variety of unique and locally produced goods. The hill station is well known for its tea, spices, chocolates, coffee, aromatic oils, and traditional attire, which are great souvenirs and gifts. You can purchase your items while exploring local markets or a stay at tea, coffee, or spice plantations.

8. Handicrafts

Munnar is one of the best places to buy traditional Kerala handicrafts and clothing with vibrant colors and intricate designs. Kerala is well known for the handcrafted saris, shirts, stoles and shawls. These fabrics are dyed using natural colors derived from plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables. Natural  Dying ensures that the fabric is safe to wear and does not harm the environment. In Munnar you can add to your wardrobe if you are looking for something unique and special to add a taste of tradition to your wardrobe.

9. Fresh Fruits and Jams

Munnar is famous for strawberry jams that has been made from the homegrown strawberries . The jams are freshly preserved to taste natural. Kanthalloor near Munnar is famous as the land of Fruits. Luscious, farm-fresh strawberries and other ffruitss are available year round in Munnar and these fruits are hand-picked from the misty Kanan Devan hills to preserve the natural aroma. There is a plant Nullatanni Estate of Munnar to manufacture jams without adding any preservatives or coloring agents. Jams and Fruits in Munnar provides natural and delicious taste of strawberry and other fruits.

ALSO SEE – Kanthalloor- The Land of Fruits in Munnar

Munnar unlike other tourist destinations is not a modern shopping paradise. However the best things to buy in Munnar are very much unique to Munnar and you may not get in any other parts of the world.