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Spice Plantation
 Since
one of the main reasons for taking Goa was to control the spice
trade from the east, the Portuguese must have been pleased to find
that not only were several spices native to the territory, but that
many others could be grown here too. Today spice plantations are
still very much in operation and it's possible to spend an enjoyable
and informative couple of hours visiting one. It is interesting
to see cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom growing alongside pineapples
and papaya, and to learn how they are harvested and prepared for
consumption.
In the tiny village of Savoi Verem, 10km to the north east of Ponda,
is the Spice Plantation (0834) 340243) a setup geared towards the
tourists but nonetheless an interesting place. There is a guided,
preset tour: drinks and local dishes are provided in the shaded
restaurant area. At Rs 300 per head it's hardly a snip, but all
food and drinks when you arrive are included.
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