A Taste of the Hills: Unique Vegetables and Fruits Grown in Munnar

July 28,2025

When most travellers think of Munnar, they picture tea-covered hills, chilly mornings, and the breathtaking Kolukkmalai sunrise, and other attractions in Chinnakanal and Suryanelli. It is rare that people zoom in on Munnar and see its equally charming and exotic vegetables and fruits that flourish in the cool mountain air of Chinnakanal. 

Munnar's high-altitude and idiosyncratic soil support the growth of crops rarely seen in the rest of Kerala. Whether you are purchasing them while strolling through local markets or bringing them home for a farm-to-table meal in the hills, these bountiful harvests tell a story of Munnar's agricultural richness.

The Vegetables and Fruits Grown in Munnar

1. Purple Cabbage and Rainbow Lettuce in Chinnakanal

The purple cabbage and red romaine lettuce are grown in the backyard farms of Chinnakanal. These veggies thrive in the cold breeze sweeping through the Munnar Gap Road. While they are visually compatible with a lot of ingredients on the plate, they are also equally nutritious as they rich in Vitamins C and K and antioxidants. 

2. Passion Fruit and Tree Tomato near Kolukkumalai

You may know Kolukkmalai for its famous sunrise trek and accompanying views, but its nearby land also spouts fruits like passion fruit and tree tomato (tamarillo). These fruits love the altitude, and after ripening under gentle mountain sun, add a zesty twist to the local cuisine.

3.Avocados and Persimmons in Suryanelli

A short drive from Munnar town, the hamlet of Suryanelli is becoming known for its avocado trees and persimmons. Packed with nutrients and gently delicious, these fruits are now finding their place in boutique breakfast menus and local smoothies.

4. Black Carrot and Heirloom Veggies along Gap Road

While driving through the incredibly scenic Munnar Gap Road, you might notice farmers tending to black carrots, rainbow chard, and heritage tomatoes. Once traditional crops and part of sustainable farming, there is now a growing movement amongst local farmers to revive them.

5. Zucchini and Baby Corn in the Western Ghats

Once exotic to India, they are now comfortably at home at Munnar. 

Beyond the Kolukkmalai Sunrise: Homecooked Food at Kolukkumalai Accomodations

 The iconic Kolukkmalai sunrise is not the only thing worth waking up for: there's also the raw flavours of Munnar's hillside vegetables and fruits. From garden-fresh harvests to seasonal specialties, this region is quietly redefining what farm-fresh really means.

And for those who want a delicious home meal with these mountain-grown ingredients simply a quiet meal with mountain-grown ingredients, Accommodations in Munnar provides talented chefs who can do just that for you.