Sri Lanka has been famous for its spices for centuries, and even today, spices are one of the best things you can take home from the island. From Ceylon cinnamon and black pepper to cloves, cardamom and nutmeg, you will find spices almost everywhere in Sri Lanka.
But where should you actually buy them?
While tourist shops and supermarkets are convenient, they aren’t always the most interesting—or the cheapest, places to shop. If you want good-quality spices, local prices and a more authentic Sri Lankan experience, there are a few places worth knowing about.
Here is our Lanka Uncovered guide to buying spices in Sri Lanka.
1. For Ceylon Cinnamon: Visit Cinnamon Island in Koggala
If there is one spice you should take home from Sri Lanka, make it Ceylon cinnamon.
Sri Lanka is the home of Ceylon cinnamon, often referred to as “true cinnamon.” It is different from the darker, harder cassia cinnamon commonly sold in many other countries. Ceylon cinnamon has a lighter colour, thinner layers and a more delicate flavour. Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board describes the traditional preparation of cinnamon quills as a specialised skill that has been passed down through generations.
And instead of simply buying a packet from a shop, you can actually see how it is made.
Take a Boat Ride to Cinnamon Island, Koggala
If you are travelling along Sri Lanka’s south coast, head to Koggala Lake, between Galle and Weligama.
Boat safaris on Koggala Lake visit its small islands, and one of the most interesting stops is commonly known as Cinnamon Island. Here, you can learn about traditional cinnamon production and see how cinnamon bark is peeled and prepared. Koggala Lake boat excursions that include local island experiences are offered by several operators in the area.
The best part is that the local families involved in cinnamon production also sell cinnamon.
So you are not only buying a souvenir, you get to understand where it came from and how much work goes into producing it.
Lanka Uncovered Tip: If you are staying in Galle, Unawatuna, Ahangama, Weligama or Mirissa, Koggala is easy to include as part of your south-coast trip.
2. For Cheap Spices: Go to Old Moor Street in Pettah
If your priority is price, there is one place we recommend above almost anywhere else:
Old Moor Street, Pettah, Colombo
Pettah is Colombo’s chaotic, colourful commercial heart. Different streets specialise in different products, and Old Moor Street is particularly well known for its spice and commodity trade.
Shops here sell everything from:
- Ceylon cinnamon
- Black pepper
- Cardamom
- Cloves
- Nutmeg
- Cumin
- Fennel
- Fenugreek
- Mustard seeds
- Tamarind
- Dried chillies
- Coriander
Many of the businesses in this area deal with spices in bulk, which is one reason prices can be very competitive compared with tourist-oriented shops. Old Moor Street has long been recognised as one of Pettah’s main hubs for the spice, rice and commodity trade.
Don’t expect a polished tourist market. Pettah is busy, noisy and sometimes overwhelming, but that’s part of the experience.
Walk around, check a few shops and compare prices before buying. If you are purchasing several packets or larger quantities, it may also be worth asking whether they can give you a better price.
Is Pettah Worth Visiting Just for Spices?
If you’re interested in seeing the local side of Colombo, yes.
Pettah isn’t designed for tourists. It is a working commercial district where Sri Lankans shop every day. You might come looking for cinnamon and leave having wandered through streets selling dried foods, fabrics, electronics, jewellery and dozens of things you didn’t expect to find.
For travellers who enjoy markets, it’s an experience in itself.
3. Supermarkets and Shopping Malls: The Easy Option
You don’t necessarily have to visit a traditional market to find good Sri Lankan spices.
Large supermarkets and shops inside Colombo’s shopping malls such as One Galle face, Colombo City Center usually carry neatly packaged cinnamon, pepper, spice mixes and other Sri Lankan products.
This is probably the easiest option if:
- You don’t have much time.
- You prefer sealed and labelled packaging.
- You’re buying spices as gifts.
- You want something easy to pack in your luggage.
The downside is price.
Packaged spices in premium supermarkets, shopping malls and tourist-oriented stores can be noticeably more expensive than buying from spice traders in places such as Pettah.
You’re essentially paying for the convenience, packaging and shopping environment.
That doesn’t mean the quality is bad, in many cases it can be excellent. It simply isn’t usually the cheapest way to buy spices in Sri Lanka.
4. Don’t Forget Kithul Treacle
Technically, this isn’t a spice, but it absolutely deserves a place on your Sri Lankan shopping list.
Kithul treacle, locally known as kithul pani, is a thick syrup traditionally produced from the sap of the kithul palm.
It has a deep, caramel-like flavour and is famously eaten with curd, one of Sri Lanka’s simplest and best-loved desserts.
You’ll see bottles of kithul treacle in supermarkets and souvenir shops around Sri Lanka. However, if your journey takes you further into the countryside, this is where things get more interesting.
Where to Buy Good Kithul Treacle
In the south, keep an eye out for locally produced kithul treacle around areas such as Deniyaya and Neluwa.
These lush inland regions have a long connection with traditional village agriculture, and small roadside shops and local producers can be great places to look for kithul products.
If you have a Sri Lankan driver or local guide with you, ask them where people in the area buy their kithul treacle rather than automatically stopping at a souvenir shop.
That’s often how you find the good stuff.
And while you are there, look for kithul jaggery too, a solid palm sugar produced by further reducing the syrup.
What Spices Should You Buy in Sri Lanka?
If you don’t want to return home with an entire suitcase full of spices, start with these:
Ceylon Cinnamon
This should be number one. Look for thin, tightly rolled quills with multiple delicate layers rather than one thick piece of bark.
Black Pepper
Sri Lankan pepper has a strong aroma and makes an easy, practical souvenir if you cook regularly.
Cardamom
A little goes a long way. It’s great for curries, tea and desserts.
Cloves
Another spice closely associated with Sri Lankan cooking and spice cultivation.
Nutmeg
Whole nutmeg travels well and lasts longer than pre-ground nutmeg.
Sri Lankan Curry Powder
Probably the easiest way to take the flavour of Sri Lankan food home with you. You’ll find both roasted and unroasted curry powders, which are used for different dishes.
How to Recognise Ceylon Cinnamon
One important thing to understand when shopping for cinnamon is the difference between Ceylon cinnamon and cassia.
Ceylon cinnamon is generally lighter in colour and made from many thin, fragile layers of bark rolled together. Cassia tends to be darker, harder, and usually forms a much thicker single curl.
If you’re buying cinnamon in Sri Lanka specifically because you want the famous local variety, ask for:
“Ceylon Cinnamon” or “True Cinnamon.”
For gifts, sealed packaging that clearly identifies the product is the easiest option.
A Final Lanka Uncovered Tip
Don’t treat spice shopping as something you have to leave until the airport.
Some of the most memorable things you can take home from Sri Lanka are found during the journey itself, a bundle of cinnamon from a family on an island in Koggala, a bag of spices from a tiny shop in Pettah, or a bottle of kithul treacle you picked up while travelling through a small southern town.
They aren’t just souvenirs.
They are flavours you will associate with Sri Lanka long after the trip is over.
