Nutmeg Trees in Bedford estate

The nutmeg tree is any of several species of trees in genus Myristica. The most important commercial species is Myristica fragrans, an evergreen tree indigenous to the Banda Islands in the Moluccas (or Spice Islands) of Indonesia. The nutmeg tree is important for two spices derived from the fruit: nutmeg and mace.

Nutmeg is the seed of the tree, roughly egg-shaped and about 20 to 30 mm (0.8 to 1 in) long and 15 to 18 mm (0.6 to 0.7 in) wide, and weighing between 5 and 10 g (0.2 and 0.4 oz) dried, while mace is the dried "lacy" reddish covering or aril of the seed.

The first harvest of nutmeg trees takes place 7–9 years after planting, and the trees reach full production after 20 years. Nutmeg is usually used in powdered form. This is the only tropical fruit that is the source of two different spices. Several other commercial products are also produced from the trees, including essential oils, extracted oleoresins, and nutmeg butter

Cocoa trees in Bedford Estate

Cocoa bean (also cacao bean, often simply cocoa and cacao; the dried and fully fermented fatty seed of Theobroma cacao, from which cocoa solids and cocoa butter are extracted. They are the basis of chocolate, as well as many Mesoamerican foods such as mole sauce and tejate.

A cocoa pod (fruit) has a rough leathery rind about 3 cm thick (this varies with the origin and variety of pod). It is filled with sweet, mucilaginous pulp (called 'baba de cacao' in South America) enclosing 30 to 50 large seeds that are fairly soft and white to a pale lavender color. While seeds are usually white, they become violet or reddish brown during the drying process. The exception is rare varieties of white cacao, in which the seeds remain white. Historically, white cacao was cultivated by the Rama people of Nicaragua.

 Immature cocoa pods have a variety of colors but most often are green, red, or purple, and as they mature their color tends towards yellow or orange, particularly in their creases.  Unlike most fruiting trees, the cacao pod grows directly from the trunk or large branch of a tree rather than from the end of a branch. This makes harvesting by hand easier as most of the pods will not be up in the higher branches. The pods on a tree do not ripen together; harvesting needs to be done periodically through the year.  Harvesting occurs between 3–4 times to weekly during the harvest season.

 The ripe and near-ripe pods, as judged by their color, are harvested from the trunk and branches of the cocoa tree with a curved knife on a long pole. Care must be used when cutting the stem of the pod to avoid injuring the junction of the stem with the tree, as this is where future flowers and pods will emerge.  It is estimated one person can harvest 650 pods per day.

Bedford Estate, Aryankave, Near Palaruvi waterfalls, Kerala

Bedford Rubber Estate

Bedford Estate is located in Aryankavu village in Kollam district near Palaruvi waterfalls 300 foot (91 m) high waterfall waterfall. This estate is situated about 75 Km from Kollam on Kollam - Schencottah National Highway. Estate is situated 2Km rightwards from Muriyan Panchali junction in NH208. It is located inside the wonderful evergreen forest area. The 2Km road from NH208 towards the estate across the evergreen forest is given to the estate for lease by the Government authorities as per 1964 Kerala Highcourt order. The forest area is separated from the estate using boundary stone called "Jenda". Estate is bound by mud walls (Kayyalah) with iron fencing on top.

The estate crops are protected by providing the solar fencing over the iron fencing. The estate is situated near the world famous Wildlife Sanctuary in Thenmala Ecotourism centre. This centre is connected to the famous Ambannadu tea estate which is an amazing sight along with the green forest. This estate lies 85 Km from Thiruvananthapuram airport, 90 Km from Vizhinjam harbour and 135 Km from Sabarimala Ayyappan temple. It is located just 3 Km from Edappalayam railway station. Palaruvi waterfall, Kuttalam waterfall, Ambanadu tea estate, Aryankavu Ayyappan temple are located near this estate. As per the documents, the estate is 76 Acre 57 cent. It contains 6000 Rubber trees which are currently being tapped since 3 years, 6000 new rubber trees of RR1, 430, 414, 105 planted which can be tapped in next 3 years, 600 coconut trees, 600 Cocoa trees, 500 Teak trees of 15 years old, 25 jackfruit trees, Arecanut trees, clove trees, black pepper etc.

Estate contains 5 big ponds and hence no scarcity of water throughout the year. Water for the coconut trees are fed through the sprinklers. Estate also includes a cattle shed which can accomodate more than 40 cattles, a shed which can accomodate more than 250 sheeps, cages which can accomodate more than 1000 chickens etc. The estate also has labour quarters which can accomodate 10 families, a guest house, store room, smoke house etc. A project for Stone Crusher unit can also be established here since rock is available. Vehicle transportation is possible throughout the estate. These unique features make this estate one of the top destination with good weather and numerous colourful events.