Coffee…the very mention of it means more and more mugs of steaming frothy coffee with some snacks snuggled up in the bed with a favourite book and some good music – pure bliss! Be it hot or cold, served black or with loads of milk, each one has their own way of making this drink their own. Contrary to popular beliefs, a lot of people do drink coffee across India. Yes, production is restricted to the southern areas and probably the best is the the filter coffee with piping hot idly served in South Indian restaurants all across.
Before you get on to the coffee growing regions in India and coffee plantations, here are some facts about coffee that you should know-
India is the 6th largest country in the world that grows coffee after Brazil, Colombia, Vietnam, Indonesia and Ethiopia. An estimated of 318,000 tones of coffee is grown at a value of Rs 47 billion.
Karnataka is the largest scale berry area in the country. India has production of both Arabica and Robusta coffee varieties.
Karnataka grows about 58% of the coffee with Kerala growing about 22 and Tamily Nadu about 8%. The other nontraditional areas where coffee plantations exist include Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and North-East India.
Coffee (robusta) is also traded as futures on MCX and NCDEX commodity exchanges.
History of Coffee in India
Coffee came to India accidentally. It was this wonderful mistake that led to production of coffee in the country, especially southern regions.
Coffee Plantation in India
Monsooned Malabar AA
Reading this name you would assume that the Monsooned Malabar AA is exclusive to India, but that is really not the case. Centuries ago, coffee beans came to India accidentally. The beans were being transported in one of the European ships. It sure was a pleasant accident because it gave India a taste of something that would be relished forever. The coffee beans started to swell up as a result of the monsoon winds. They changed color and became more intense. Not only did it change the taste of the coffee but also gave it a bigger nod by the connoisseurs. This led to production of the Monsooned Malabar AA world-famous specialty coffee.
Monsooned coffee beans tend to get swollen as a result of the moisture. The curing treatment that coffee beans get natural because of the monsoon wind in the West Coast of Southern India works well for these beans. Though the curing makes it more aggressive, it also adds a mellow flavor. This reduces the acidity in the flavor and adds a heavy flatness, which makes the beans more delicious. Only dry variety of both Robusta and Arabica are used for this process. Monsooned Malabar AA is the highest grade of this coffee.
Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold
These Arabic exotic beans are all about the majestic Chamundi Hills of Mysore. These beans are large in size, rare and also one of the most premium coffees available today. The exotic coffee is prepared after washing the exotic Arabic beans, which are common in the region of Chikmagalur, Coorg, Biligiris, Bababudangiris and Shevaroys. They almost have a blue-green color in appearance but when served in a cup all that you get is an aromatic thrill. The medium bodied coffee beans offer a distinct and acidic flavor with a light tinge of spice.
Robusta Kaapi Royale
Kappi is considered to be one of the most premium and royal coffees of the country. It is made using Robusta beans and the making process is elongated and specialized. It is made using only the Robusta Parchment AB found in the areas of Coorg, Wayanad, Chikmagalur and Travancore. These bold beans have rounded shapes but pointed ends. They are greyish or bluish incisor and have a full body with mellow flavor.