Many people, when they think of India, think of spices, the Holi festival with its vibrant colors, or the Ganges. But coffee? Traditionally, India is better known for tea, and for a long time, people in India didn't know much about coffee. However, the cultivation rate is now increasing faster than the export rate, and coffee is becoming increasingly popular in the country! Therefore, this week we're dedicating ourselves entirely to coffee from India!
The history of coffee in India
According to legend, the pilgrim Baba Budan brought seven coffee seeds back to India in 1670. He had illicitly taken the seeds from Yemen to Karnataka. One of the country's most important coffee-growing regions is still located there, and a mountain area was named after him: "Bababudangiri." Incidentally, Baba received no punishment, as the number seven is considered sacred in Islam, and his transgression was thus sanctioned as a religious act. Those who don't believe the legend can subscribe to the story that the English colonial rulers brought coffee to India to cultivate it cheaply.
Coffee growing regions from India
As described in our article on coffee origins and coffee-growing countries , coffee grows in the so-called coffee belt, meaning that the coffee-growing regions for India are located in the south. The warm, humid climate near the equator in the Indian highlands is therefore perfectly suited for its cultivation. Besides the Karnataka region, coffee is also grown in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Coffee from India: What is grown there?
Both Arabica and Robusta coffee are grown in India. Robusta coffee thrives in the warmer, lower-lying regions and accounts for 60% of India's total coffee production. It is harvested from February to March. The somewhat more demanding Arabica coffee prefers higher and cooler altitudes. The highest quality and most popular variety is S795. The Catimor variety is also popular. The main harvest takes place from December to January.
Coffee from India: How is it grown?
Since coffee plants thrive in shady conditions, India offers unique growing conditions. A well-defined two-tier mixed shade canopy system is practiced there. This refers to cultivation in mixed-crop environments, creating a broad, two-tiered canopy. Coffee plants often grow in jungle-like forests alongside fig and jambul trees, as well as fruits like mangoes and bananas, and spices such as cardamom and vanilla. The advantage of this mixed-crop system is the preservation of nutrient-rich soils that can withstand the monsoon season. The notes of the fruit trees and spices are also often discernible in the roasted coffee.
Coffee from India: Who grows it?
In India, there are many small farms run by small-scale farmers. These farmers join together to form cooperatives in order to positively influence prices.
Coffee from India: What does it taste like?
Coffee from India is particularly low in acidity, yet very spicy and aromatic. Therefore, it is often used for espresso roasts.
A specialty from India: Monsooned Malabar
Monsoon coffee is the most famous coffee from India. It arose quite by accident, as the coffee beans, transported by ship from India to Europe, were exposed to the heavy monsoon rains. This caused the coffee beans to swell and turn yellowish. Due to the high humidity, the coffee beans developed a mild aroma – some find it musty, though – it's a matter of taste. Although this process can now be prevented by advanced methods, this specialty is still deliberately produced. The coffee sacks are simply left to sit in the warm, humid air of the monsoon season for four months. The name comes from the Malabar Coast in South India – this is where monsoon coffee is grown.
And how do Indians like their coffee?
Since tea is significantly cheaper than coffee, it is still consumed relatively little. 80% of the cultivated tea is exported. The main buyer is Italy, closely followed by Germany.
In the 1940s, coffee in India was still often drunk with chicory. The coffee was diluted with roasted chicory root to make it cheaper. Today, there is indeed a coffee substitute made from chicory, which smells similar and is said to have a caramel-like flavor. These days, Indians generally prefer their coffee with plenty of milk and sugar.
Our coffee from India
Our coffee from India is a beautiful, strong blend of 70% Arabica and 30% Robusta. It's very low in acidity and has notes of hazelnut, chocolate, and caramel. Be sure to try it and let us know what you think!
We hope you were able to add a few more facts to your coffee knowledge this week. Let us know if you've ever tried Monsoon coffee or if you prefer our espresso blend. Until next time!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team
Coffee from India - With the power of the monsoon
Many people, when they think of India, think of spices, the Holi festival with its vibrant colors, or the Ganges. But coffee? Traditionally, India is better known for tea, and for a long time, people in India didn't know much about coffee. However, the cultivation rate is now increasing faster than the export rate, and coffee is becoming increasingly popular in the country! Therefore, this week we're dedicating ourselves entirely to coffee from India!
The history of coffee in India
According to legend, the pilgrim Baba Budan brought seven coffee seeds back to India in 1670. He had illicitly taken the seeds from Yemen to Karnataka. One of the country's most important coffee-growing regions is still located there, and a mountain area was named after him: "Bababudangiri." Incidentally, Baba received no punishment, as the number seven is considered sacred in Islam, and his transgression was thus sanctioned as a religious act. Those who don't believe the legend can subscribe to the story that the English colonial rulers brought coffee to India to cultivate it cheaply.
Coffee growing regions from India
As described in our article on coffee origins and coffee-growing countries , coffee grows in the so-called coffee belt, meaning that the coffee-growing regions for India are located in the south. The warm, humid climate near the equator in the Indian highlands is therefore perfectly suited for its cultivation. Besides the Karnataka region, coffee is also grown in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
Coffee from India: What is grown there?
Both Arabica and Robusta coffee are grown in India. Robusta coffee thrives in the warmer, lower-lying regions and accounts for 60% of India's total coffee production. It is harvested from February to March. The somewhat more demanding Arabica coffee prefers higher and cooler altitudes. The highest quality and most popular variety is S795. The Catimor variety is also popular. The main harvest takes place from December to January.
Coffee from India: How is it grown?
Since coffee plants thrive in shady conditions, India offers unique growing conditions. A well-defined two-tier mixed shade canopy system is practiced there. This refers to cultivation in mixed-crop environments, creating a broad, two-tiered canopy. Coffee plants often grow in jungle-like forests alongside fig and jambul trees, as well as fruits like mangoes and bananas, and spices such as cardamom and vanilla. The advantage of this mixed-crop system is the preservation of nutrient-rich soils that can withstand the monsoon season. The notes of the fruit trees and spices are also often discernible in the roasted coffee.
Coffee from India: Who grows it?
In India, there are many small farms run by small-scale farmers. These farmers join together to form cooperatives in order to positively influence prices.
Coffee from India: What does it taste like?
Coffee from India is particularly low in acidity, yet very spicy and aromatic. Therefore, it is often used for espresso roasts.
A specialty from India: Monsooned Malabar
Monsoon coffee is the most famous coffee from India. It arose quite by accident, as the coffee beans, transported by ship from India to Europe, were exposed to the heavy monsoon rains. This caused the coffee beans to swell and turn yellowish. Due to the high humidity, the coffee beans developed a mild aroma – some find it musty, though – it's a matter of taste. Although this process can now be prevented by advanced methods, this specialty is still deliberately produced. The coffee sacks are simply left to sit in the warm, humid air of the monsoon season for four months. The name comes from the Malabar Coast in South India – this is where monsoon coffee is grown.
And how do Indians like their coffee?
Since tea is significantly cheaper than coffee, it is still consumed relatively little. 80% of the cultivated tea is exported. The main buyer is Italy, closely followed by Germany.
In the 1940s, coffee in India was still often drunk with chicory. The coffee was diluted with roasted chicory root to make it cheaper. Today, there is indeed a coffee substitute made from chicory, which smells similar and is said to have a caramel-like flavor. These days, Indians generally prefer their coffee with plenty of milk and sugar.
Our coffee from India
Our coffee from India is a beautiful, strong blend of 70% Arabica and 30% Robusta. It's very low in acidity and has notes of hazelnut, chocolate, and caramel. Be sure to try it and let us know what you think!
We hope you were able to add a few more facts to your coffee knowledge this week. Let us know if you've ever tried Monsoon coffee or if you prefer our espresso blend. Until next time!
Your SIMON&BEARNS Team