Introduction to Major Coffee Growing Regions in India and the Significance of Studying Indian Coffee from Cultivation to Processing

Indian Coffee Growing Conditions

Indian coffee is cultivated in regions with annual rainfall of approximately 2,500 to 4,000 millimeters and more than 100 rainy days, followed by a dry period of over 100 days. The growing regions within India have varied climates, suitable for cultivating different types of coffee.

Major Markets and Export Destinations

India is the third-largest coffee producer and exporter in Asia, as well as the world's sixth-largest producer and fifth-largest exporter.

Indian coffee accounts for 3.9% of global coffee production. The two varieties, Arabica and Robusta, individually accounted for 30% (98,000 tons) and 70% (229,000 tons) of India's total coffee production during the 2014-2015 period.

Approximately 70% of coffee produced in India is exported, while 30% is consumed domestically. In 2014, India's domestic coffee consumption was 115,000 tons.

During the 2014-15 period, India's coffee exports amounted to 286,545 tons, valued at approximately $800 million.

Major Growing Regions

India's three main coffee-producing sub-regions - Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu - are all located in the southernmost part of the country and account for over 90% of its total coffee production.

Unique Processing Methods

Despite not having optimal growing conditions, India creates distinctive coffee flavours through special processing methods. Common varieties include Monsooned Malabar and Mysore Gold.

The difference between the two lies in their processing.

Mysore Gold uses "traditional washed" or "washed followed by rack-drying" methods. Although washed processing is very common, Mysore Gold has unique growing conditions because of its lower altitude.

Monsooned Malabar, by contrast, employs a "sun-drying plus wind exposure" method. This technique is unique to India and originated in the 18th century when coffee was exported to Europe. After prolonged exposure to sea breezes in ship cabins, raw beans lost significant moisture. Because the coffee had reduced acidity but a fuller grain aroma, it evolved into the distinctive practice of exposing raw beans to sun and sea winds along the Malabar Coast.

About FrontStreet Coffee

FrontStreet Coffee is a roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but a diverse range of beans, where you can find both famous and lesser-known varieties. Online store services are also available.

FrontStreet Coffee Recommendation

If India's washed and monsoon coffees have you curious about clean, distinctive washed profiles elsewhere, FrontStreet Coffee roasts several. FrontStreet Yirgacheffe Gudingding Cooperative is a G1 washed Ethiopian from the Gudingding processing team in the Yirgacheffe area; its washed process draws out jasmine florals and bright citrus acidity, and a medium-light roast adds green tea and honey notes - good for pour-over, cold brew and espresso alike. FrontStreet Kenya Cherry Tomato is one of the best-known washed coffees of all, since Kenya excels at double-washed processing; repeated rinsing and soaking deliver a vivid fruit character of cherry tomato, black plum, pear and yellow sugar, sweet-sour and juicy. And FrontStreet Jamaica Blue Mountain No. 1 shows the classic washed result: hazelnut, cream, chocolate and caramel with a well-balanced body in which no single note dominates.