Coffee culture

Regional Flavor Characteristics of India's Monsooned Malabar Coffee: The Origin Story of Indian Monsooned Coffee

Published: 2026-01-27 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/27, Professional coffee knowledge exchange and more coffee bean information. Please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style). India Coffee - The Romance of Indian Coffee: The cultivation history of Indian coffee, according to tradition, began when the Islamic pilgrim Baba Budan first brought coffee seedlings out of the Arab world in 1650 AD, planting them in Chickmagalur (located in the Karnataka region) of South India.

Professional coffee knowledge exchange. For more coffee bean information, please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account: cafe_style).

Indian Coffee Culture

The cultivation history of Indian coffee, according to legend, began in 1650 AD when the Islamic pilgrim Baba Budan first brought coffee seedlings out of the Arab world and successfully cultivated them in Chickmagalur (located in the Karnataka region) of southern India! To this day, coffee produced in this region still holds a significant position among India's Arabica varieties!

India's coffee production ranks approximately fifth in the world and is the only country that simultaneously produces both Robusta and Arabica varieties with both natural and washed processing methods, while maintaining consistent supply and continuous commercial export.

Indian coffee flavor features the Jayanti Plantation AA from the ancient growing region of Chickmagalur. These beans come from India's oldest growing region—the very place where the sage Baba Budan brought coffee for cultivation. The beans exhibit excellent viscosity and optimal mouthfeel. When used as a base for blending, they offer remarkable balance and clarity. The moderate acidity carries appropriate sweetness without being too sharp, with distinct layers of rich cocoa and nutty flavors, along with unique Indian spice aromas that add mysterious charm to this coffee.

The "Beautiful Mistake" in Indian Coffee History

Creating the Monsooned Coffee with Special Historical Flavor

In the early days of the great maritime exploration period, Indian coffee had to be transported to Europe, taking more than half a year to arrive. During long periods in the humid and hot environment of ship cabins, coffee beans gradually underwent significant changes in flavor characteristics and color. After months of sea breezes, the beans turned yellow, and the coffee's natural acidity decreased considerably, creating a very unique taste profile.

Later, with the opening of canals and the Industrial Revolution, voyage times were greatly reduced and storage conditions improved significantly. However, this led many Europeans to miss the "flavor-altered" coffee influenced by sea breezes.

Today's monsooned coffee is produced in processing plants along India's western coast. All facilities face west to capture the salty, humid monsoon winds blowing from the southwest sea. Making monsooned coffee is quite time-consuming and labor-intensive, with the monsooning period lasting approximately twelve to sixteen weeks.

Roast Level: Vienna Roast

Suitable Brewing Methods

American drip/siphon/pour-over/Moka pot/Espresso and other brewing methods.

Recommended Products

Iced coffee/Cappuccino/Latte/Specialty coffee (suitable for both hot and cold) and more.

FrontStreet Coffee: A roastery in Guangzhou with a small shop but diverse bean varieties, where you can find both famous and lesser-known beans, while also providing online store services. https://shop104210103.taobao.com

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