Coffee culture

Introduction to Indian Single Estate Specialty Coffee Beans: What Coffee Does India Have Besides Monsooned Malabar?

Published: 2026-01-28 Author: FrontStreet Coffee
Last Updated: 2026/01/28, Professional coffee knowledge exchange For more coffee bean information Please follow Coffee Workshop (WeChat official account cafe_style) Indian Coffee Large quantities of coffee are grown in the Western Ghats region of western India, where the southwest monsoon is crucial for coffee growth there. Besides Karnataka state, excellent coffee is also found in the southwestern Kerala state's Thrissur

Indian Coffee

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

Large quantities of coffee are cultivated in the Western Ghats region of western India, where the southwest monsoon is crucial for coffee growth. In addition to Karnataka state, excellent coffee is also grown in Tellichery and Malabar in the southwestern state of Kerala, as well as in the Nilgiris of the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu (formerly known as Madras Presidency).

The southwestern state of Karnataka is the main producing area, where coffee beans are large in size. Coffee beans from the southeastern state of Tamil Nadu, though smaller, are premium varieties of Indian coffee.

In the traditional coffee market, Indian coffee beans are predominantly monsooned Malabar, or sometimes appear as affordable Arabica in large roasting factories. Their flavor profile has never been particularly popular among coffee enthusiasts. However, among the three Indian varieties we tested this time, the high-altitude single-estate selection was truly impressive—completely shattering the stereotype of traditional Indian coffee beans and instead offering a refreshingly clean character.

Featured Indian Coffee Varieties

• INDIA PL-AAA: From Hancode Estate in Kodagu district, Karnataka state, India, at an altitude of 1,000 meters. Washed processing method, with balanced front, middle, and back sections. Both acidity and sweetness are excellent...

• INDIA PL-SO: From estates in Chikkamagaluru district, Karnataka state, India. The best acidity, with remarkable cleanliness and texture.

• INDIA PL-HA: From Baba Budan Giri mountain in Karnataka state, India, at an altitude of 1,600 meters. According to legend, in 1600 AD, an Indian Muslim named Baba Budan traveled to Mecca for pilgrimage, fell in love with coffee, and hid seven coffee seeds to bring back home. He returned to Chikmagalur in southern India and planted them in the Chandragiri hills. This marked the first successful cultivation of coffee outside Yemen. Later, to honor him, India named this mountain Baba Budan Giri. All three of these Indian coffee varieties possess characteristics of drupe fruits and aromatic woods.

About FrontStreet Coffee

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

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473

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