Chikmagalur, Karnataka, India | Washed Robusta from Mysore Local Small Farmers

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Chikmagalur, Karnataka, India | The Flavor of Mysore Gold Nuggets, Washed Robusta from Local Small Farmers

Early on, Arabs monopolized coffee cultivation and marketing, selling coffee exclusively to Europe while maintaining strict control over coffee seeds and seedlings. In 1670, an Indian Muslim pilgrim named Baba Budan traveled to Mecca. He discovered coffee at the port of Mocha in Yemen, secretly brought back seven coffee seeds, and planted them in the southern Chickmagalur mountains. Indians commemorate this person by also calling Chickmagalur Mountain "Baba Budan Mountain." Today, Chickmagalur is indeed one of India's most important coffee-producing regions. In 1696, Indian coffee was transplanted to Java, Indonesia, so India began cultivating coffee very early.

Indian coffee cultivation is located in the southern regions, featuring mountainous terrain with ample humidity at altitudes of 800-1600 meters. Few coffee-growing regions in the world possess such rich biodiversity: forests, herbaceous plants, shrubs, flowers and animal communities form a spectacular paradise. Summers are generally tropical, while winters are quite cool, providing the world's best environment for all coffee farmers. Coffee blooming is a spectacular experience worth witnessing in person. Throughout the flowering season, people can see landscapes dotted with white flowers, emitting captivating aromas, with bees and butterflies dancing among them. The entire region is covered in a sea of white coffee flowers, like jewels in the crown of coffee farmers. India's coffee industry is currently dominated by the southern regions, with Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu together accounting for over 90% of the country's coffee production. Currently, about 250,000 people in India cultivate coffee beans, and nearly 80% of the country's coffee production is exported to Germany, Russia, Spain, Belgium, Slovenia, the United States, Japan, Greece, the Netherlands, France, Italy, and other places, with most exported coffee beans transported through the Suez Canal.

India is primarily a tea-drinking country, but its coffee production holds a significant position in the world, producing both Robusta and Arabica varieties. It is also one of the few countries that processes coffee using both washed and natural methods. Indian coffee cultivation is mainly concentrated in the region between the Western Ghats and the Arabian Sea in southern India, with well-known coffees sold under names such as Mysore and Malabar. India's coffee production ranks approximately fifth in the world, primarily cultivated in the area between the Western Ghats mountain range and the Arabian Sea in the southwest, distributed across three major regions: Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu. Both Robusta and Arabica varieties are cultivated, with Robusta being more abundant than Arabica.

India is the only country that simultaneously produces both Robusta and Arabica varieties with both natural and washed processing methods, maintaining consistent supply and continuous commercial output. It also exports specialty-grade Robusta coffee beans. Mysore is located in the Chikmagalur production region of Karnataka State, India, with other relatively large production areas including Biligiri, Coorg, Babundagiri, Chikmalagur, and Shevaroy. Mysore is India's gold mining region and is also rich in coffee beans. Cultivated at an altitude of 1200 meters, the specially selected high-quality washed coffee beans with sizes reaching 18-19 screen are called Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold (translated as Mysore Gold Bricks or Mysore Gold Nuggets in Chinese). Abbreviated as MNEB, these beans are also the highest grade in Indian bean classification (India's official coffee beans are classified by variety, and MNEB is the highest grade among Arabica, specifically plantation-grown arabica). The coffee produced in Mysore is named "Nuggets" (meaning gold blocks or gold bricks), and only washed beans of 18 screen or above that are clean and beautiful can be called Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold.

Mysore Gold Nuggets represent the highest grade officially proposed by the Indian Coffee Board. Because MNEB beans have quite large diameters, the term "Extra Bold" is used to describe their bean size and serves directly as a grading standard. Their sweet flavor and rich aroma enjoy a considerable reputation in Europe. In coffee competitions organized with the assistance of the Indian Coffee Board, Mysore Gold Nuggets have particularly attracted positive evaluation and praise from many international judges. The raw beans are emerald green and complete, with roasted flavors of nuts, woody tea notes, caramel syrup, spices, and a greasy, viscous mouthfeel with a smooth texture. The spice flavor is strong, with floral and fruity aromas in the dry fragrance, prominent ripe fruit flavors, and a quite thick, greasy aftertaste. The aroma is rich, delicate, and sweet.

Flavor Description

Roasted nuts, woody tea notes, spices, creamy greasy texture, smooth mouthfeel.

Production Region

Chikmagalur, Karnataka State

Producer

Local small farmers from Chikmagalur

Variety

Kent (S795)

Grade

Royal MNEB 18-19 screen

Altitude

Average 1,200 meters

Processing Method

Traditional washed processing

FrontStreet Coffee Recommended Brewing

Dripper: Hario V60

Water Temperature: 90°C

Grind Size: Fuji Royal grinder setting 3.5

Brewing Method: Water-to-coffee ratio 1:15, using 15g of coffee. First pour 25g of water for a 25-second bloom. Second pour to 120g, then pause. Wait until the water level in the coffee bed drops to halfway before continuing to pour. Slowly pour until reaching 225g total water. Extraction time approximately 2:00.

Analysis: Using a three-stage brewing method to clearly distinguish the flavors in the front, middle, and back sections of the coffee. Because the V60 has many ribs and drains faster, pausing during pouring can extend the extraction time.

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