INDRAVATHI ESTATE, Honey Sun-dried

Indravathi estate is situated in Chikmagalur, home of the Central Indian Coffee Research Institute, and an area known for its dense forests and peacocks. It’s believed that this is the area where legendary Sufi pilgrim Baba Budan planted the seven seeds he smuggled out of Yemen, which became the first coffee trees grown in India.

The estate cultivates a variety of coffees, and you can find Arabica selections 795 & 9, Cauvery and Chandragiri alongside some Canephora, namely Old Peridenia and C x R. The lush forest is at an elevation of 1,200 metres above sea level and the 240 acres it spans are home to over 50 varieties of jungle trees and an abundance of wildlife.

Indravathi has successfully transitioned to organic agricultural practices, established water harvesting ponds, encouraged workers to accept crop damage by wildlife, and increased vermi-compost production. They also have ongoing forest research and wildlife projects.

Chandragiri is a cross between Villa Sarchi, a natural mutation of bourbon, and Hybrid de Timor, the result of a spontaneous cross between arabica and canephora (robusta) on the island of Timor in the 1920s. This semi-dwarf variety was introduced to India in 2007 by the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) and is characterised by drooping branches with loose clusters of cherries which facilitate uniform development. The plant produces relatively long seeds for arabica and exhibits great tolerance to both leaf rust and white stem berry borer as well as a good quality cup profile.

Coffee cherries are hand picked selectively to ensure only the fully mature fruits are harvested. The cherries are mechanically de-pulped to remove the skin and some of the fruit pulp. The pulped seeds are then dried with the sticky, sugary layer of fruit mucilage left attached. This process allows fermentation to continue until the moisture is reduced far enough, and the coffee is spread out on drying beds or patios under the sun and raked regularly to ensure even drying and to prevent mould formation. Depending on the climactic conditions it can take several days or even weeks to dry to a stable level.