Kents the earliest variety of Arabica coffee was selected by an English planter with the same name during the 1920s. It remained popular with farmers until the 1940s due to the lower susceptibility of this particular coffee plant to rust. Although it is currently grown in a few areas only, Kents coffee is known for its exceptional cup quality
The most popular variety of Arabica coffee in India, S.795, was launched in the 1940s. The S.795 coffee plant is known for its superior quality, high yields, bold beans, and better relative tolerance to leaf rust. The S.795 coffee plant was developed using the Kents Arabica coffee plant, known for its top quality. A widely cultivated Arabica variety, it has a balanced cup with the subtle flavor notes of Mocha coffee.
Also known as Catimor, the Cauvery coffee plant is a hybrid descendent of Caturra (a natural mutant of the high-quality Bourbon variety) and Hybrido-de-Timor. The Cauvery coffee plant inherited the superior quality attributes of Caturra and the fierce resistance of Hybrido-de-Timor
The Selection 9 coffee plant is a hybrid between Tafarikela (an Ethiopian Arabica collection) and the sturdy and resistant Hybrido-de-Timor. It boasted of all the superior cup quality traits of Tafarikela. It won the Fine Cup Award for best Arabica at the Flavour of India â?? Cupping Competition 2002 organized by Indian Coffee Board.
Coffee from Anamalais (Tamil Nadu)
Elevation: 1000-1400 m MSL
Rainfall: 2500-3000 mm
Main coffee type: Arabica
The total area under Coffee: 2,500 ha
Average production: 1,500 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Cauvery, Sln.9
Main intercrops: Pepper, Orange, Banana
The Anamalais region is known for its wildlife sanctuaries â?? with spotted leopards and elephants. This medium-altitude mountain range on the southern tip of the Western Ghats experiences high rainfall. The plantations are home to high-grown Arabicas, including the exotic Kents. The Arabicas here are finely grown broad types of coffee beans that are greyish green in color and tend to be more balanced with a strong aroma coupled with citrus essence.
Elevation: 900-1100 m MSL
Rainfall: 1000-1200 mm
Main Indian coffee type: Arabica
The total area under Coffee: 20,000 ha
Average production: 3,100 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Sln.4, San.5, Cauvery
Main intercrops: Pepper, Mango, Jackfruit, Vegetables
Home to colorful parrots, the Araku Valley is situated in the Eastern Ghats of northern Andhra Pradesh and southern Orissa. The development of coffee plantations here is more recent. It has been a boon to the tribal populations here since it has provided them with a viable alternative to their traditional methods of shifting cultivation. Indian Coffee from Araku Valley is characterized by the medium body, medium to sharp acidity, and intense aroma with spicy notes.
Elevation: 1000-1500 m MSL
Rainfall: 1750-2200 mm
Main coffee type: Arabica
The total area under Coffee: 15,000 ha
Average production: 10,500 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Sln.9, Cauvery
Intercrops: Pepper, Cardamom, Arecanut
The birthplace of Indian Coffee, Bababudangiris, is named in honor of the legendary saint Baba Budan1 â?? who brought Coffee to India. With a peak altitude of 1500 meters, the region is frequented by spotted deer. The coffee plantations here produce full-bodied Arabicas, which ripen at a relatively slower pace due to mild weather conditions. The Indian Coffee from these carefully selected beans, which are processed through natural fermentation, has a full-body, acidity, sweet flavor, and unmistakable aroma with a hint of chocolate
Elevation: 1500-2000 m MSL
Rainfall: 1100-1200 mm
Main coffee type: Arabica
The total area under Coffee: 800 ha
Average production: 700-800 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Sln.9, Cauvery
Main intercrops: Orange, Banana, Pepper
Major wildlife presence: Sambar
The literal meaning of Biligiris is white hills, and these hills in south-eastern Karnataka get the name because their peaks are covered with silver clouds and white mist for most of the year. They are among the highest altitude coffee growing regions in India, and the most famous variety coming from this region is the high elevation S.795 Arabica. The Indian Coffee ripens slowly under a mild shade of silver oaks and fruit trees and has a full-body, lovely aroma and a unique sweet flavor
Elevation: 800-1200 m MSL
Rainfall: 1500-2000 mm
Main coffee type: Arabica
The total area under Coffee: 5,000 ha
Average production: 300 MT
Main varieties: S.795, Cauvery
Main intercrops: Pineapple, Pepper, Jackfruit, Vegetables
Indian Coffee is grown in all the eight states of Northeast â?? Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Manipur, Tripura, Sikkim, and Nagaland. The Brahmaputra river â?? which flows across Assam and Arunachal Pradesh â?? is the lifeline of this region, which is home to the mighty one-horned rhinoceros found in Kaziranga National Park. Although current production levels are relatively low, the Arabica coffee from this region is unique with a medium to full body, a uniquely fruity essence, mild degrees of acidity, and a pleasant aroma.
Elevation: 700-1200 m MSL
Rainfall: 1000-4500 mm
Main coffee types: Arabica, Robusta
The total area under coffee: Arabica 37,000 ha, Robusta 23,000 ha
Average production: Arabica 29,000 MT, Robusta â?? 30,000 MT
Main varieties: Arabica S.795, San.5B, Sln.9, Cauvery
Robusta Peridenia, S.274, CXR
Main intercrops: Pepper, Cardamom, Arecanut, Orange, Vanilla
Chikmagalur in Karnataka is especially renowned as a tourist paradise with dense forests and wildlife sanctuaries with (among other species) colorful peacocks apart from substantial coffee plantations. It is home to the Central Indian Coffee Research Institute and is also called the Coffee Country of India. The Arabica beans from this region produce Indian Coffee that has a medium body coupled with light acidity and flavor, and medium to the intense aroma
