Category Archives: Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

Coffee Festival back after four years

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), World Opinion

INDIA COFFEEKF04feb2014
Bangalore:

The fifth edition of the India International Coffee Festival (IICF 2014) is back in Bangalore after a hiatus of four years, after making its mark felt in New Delhi, a non-traditional coffee market in 2012.

Organised by the India Coffee Trust with the support of the Coffee Board of India, the theme of this biennial conference “The changing face of coffee” will be held at The Lalit Ashok from January 21-25 is reflective of the increasing popularity of the retail coffee culture spreading across the country.

Visitors to IICF 2014 will be treated to an exposition of the latest technologies and products by 60 leading coffee companies both national and international, including instant coffee makers of India, café chains and leading product/farm equipment companies.

“Per capita (per person, per annum) coffee consumption in India is just 90 gm compared to 4-5 kg in developed markets like the US and Europe, and is the highest, at 12 kg in Finland. While the coffee industry in India is doing very well with exports going up by 33 per cent in the last quarter of 2013 compared to the previous year, we are also focused on promoting coffee consumption within the country, which is currently at 1.2 lakh tonnes per annum. I hope the IICF attracts more investments in the Indian Coffee Industry,” said Jawaid Akhtar, Chairman Coffee Board of India.

Forty-one global experts from the industry, including Roberio Oliveira Silva, former Director, International Coffee Organisation, Deverl Maserang, Ex-Vice President, Starbucks, Prof Jaakko Tuomilehto, University of Helsinki, and some 900 delegates are expected to attend.

The five-day event will host workshops on the first two days on themes like brewing coffee by espresso method, advanced roasting skills, brewing filter coffee etc. Conference sessions on marketing and production trends, a workshop on coffee entrepreneurship, coffee awards to recognise best exporters, roasters, curers, best coffees and best Baristas will also be presented. For the first time, a national Coffee Quiz, which attracted over one lakh participants from across the country, will have the six finalists competing for the award.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / January 21st, 2014

India to celebrate international coffee festival at Bangalore

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), World Opinion

India is known to be one of the top coffee bean producing country and it is exported to Italy, Russia and Germany. With the prices for arabica bean falling, Indian indigenous arabica coffee which constitute 1/3 of the total coffee production face stiff competition.

RNA Research & Archives
RNA Research & Archives

India is known to be one of the top coffee bean producing country and exports to Italy, Russia and Germany. With the prices for Arabica bean falling, Indian indigenous arabica coffee which constitute 1/3 of the total coffee production face stiff competition in terms of revenues.

One way to beat this would be taking popularity of Indian beans to an international platform and the Indian Coffee board plans to exactly achieve this by announcing a coffee festival in Bangalore.

One can expect an array of events to promote the coffee bean. From the basic strong scented ‘Kaapi’ to the extravagant Cappuchino, India will promote its diverse beverage at the platform.

This will be held between 21st to 25th January and around 12,000 visitors are expected to participate in the event.

“Indian coffee, grown under tree shade, is very popular in the international markets,” said Jawaid Akhtar, chairman of the government-run Coffee Board of India as quoted in a BBC report.

In 2013, India’s coffee exports rose marginally by nearly 3% to 3.14 lakh tonnes in 2013 on the back of sharp jump in re-export of instant coffee, despite sluggish global prices, according to the Coffee Board report presented to the media.

The country had exported 3.05 lakh tonnes of coffee in the previous calender year and this opportunity will help India improve its standing in the global market.

The oldest coffee chain in India is Cafe Coffee day while the latest entrant is Starbucks-Tata alliance and Indian coffee-mongers are definitely lapping up the options and variety.
CoffeeFestivalKF04fen2014
What to expect at the event:

The event will focus on issues of health aspects of coffee and innovative and alternate channels of coffee delivery to consumers.

There will be workshops on processing, brewing, roasting, espresso making, cooking with coffee, art on silk and coffee entrepreneurship.

A trip to Coorg, called ‘Coffee Trail to Coorg,’ will be conducted at the end of the festival as per the Coffee board website.

The first three editions of the festival were held in Bangalore, the traditional coffee capital of the country, whereas the fourth edition was organised in Delhi.

So, book your entries and head to Bangalore for some hot cup of coffee.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Money / by Vishal Manve / Sunday – January 19th, 2014

Coffee Board of India reconstituted

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

coffeeindiabboadKF30jan2014
After a slight delay of two months, the Coffee Board of India has been reconstituted in a reshuffle that occurs once every three years.

Many new faces have been added into the group that will oversee all aspects of coffee production from the world’s fifth biggest provider.

The board is set to consist of more than fifty people a notice from The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry stated in a notice to local press that was released earlier on in the week. The changes in personnel will be in effect until January 2016.

The divisions of the board are to be revised, with the addition of many specialist representatives to work with certain sectors of the nation’s coffee industry. These include;

Large growers – to ensure that the needs and interests of major farms and coffee growing regions are overseen, to protect and invest in future production.

Traders – to focus upon current, topical events such as financial trends, climate change and other variable aspects of business.

Labour – to maintain a strong and skilled workforce in the field, ensuring that labourers’ interests are maintained in line with the increased competition from technological industries. To continue to offer a fair and reasonable working wage.

Consumer – to keep an eye on finances and to try and direct the growers, providers and businesses into receiving the best price for their produce.

Instant coffee – a much small area of concern, but to look after the interest of manufacturers in the Indian instant coffee market.

The Coffee Board of India appear to have meticulously planned it’s structure for the coming years and with coffee gradually becoming an influential commodity in the southern area of the country, the time spent pouring over the structure should, hopefully, pay dividends.

The Coffee Board of India is an autonomous body, functioning under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. The Board serves as a friend, philosopher and a guide to the entire coffee industry in the nation. Set up under an Act of the Parliament in 1942, the Board focuses on research, development, extension, quality, progress, market information, and the domestic and external promotion of the coffees produced and grown in India.

source: http://www.worldcoffeepress.com / World Coffee Press / Home / by Steve / Thursday – January 16th, 2014

A weekend filled with coffee and art

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

The santhe is a precursor to the India International Coffee Festival./ File Photo: H. Vibhu
The santhe is a precursor to the India International Coffee Festival./ File Photo: H. Vibhu

BMRCL wants to create a cultural hub at the Rangoli Metro Arts Centre

This weekend, take a stroll down the M.G. Road boulevard, home to the Rangoli Metro Arts Centre. Get reintroduced to the coffee bean, learn more about the art of coffee — right from the plant to its energising beverage form — shop for not just coffee powder but also jewellery made of coffee beans, and peek into the coffee museum.

Organised by the Women’s Coffee Alliance India, a coffee lover’s collective that aims at empowering less privileged women in the coffee production chain, the event, ‘Coffee Santhe’, is slated to be held on January 11 and 12 between 2.30 and 8.30 p.m. Events include displays on coffee and beans, arts and crafts competitions for children, and a latte art competition, said Sunalini Menon, coffee quality control expert. “People don’t even know what a coffee plant looks like. We’re also selling coffee plants such as the Robusta and Arabica varieties,” she said.

The santhe is a precursor to the India International Coffee Festival, to be held from January 21 to 26 in the city, organised by India Coffee Trust and the Coffee Board.

Other events to be held over the weekend include storytelling by Deeptha Vivekanand, a storyteller from Ever After, who will perform at the Rangasthala Auditorium. Held along with the Kid and Parent Foundation, the sessions will be held on the second and fourth Saturday of every month. Also on the schedule are interactions with septuagenarian Malathi Rao, who will entertain children with her vast knowledge trove, and a photo exhibition organised by the Akshaya Patra Foundation featuring photographs of children.

Vasanth Rao, general manager (finance) at Bangalore Metro Rail Corporation Ltd., said the plan is to transform this stretch into a vibrant arts and cultural hub. “We are clear we do not want to feature any social/political activism. This should be a place that showcases excellence, and we want it to explore more niches and give people an unusual experience,” he said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> Cities> Bangalore / by Staff Reporter / Bangalore – January 11th, 2014

International coffee fest to be held in Bangalore from Jan 21

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

New Delhi :

The 5th India International Coffee Festival, the flagship event of the coffee sector, will be held in Bangalore from January 21-25.

The event is being organised by the India Coffee Trust and promoted by the state-run Coffee Board of the Union Commerce Ministry. About 1,000 delegates and 10,000 visitors are expected to participate.

“We have two additions to the event: there will be ’Launchpad’ for launching new blends, products, services and technologies. The other would be coffee themed quiz,” Coffee Board Chairman Jawaid Akhtar told reporters here.

For the first time, the Board will give away the ‘Barista Championship’ awards for best roaster, curer, exhibitor and for latte art, he added.

With the ‘Changing Face of Coffee’ as theme of the festival, the event would comprise of conference and exhibition on the coffee sector.

The conference aims to capture the changes taking place in the coffee sector and will discuss current trends related to production as well as take a close look at the prevailing market scenario.

It will focus on issues such as health aspects of coffee, innovative and alternate channels of coffee delivery to consumer among others.

There will be workshops on processing, brewing, roasting, espresso making, cooking with coffee, art on silk and coffee entrepreneurship.

A trip to Coorg, called ‘Coffee Trail to Coorg,’ will be conducted at the end of the festival.

The first three editions of the festival were held in Bangalore, the traditional coffee capital of the country, whereas the fourth edition was organised in Delhi.

Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu are the major coffee producing states in the country.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home / by PTI / New Delhi – January 09th, 2014

National Barista championship

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

Coffee Board of India will organise the National Barista Championship from January 16 to 18 in the city to identify technically skilled and best Baristas in the profession.

According to a release from the Coffee Board of India, the competition will focus on promoting professional excellence in coffee value chain, strengthen and encourage skill development and also promote the Café Culture in India. The event is being conducted also because there are many café chains coming up in the city and this is becoming another profession option for youngsters. The event will be hosted at Mantri Square, Sampige Road, Malleswaram.

The final round of the championship will be held on January 24, during the India International Coffee Festival 2014 at Hotel Lalit Ashok here. The event will be conducted as per the rules and regulations of World Barista Championship.

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> State / Bangalore, DHNS – January 14th, 2014

Coffee Board reconstituted

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

Bangalore :

The Coffee Board has been reconstituted after a two-month delay.

Many new faces figure in the revamp, which happens once in three years.

The Union Ministry of Commerce and Industry through a Gazette Notification dated January 6 has announced the revamped board that will be in place till three years from January 6 to January 5, 2016.

According to the notification, N.K. Pradeep, Shri Nandi Estate, Chekanahally Belur Taluk, Hassan, Karnataka; Anil Kumar Bhandari, Suntikoppa, Kodagu, Karnataka; Immanuel T. Rampuram, Chatnahalli Estate, Siddapura South Kodagu, Karnataka will represent large growers.

Jabir Asghar, Bangalore, Karnataka; B.S. Jayaram, Bidarahalli Post, Mudigere Taluk, Chikmaglur, Karnataka; D.M. Vijay, Hangaravalli Post Aldur, Chikmagalur, Karnataka; A. Thara Aiyamma, Neela Estate, Balele, Kodagu, Karnataka; Vijay Jagirdar, Bangalore, Karnataka; Vasantha Lakshmi Narayana, Near Andhra Bank, Pitapuram Colony, Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh; C.P. Varghese, Chittemalil, Malankara, Nenmeni, Sultan Bathery, Wayanad will be small growers’ representatives.

Representatives of coffee trade interests are D. M. Purnesh, Classic Coffee & Spices Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, Karnataka. Dr. S. M. Kaverappa, Haletaluk, Napoklu, Kodagu, Karnataka. Ramesh Rajah, M/s. Ramesh Exports Pvt Ltd, Bangalore, Karnataka.

Representatives of curing establishment: A. N. Devraj, Avaathi Post, Chikmagalur, Karnataka. K. A. Ibrahim, Suntikoppa, Madikere Kodagu, Karnataka.

Representatives of labour interests: G. Bhaskar, Jeyammal Street, Ayyavvo colony, Aminjikarai, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. N. M. Adyanthaya, President INTUC, Karnataka & Vice President National INTUC, Nagi Towers, Kadri Hills, Mangalore, Karnataka. Prof. K. P. Thomas, Kakkathottathil House, Kottayad Road, Sultanbethery, Wayanad, Kerala. R. Chandrasekharan, President INTUC, Kerla Branch, Ayikkumathu House, Sooranad North, Sooranad Kollam Kerala.

Representatives of coffee growing States other than principal coffee growing States: K. V. Satyanarayana, Additional Chief Secretary, the Secretary in-charge of the Agriculture Department, Government of Tripura. Rajesh Prasad, Commissioner Industries & Commerce, Assam.

Representatives of consumer’s interest Uma I. B. Shankar, Hosmane Extension, Chikmagalur, Karnataka. Iftekhan Khan, 28, New Ashonknagar, Agra, Uttar Pradesh.

Representatives of instant coffee manufacturers: C. Rajendra Prasad, Chairman & Managing Director, CCL Products (India), Ameerpet, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh.

Eminent Personality in the field of research /marketing/ management/ promotion of coffee: Peter Mathias, Kelagur Estate, Sunkasale Post, Mudigere Taluk, Chikmagalur, Karnataka.

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Industry> Agri-Biz / by Anil Urs anil.u@thehindu.co.in / Bangalore – January 13th, 2014

A drink devoid of discrimination

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

Coffee lore may not be marked by more than about a hundred years after the bushy crop made the three districts of the erstwhile Princely State of Mysore its home. Not many may recollect the happening of the centenary of its arrival in the State, if at all the event was celebrated. Residents of the old residential areas of Mysore city may remember the middle-aged, Khaki-clad, bicycle-borne, vendor sporting pith hat in the style of a hunter, peddling coffee seeds under ‘his’ brands of a) Chikamagalur Coffee, b) Giri Coffee (meaning Bababudangiri) and c) Coorg Coffee, delivering the material at the doorsteps nearly 60 years ago. The much-awaited coffee seed peddler vanished unheralded with the passage of time, leaving his captive customers, connoisseurs of refined tastes of Mysore, high and dry.

An unforgettable phase of the history of coffee in Mysore city, however brief, was marked by the presence of a) coal-fired, manually operated coffee-roaster with a capacity to roast a couple of pounds (equivalent to one kilogram) of coffee seeds and b) hand-operated grinding device in most of the middle-class households in order to brew fresh coffee, particularly to appease the grandpa and grandma in the joint-families, now not known to the younger generation of our times. The two most-prized equipments have since gone to the junk-yard (gujari).

The coffee planters may be concerned with a) the timely showers, particularly the April showers coinciding with the blooming of flowers on the bushes, b) the afflictions bugging the bushes and lately, c) the onslaught of jumbos devouring the lush green plants in a jiffy, but the city-dwellers are hell-bent on having their cuppa. The labour class (if there be one such class still in society) as well as the truant white-collared gentry in government offices must gulp the addictive drink more frequently than the limits prescribed by the physician. They couldn’t care less if the brew was loaded with the objectionable chicory and with disregard to right proportions of plantation ‘A’ and Robusta as well as peaberry, not to talk of adulterants.

Bangalore is shortly hosting the fifth edition of the India International Coffee Festival in which more than 1,000 delegates are expected to take part in the five-day global event, apart from attracting more than 10,000 visitors. The festival may augur well for MNCs of the coffee world, but the kick got out of the now-defunct coffee roaster and coffee grinder cannot be matched by brands such as ‘Starbucks.’ Coffee is unarguably the only unifying agent that abhors discrimination in society.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Editorial / January 10th, 2014

Farmers to get 50 per cent subsidy for solar fencing

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Science & Technology

The government will provide 50 per cent subsidy to farmers to put up solar fences on their farms, said Minister for Forests B. Ramanath Rai on Thursday, as an obstacle against entry of wild animals and to reduce man-animal conflict

During his visit to the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) office here, the Minister told presspersons that the department had put up elephant-proof trenches and installed solar-powered fences around some stretches of the reserve forests and national parks. “This is part of the Karnataka Sustainable Forest Management and Bio-diversity Conservation Programme. However, if farmers want to get solar fences installed by private companies, we will grant them 50 per cent subsidy,” he said.

The Minister said his department was not against development. However, only such projects that will directly benefit people will be permitted. People who submit applications for land in deemed and reserve forests should keep in mind the various rules governing forests in the State.

The Minister said the process of resolving the confusion over the C and D categories of land (degraded forest land) had commenced. “According to the law, there is no provision to regularise encroachments on forest land after April 27, 1978. However, we have received over one lakh applications seeking regularisation of land. A Cabinet subcommittee has been formed to study the issue and take a decision,” he said.

Posts to be filled
He said 700 posts in the department would be filled shortly. “The department is also encouraging farmers to grow sandalwood. We are giving away saplings at Re. 1 and Rs. 2 each to farmers. These farmers will also get an incentive of Rs. 10, Rs. 15 and Rs. 20 for each sapling annually, in the first, second and third year respectively, to ensure its growth,” the Minister said.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> National> Karnataka / by Special Correspondent / Bangalore – January 03rd, 2014

Tata Starbucks CEO: Our business in India continues to exceed expectations

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

Avani Saglani Davda, the CEO at Tata Starbucks Ltd since September 2012, has played a key role in the development of the joint venture between Tata group and Starbucks Corp, which runs the world’s largest coffee chain.

The company recently entered South India by opening a coffee outlet in Bangalore. In an interview with Business Line, Davda shares the joint venture’s plans for the India market. Edited excerpts:

Now that you have entered South India, how many stores are you planning in this region?

In addition to the flagship store at Koramangala (Bangalore), Tata Starbucks will open two more stores by the end of this year in Bengaluru. It is an important city entry that demonstrates our long-term commitment to expand across India and we will continue to work thoughtfully to build a strong foundation and open stores quickly.

The South is primarily a coffee drinking market. Can we expect any specific flavour for both food and beverages here?

We are committed to delivering a locally relevant Starbucks experience to our customers; one that reflects the Starbucks brand as well as India’s rich culinary heritage. Our store here in Bangalore will introduce a strong mix of international favourites as well as specially designed food offerings to reflect local flavours. Additionally, our store offers a broad beverage portfolio to include a wide range of Starbucks signature espresso-based beverages and Starbucks VIA Ready Brew.

We will introduce the India Estates blend to consumers in Bengaluru. This blend is Tata Starbucks’ special country-specific coffee, developed thoughtfully with Tata Coffee for the Indian market and reflects the high quality Arabica coffee available in India. Created to celebrate our first anniversary in the country in October 2013, this coffee captures the essence and rich heritage of the Indian coffee history. Additionally, with our entry in the Indian market, we launched the Indian Espresso Roast which is sourced locally through the coffee sourcing and roasting agreement between Starbucks and Tata Coffee.

What will be the price range of the food and coffee at the India stores?

We strive to price our products competitively based upon the assessment of how we can provide high-quality products and an uncompromised experience.

We understand how important it is to our customers that they receive a high quality experience at an appropriate value, and we believe that our approach to value holistically balances the experience we provide customers with our need to effectively run our business.

You had a target of 50 stores in 2012. Are you revising this number?

Since our foray into the Indian market in October 2012, we have launched 30 stores across Mumbai, Delhi NCR, Bengaluru and Pune.

We are overwhelmed by the way in which our customers have embraced us. With a little over one year of being in operation in the country, I can assure you that our business in India continues to exceed our expectations.

We work to balance the need to run the business effectively while ensuring that we deliver the highest-quality Starbucks experience to our customers.

It’s not only about running several stores across the geography, but to nurture each store to provide the experience and deliver the brand promise to customers – every day.

What kind of investment you have planned for 2014 in India? When do you plan to break even?

We are committed to India for the long-term and the JV will invest long term in the development of our partners (employees), coffee growing communities and the neighbourhoods we serve. Our business in India continues to exceed our expectations and we remain focused on a long-term, disciplined growth in this dynamic market to establish a strong presence here, delivering an elevated coffeehouse experience to our customers in India.

What has been the experience so far? Are you revising your footprints here?

Our journey over the last year has been very gratifying and the venture has attracted acclaim from Indian consumers. This journey has only just begun and we will continue to work to exceed the expectations of our customers.

We are confident in our ability to build and grow the Starbucks brand in India, and continue to remain excited about the opportunities India presents for our business.

anil.u@thehindu.co.in

source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com / Business Line / Home> Companies / by Anil Urs and K. Giriprakash anil.u@thehindu.co.in / November 27th, 2013