Category Archives: Coffee News

World Coffee Conference to take place in India in 2023

Business & Economy, Coffee Board, India (wef. Nov 17, 2021), Coffee News, World Opinion, , , , ,
ico wcc bangalore 2023

The fifth edition of the World Coffee Conference is coming to India. The event is set to unite the global coffee industry on sustainable topics of discussion, including circular economy and regenerative agriculture. 

Since the 18th century, commercial coffee has been thriving in India. Over time, the country has evolved from a tea drinking nation to one with a strong coffee identity.

Coffee is traditionally cultivated in the Western Ghats, and is rapidly spreading to the areas of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha and the North East states. This year however, all eyes will be on Bangalore, the largest city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka, as it hosts one of the largest global events in the coffee sector.

For the first time since 2016, the International Coffee Organisation (ICO), a multilateral intergovernmental organisation for coffee, and its Members, will host the World Coffee Conference (WCC) from 25 to 28 September.

The event is foreseen in the International Coffee Agreement 2007 treaty, in which the organisation aims to host every four to five years. The WCC first took place in London, the United Kingdom, in 2001; followed by Salvador, Brazil in 2005; Guatemala City, Guatemala in 2010; and Addis Adaba, Ethiopia in 2016.

COVID-19 pressed pause on the last scheduled event, and now, the world is ready to unite in an Asian country for the first time.

“The renewed interest and commitment by India to organise this high-level event is exciting. It will not only be a forum to discuss critical topics for the global sector, but to be involved in a technologist exhibition, and technical workshops and a Growers’ Conclave run by the Coffee Board of India. We will see top-tier company representatives, government representatives, United Nations partners, and even Vietnam will be coming with more than 20 delegates. They see it as a huge opportunity to showcase the way they produce and trade coffee,” says ICO’s Head of Operations, Gerardo Patacconi.

The iconic Bangalore Palace Grounds will be the host venue for the international conference and coffee technology fair. The Government of India will host the WCC 2023, chaired by the Indian Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal.

The WCC will be held in conjunction with the G20 Summit under the country’s presidency. It will also integrate the 5th CEOs and Global Leaders Forum, and the 136th Session of the International Coffee Council.

All 75 ICO member countries are ready to attend the WCC, with the conference expected to attract more than 1500 registered delegates and 10,000 business visitors from across the globe.

WCC 2023 will bring together representatives from government, the private sector, development partners, as well as civil society and academia, coffee producers and importers, leading coffee associations, global coffee experts, roasters and more.

They will gather to discuss and debate on coffee market trends, technology, and best practices for building a circular coffee economy, regenerative agriculture, sustainability through consumption, innovation and access to finance, with the goal to collaborate towards building a sustainable coffee industry from bean to cup.

Guest speakers will present on this year’s event theme, ‘Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture,’ addressing market trends, challenges, best practices, technologies, and strategic and financial solutions to build a resilient and sustainable future for the coffee sector, and production issues surrounding sustainability and cultivation, living income, and climate change, in compliance with the Sustainable Development Goals and Environmental, Social and Governance practices.

“On 1 October 2022, the International Coffee Day, ICO members decided on this topic theme. The reason is that there is a growing interest and opportunity at the different levels of the supply chain on circularity. This year we are also launching the Coffee Development Report on circular economy, and we are also looking into how to move circularity into action,” Patacconi says.

“There is huge opportunity for increasing jobs and income through circularity, so transforming waste, whatever form that takes, into a business opportunity is important, as is the work we match with living income for livelihood and prosperity of farmers. There are scattered, good examples, but we need to bring them together so that everybody can have access to this knowledge.”

Patacconi notes there are three levels of outcomes expected from this year’s high-level discussions at the “Davos of Coffee”. First, is a high level of engagement of both policy makers and industry around the event themes, including opportunities to discuss trends in the coffee sector, and changing regulatory framework.

The second is to determine practical solutions in terms of technology that could be made available, and third, is about access to financial resources, knowledge, and markets.

“Through the ICO we really want to promote the creation of a centre for coffee circular economy, which we are now advancing with the help of our members. We are also joining the Lavazza Foundation and United Nations agencies such as UNIDO (United Nations Industrial Development Organization) and ITC (International Trade Centre) for the creation of Coffee Circular Economy Hub to share knowledge and help implement win-win solutions from coffee farms to cup,” Patacconi says.

While it’s important that policy makers are engaged in this year’s WCC, Dr KG Jagadeesha, CEO of the Coffee Board of India, says it’s crucial to have participation from producers.

“It’s extremely important for everyone across the value chain to attend, including consuming countries. This event is exclusively dedicated to growers, and we invite growers from different coffee growing nations such as Vietnam, Brazil, Central and South America, and African countries to attend,” he says.

The international community is also invited to visit India’s exotic coffee growing estates from 23 to 24 September to appreciate the unique qualities of its thick, shade-grown canopy coffee.

“India is currently the sixth largest grower of coffee and fifth largest exporter in the world. We have half a million families dependent on cultivating coffee in India. Two million people are directly or indirectly involved in coffee value chain, and the coffee sector in India, especially domestic coffee market, is expanding. The percentage of youth who are passionate, dynamic drinkers is expanding. They are highly qualified, and their tech-savvy connection to social media and influence is driving the market.”

For a traditional tea-drinking nation, which is low-cost and easy to prepare, Jagadeesha says the renewed uptake of coffee consumption is impressive and a sign of development because living incomes and standards have improved, thereby allowing the younger generation to afford the luxury of quality coffee.

“The evolution of coffee in India is not just about access to coffee chains, it’s about offering an experience for the youth to gather and connect in urban areas, a place to unite and exchange ideas,” Jagadeesha says. “Bangalore, in particular, is the Silicon Valley of India. It’s home to a lot of technology parks and I.T companies, as well as the highest number of technical colleges. It’s the place to be for coffee. It’s a cosmopolitan city with a significant proportion of foreign nationals, and a large number of coffee chains, including Blue Tokai, Koinonia Coffee Roasters, and Third Wave Coffee have all made their mark here.

“This is a city worth exploring for coffee, and a country that invites the world to its doorstep and share its excitement for the future of possibilities.”

For more information, click here. 

source: http://www.gcrmag.com / Global Coffee Report / Home> Profiles / by Dominic Morrell / August 08th, 2023

Bitter Coffee Prices: A worldwide bean shortage is making coffee lovers sweat espresso bullets

Business & Economy, Coffee Board, India (wef. Nov 17, 2021), Coffee News, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Synopsis

A shortage of coffee beans around the world, in particular due to weather problems in India and lack of supply from Brazil and Vietnam, has led to domestic market prices rising steeply. A well-known coffee trader in Pune, Gandhi’s Coffee, said he had to pass on a Rs50/kg price hike to customers.

Coffee istock

Be it the humbled pulses, vegetables or even exalted gourmet offerings, food prices are now steaming hot, singing consumers’ budgets and making policy decisions tougher for rate-setters while they perhaps sip on coffee. But halt, for even the world of coffee, that beloved elixir that often serves as the morning oracle, is now demanding a premium spot on the rate chart.

Hold onto your mugs, coffee enthusiasts, because it looks like your beloved brew is about to take you on a rollercoaster ride through the wild world of caffeine economics.

This increase in cost is attributed to a shortage of coffee beans on a global scale, particularly stemming from Brazil and Vietnam, coupled with unexpected rains affecting bean quality in India. This unfavorable situation has led to a surge in domestic market prices.

Coffee

Coffee traders, who usually acquire premium beans from Chikkamagaluru in Karnataka, have begun transferring this price escalation to their customers.

Latha Aravind, a resident of Mumbai’s Matunga, said that the cost of usual mixed coffee grounds – a blend of Robusta and Peaberry beans – has risen from around Rs 580/kg to about Rs 640 to Rs 650/kg.

“Prices have shot up and may keep rising,” she told Times of India.

Rajesh Gandhi, owner of Gandhi’s Coffee, a well-known coffee trading enterprise in Pune, said that he had to pass on a Rs 50/kg price hike to the end consumers, as Robusta beans have undergone an approximate 50% price surge, while Arabica beans area dearer by about 15%.

Ajit Raichur, a coffee trader from Kumardhara Traders, said that coffee prices are typically adjusted annually in January. However, this year witnessed an additional price hike of Rs 50/kg across all available bean varieties in July.

GM Dharmendra, a wholesale green coffee (raw beans) trader based in Bengaluru, said he lost 30% to 40% business over the last few months. “Many small coffee retailers in the area have shut shop or they are buying poor quality beans at cheaper rates. Many customers have shifted to instant coffee,” he added.

The coffee-growing region of Chikkamagaluru has borne the brunt of climate change impacts. Rohan Kuriyan, manager of Balanoor Plantations and Industries, reported a 20% decrease in yield due to untimely rainfall during blossom days, compared to the previous year. “The average cost of picking has also gone up. We ended up doing four rounds of selective harvesting instead of the usual two because of the uneven ripening of the cherries,” he added.

“With some positive news about better crop in Brazil, Arabica prices have started softening in the international markets. However, prices are expected to be a bit higher in the domestic market which is growing at double digits because of demand and less production,” Challa Srishant, MD of CCL Products (India) and member of the Coffee Board of India, said.

CCL Products, known for its ‘Continental’ coffee brand, has raised prices from Rs 280 to Rs 360 for a 200g jar within a year, with a further 10% increase planned for the next quarter. Observers in the industry have noted that the diminishing price gap between Arabica and Robusta has inclined consumers towards the smoother and sweeter profile of Arabica beans.

“For planters, operational costs have gone up – right from labour costs to fertilizer and pesticide costs. Coffee prices (Arabica) are a little lower now than they were last year but traders usually buy in bulk and therefore it appears like they are protecting their bottom line in case prices rise again,” Mahesh Shashidhar, chairman of Karnataka Planters’ Association said.

The harvesting season for Robusta beans is six-to-seven months away, and there is uncertainty about the next crop. Karnataka remains a dominant player, contributing 70% of India’s coffee production, while Kerala and Tamil Nadu also cultivate coffee. Industry stakeholders have collectively absorbed various price increases at different junctures. Although prices haven’t been adjusted yet, Amit Bhatta, founder of the specialty coffee brand Aeka Coffee, conceded that an additional 15% to 20% increase could prompt a shift of this burden onto the end consumers.

(with inputs from ToI)

source: http://www.economictimes.indiatimes.com / The Economic Times / Home> India> Business News > Industry> Cons Products> Food / ET Online / August 09th, 2023

Karnataka gives impetus to coffee with focus on sustainability

Business & Economy, Coffee Board, India (wef. Nov 17, 2021), Coffee News, Records, All, World Opinion, , , , , ,

Karnataka gives impetus to coffee with focus on sustainability through circular economy and regenerative agriculture. The state is the indisputable leader and produces over 70% of the total coffee produced in the country. It produced 2.33 lakh metric tonne of coffee in the last financial year, which is the highest coffee production by any state in the country.

By focusing on sustainability through circular economy approach, the state is implementing practices that aim to minimise waste, maximise efficiency in resources, and encourage environment-friendly practices throughout the coffee production process. In addition, the adoption of regenerative agriculture can enable to restore and enhance soil health leading to a more robust and sustainable coffee plantation.

The key coffee producing districts known as ‘The Land of Coffee’ are Hassan,  Kodagu,  Shivamogga  and  Chikkamagaluru. From a national perspective, the key production areas of coffee are Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, which aggregate a total production of 92% in the country.

Going by the capability and competence of coffee growers, the state government is looking to unlock access to global coffee markets and tap the promising opportunities. In this regard,  Bengaluru is playing host to the 5th World Coffee Conference (WCC) 2023 for the first time in Asia from September 25-28, 2023, at the Bangalore Palace.

The organisers are the International Coffee Organization (ICO), in collaboration with the Coffee Board of India, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India, Government of Karnataka and the coffee industry provides unparalleled business opportunities for global coffee stakeholders. For the four-day event, WCC has appointed Rohan Bopanna, India’s doubles tennis player & Arjuna awardee as its Brand Ambassador.

Evolving around the theme of the conference: “Sustainability through Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture,” the  event will feature  conference, exhibition, skill-building workshops, CEOs & global leaders forum, growers conclave and a myriad of networking events, all focused on advancing sustainability in the coffee industry.

It will also include producers, curers, roasters, exporters, policy makers, researchers and everyone passionate about coffee from 80+ countries to join at WCC 2023, with a 4-day intensive programme focused on building a sustainable coffee industry through discussion, debate, and collaboration, said the organisers.

During the unveiling of the WCC 2023 Logo and Theme- “Sustainability through Circular Economy and Regenerative Agriculture”, Dr S Selvakumar, Principal Secretary of the Karnataka Commerce & Industries Department, said that, Karnataka is undoubtedly the coffee capital of India. “There is tremendous opportunity for investments across the coffee value chain- from bean to cup right from equipment companies, coffee machines, soluble coffee brands as well as café chains. This in turn leads to increased employment opportunities for our talent from farm to cafes. Therefore, we are privileged to be the host state for this event.”

Dr K G Jagadeesha, CEO and Secretary, Coffee Board of India, said, “WCC 2023 holds great promise for the global coffee sector, specially the Indian coffee industry fostering growth and sustainable practices while showcasing its rich coffee heritage to the world.

WCC 2023 will host an impressive array of participants, including ICO member country representatives, coffee growers, coffee roasters, coffee curers, farm to cup industry, HoReCa, café owners, coffee nations, policy makers, start-ups, R&D and students.

Bengaluru awaits to host this extraordinary global gathering, which will showcase commitment towards sustainability and innovation in the coffee industry. Previous editions of the conference were successfully held in England (2001), Brazil (2005), Guatemala (2010), and Ethiopia (2016), receiving immense appreciation from coffee enthusiasts worldwide.

source: http://www.fnbnews.com / FnBNews.com , Food & Beverage News / Home> Top News / August 02nd, 2023

Stalk rot disease haunts coffee estates across South Kodagu

Agriculture, Coffee News, , , , , ,

In South Kodagu, the rainfall has receded and the region is exposed to some sunlight, resulting in an increased number of estates recording stalk rot disease.

Wild animals are allowed to feed and breed in some coffee estates of Chikamagaluru district | Express
For representational purpose only | EPS

Madikeri:

Several coffee estates across Kodagu are already facing the brunt of monsoons and changing weather patterns. The coffee plantations, especially in the South Kodagu region, are showing severe signs of stalk rot disease and the coffee growers are worried.

“The stalk rot disease usually affects the coffee plants during mid-monsoons – especially in August, when the rainfall gets heavy. However, the coffee stalks and coffee beans are rotting at the beginning of monsoons this year,” shared Devaiah, a grower in the Srimangala belt of South Kodagu.

Several crops across the coffee estates are affected by rotting disease and controlling the spread of the disease amidst the bad weather condition has become a herculean task to the growers. Amidst the increased loss of yield due to wildlife conflict, the spread of the rotting disease is adding more woes to the growers’ troubles.  

While stalk rot disease is an age-old condition that has been affecting coffee plants – especially the Robusta variety of coffee– the cases of the disease spreading have increased invariably in the recent past. Changing weather patterns is concluded as one of the reasons for the increased spread of the disease, as George Daniel, DD of Chettalli Coffee Board explained, “Weather conditions play an important role in the spread of stalk rot disease. The soil will have increased moisture content during monsoons. When this moisture is exposed to even little sunlight, it gives a perfect ground for the mushrooming of anthracnose fungus – which causes the stalk rot disease.”

In South Kodagu, the rainfall has receded and the region is exposed to some sunlight, resulting in an increased number of estates recording stalk rot disease.

“At first, just one or two coffee cherries will start to rot. within a day, the entire plant gets affected. It is important that the affected parts of the plants are immediately cut off and buried under the soil to prevent further spread of the endemic,” added George. He analyzed that estates that have reported stalk rot in the previous years are more prone to the disease.

He suggests that the growers spray Opera Fungicide – One ml of the fungicide mixed with One liter of water – to curb the disease spread. “The mixture must be sprayed when rain takes a break,” he added. Further, it is important that growers carry out pre-preparations for monsoons as spraying 0.5% Bordeaux mixture would help curb the growth of fungus in monsoons.

“The Robusta variety of plants is highly affected by the disease. However, Arabica varieties too are prone to the disease. Sanitation work of the plantation including pruning of the crops, reduction of shade, proper lighting and air circulation plays an important role in preventing stalk rot disease in plantations,” he said.

Coffee berries begin to drop following infection from stalk rot disease.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> States> Karnataka / by Express News Service / July 27th, 2023

Meet Sushant Dash, CEO of Ratan Tata-backed international coffee brand worth Rs 2.60 lakh crore; salary is…

Coffee News, World Opinion, , , ,

Sushant Dash is the CEO of Ratan Tata-backed coffee chain which is the largest coffee company in the world, now with hundreds of stores in India.

article-main

Ratan Tata’s company Tata Group, which is one of the leading conglomerates in the country, had acquired the world’s leading coffee company – Starbucks. The CEO of Starbucks India, brought to this country by Tata Group, is Sushant Dash.

Sushant Dash was appointed as the CEO of Tata Starbucks, which is the Indian branch of Starbucks with hundreds of stores opened across the country. Dash was appointed as the CEO of Starbucks in 2021, a decade after the international brand came to India.

Starbucks entered the Indian market in 2012 by entering into a 50-50 deal with Tata Group. After opening hundreds of stores across the country, Starbucks India now has a revenue of over Rs 683 crore. Starbucks has overall revenue of Rs 2.60 lakh crore internationally.

Sushant Dash was one of the initial Tata employees to be a part of the Starbucks India project, responsible for the entry of the world’s largest coffee company to open its doors in India. As of 2023, Tata Starbucks has over 340 stores in the country.

Sushant Dash, who became the CEO of Tata Starbucks in 2021, has been associated with the Tata Group for a very long time, initially being a part of Tata Consumer Products, which is the company that produces Tata Tea, Tata Salt, and Tetley beverages.

Before being the CEO of Tata Starbucks, Dash held the position of president of, packaged beverages business, India, Bangladesh, and the Middle East at Tata Consumer Products, overseeing the international business of the company on the beverage front.

While the exact salary of Sushant Dash has not been disclosed by the company yet, the range of salary of Tata CEOs is around Rs 2 crore to Rs 3 crore, according to their annual financial reports.

source: http://www.dnaindia.com / DNA / Home> Business / by DNA Web Team / July 24th, 2023

Final draft of coffee Bill ready to be tabled in Parliament

Business & Economy, Coffee News

Coffee Board recently held another round of industry consultation and the existing draft may be final.

A final draft of India’s new coffee legislation, Coffee (Promotion and Development) Bill, 2022, an effort to to refresh the archaic Coffee Act (1942), that is seen as overly regulating the commodity in the last over 80 years, is expected to be tabled in the Parliament in the ongoing monsoon session.

The Coffee Board recently held another round of industry consultation and the existing draft may be final and expected to be tabled in the Parliament soon, if other changes are not recommended by any ministries concerned.

K.G. Jagadeesha, Coffee Board, CEO and Secretary, told The Hindu: “The intention of the government is to place the draft for consideration during the monsoon session, depending on clearances from various ministries.” Mr. Jagadeesha said the existing Act has been adversely impacting the marketing and consumption of the commodity.

Organisations supportive

“Looks like various coffee organisations and industry stakeholders are supportive of the draft that is ready. They are happy that an amendment has been made to the old regulation with archaic provisions. So it may be the final draft unless concerned ministries want to make further changes,” he added.

The board met a large contingent of industry stakeholders comprising the United Planters’ Association of Southern India (UPASI), Karnataka Planters’ Association (KPA), Karnataka Growers’ Foundation, Coffee Exporters Association, members of the Coffee Board, labour union representatives, roasters, curers, and exporters recently.

Mahesh Shashidhar, chairman, KPA, said the industry was expecting the new coffee legislation would do away with several unwanted licenses, permissions, and need for repeated registrations that growers, curers, roaster, and exporters had to furnish so far. “We expect it to be more simplified and industry-friendly,” he added.

Many changes since 1942

According to Ramesh Rajah, president, Coffee Exporters Association, the coffee industry and the market dynamics of the global commodity has drastically changed several times since 1942. “What we now require is a legislation that supports a holistic growth of the sector and not something that ties us up,” added Mr. Rajah.

The new legislation is also expected to promote economic, scientific and technical research in coffee, including breeding new varieties and focusing on sustainable coffee production.

The Coffee Board itself may go through a transition once the new coffee Act is in place as it was constituted in 1942, as per the draft.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Karnataka / by Mini Tejaswi / July 22ns, 2023

Lavazza launches its first collection of locally-roasted coffee

Coffee News, World Opinion, ,

Italy’s biggest coffee roaster Lavazza, has announced the launch of Il Mattino Vivace its first pure filter coffee blend to be sourced and processed in India for the domestic market.

Coffee is being sourced from Chikmagalur and Coorg in Karnataka and processed in Lavazza’a manufacturing facility at Sri City in Andhra Pradesh.

The facility at Sri City in Tada began its commercial operations a few weeks ago, Fresh and Honest Cafe Ltd Managing Director Silvio Zaccareo said.

Fresh and Honest Cafe Ltd is a 100 percent subsidiary of Lavazza.

Zaccareo declined to reveal the size of investment made at the factory or the number of employees working in it.

II Mattino Vivace meaning ‘lively morning’ is made from Arabica and Robusta beans roasted for the “at home” segment.

“Lavazza is known the world over for its expertise in art of blending for over four generations. II Mattino Vivace is a result of combining that expertise and our understanding of the unique consumer preferences in Indian market”, he said.

To a query, he said the coffee powder would be available in retail outlets across the country. “We are planning to complete first stage distribution by end of this month”.

Zaccareo said the company inaugurated Coffee Training Centre last year which was the first largest centre outside Italy.

The centre trains professionals, carries out research and explores new forms of taste. “We have trained more than 1,000 people,” he said.

source: http://www.retailnews.asia / RetailNews.asia / Home / by Retail Asia / July 14th, 2023

Coffee trail: Explore Karnataka’s coffee museums in Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu, Bengaluru

Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Records, All

The Sidapur Coffee and Culture Museum offers visitors the thrill of brewing their own coffee, right from pulping, grading, roasting, and grinding.

COFFEE YATRA MUSEUM IN CHIKKAMAGALURU / SUSHEELA NAIR

After exploring and experiencing nature’s benevolence and pastoral charm in the Western Ghats, I began my coffee museum trail. From Chikkamagaluru, which houses India’s earliest coffee plantations, to Kodagu, a place whose culture is intertwined with coffee, and finally to the heart of Bengaluru city, I visited coffee museums and explored the history behind the refreshing cup of coffee.

Coffee Yatra Museum 

With a profusion of coffee curing works, Chikkamagaluru, which is undoubtedly the heart of Karnataka’s coffee country, now also houses the Coffee Yatra Museum, an initiative of the Coffee Board of India. At Coffee Yatra Museum, I saw a thematic display of coffee history, providing an insight into Indian coffee and the painstaking procedures that go into its making. A multimedia presentation charted the coffee bean’s journey from the plant to the cup, explaining processes like picking, drying, and grinding. Also on display were coffee-curing apparatus.

As I entered the building, I was bowled over by the huge posters that adorned the museum walls, showcasing interesting information about the coffees of India. Moving on, I saw the Coffee Map of India that highlighted both the traditional and the non-traditional coffee-growing regions of India. From the map, I learned about the various coffee beans grown in different areas. Next, came the Coffee Evaluation Centre where a staff member explained the processing of coffee beans. After that, I moved to a separate section where the final product is tasted before it is ready to go into the market.

Display of different methods of coffee making in the Coffee Yatra Museum

At the museum, I also learnt about the cultural practices, age-old traditions, and several other aspects of coffee. A coffee movie was played along with a coffee song, which spoke about the cultivation of coffee in the language of the farmers. I also visited the museum’s Laboratory to know about the grinding process and the equipment used to process coffee.

Sidapur Coffee and Culture Museum 

From Chikkamagaluru, we proceeded to Sidapur Coffee and Culture Museum at Evolve Back in Chikkana Halli Estate, Kodagu. The museum has different sections that talk of the story of the founding Ramapuram family, the history of coffee in Kodagu, how coffee is cultivated globally, and the art of brewing the perfect cup of coffee. It also featured the culture of Kodagu and its close association with coffee cultivation. It recreated a space that evoked the rustic feel of a coffee plantation, with materials used in the past and the present, reminiscent of eras gone by and ways of life that have been replaced with the onset of modernity.

Housed in what was originally the old smokehouse (the result of an experiment with growing rubber on the Chikkana Halli Estate), the museum has a high thatched roof with red oxide flooring, typically found in old plantation homes. Jute, coir, burlap, wood, and old metal were the other key players in the mix of materials.

Sidapur Coffee and Culture Museum

Large, dented copper and brass vessels of unique shapes and sizes lined the walls, each whispering their unique stories. “A few of the objects are from the Ramapuram family collection, such as an old hand-operated coffee roaster and typewriter that were in use on the Chikkana Halli Estate. The coffee grinder in the museum has had quite a journey. It belonged to a Kodava gentleman who ran a coffee house in Lahore before Partition, after which it was transported to Bengaluru and housed in Chinny’s Café on Brigade Road for many years,” said Jos Ramapuram, executive director, Marketing, Evolve Back.

The unbelievably large tree stump that formed the base of the centre table in the coffee brewing area,was from the Chikkana Halli Estate. At the Coffee Museum I experienced the thrill of making my own brew right from pulping, grading, roasting, and grinding. Visitors get to stroll around the museum and get a taste of life in the days of old in Kodagu, to the accompaniment of  the invigorating aroma of coffee in the air. Equally interesting was Coffeeology, a daily live session on the art and science of gourmet coffee, where visitors can observe and experience the making of an assortment of coffee preparations from around the world.

Blossom to Brew

From Evolve Back, we hopped to Tamara Kodagu where I embarked on the signature guided walk. With the Blossom to Brew experience, I learnt how a bean undergoes various processes to reach the coffee mug. The session ended at The Verandah, a 155-year-old heritage structure in Kabbinakad estate, which originally housed plantation workers. Currently, it has been restored into a rustic coffee lounge and has a gift shop stocked with natural products from the estate and library. There I learnt all about the process of grading, roasting, and blending. I ended the session relishing a hot cup of coffee at the lounge.

Coffee Lab

I culminated my coffee-museum-hopping trail with a visit to the Coffee Lab in Sadashivanagar, in the heart of Bengaluru. As I sauntered into Coffee Lab, I could sense the aroma of coffee assailing the air. Every nook and corner of the lab was adorned with mugs, coasters, antique jugs, filters, and other coffee paraphernalia collected from all over the world by Sunalini Menon. Known as Asia’s first woman of coffee, Sunali set up Coffee Lab in Bengaluru in 1997 for evaluating the technical nuances of Indian coffee.

Sunalini Menon in Coffee Lab, Bengaluru

The Coffee Lab bore the semblance of a mini museum with its walls lined with a variety of packaged coffee and curios from around the world – exquisite grinders, scented candles, filters, mugs, and a whole shelf of old-fashioned tumblers – a stark contrast to the regular sparkling white laboratories filled with shiny apparatus used for coffee accreditation and testing.

It also housed memorabilia including tribal products from coffee growing areas, areca nut pickers, traditional milk measurement units, and coffee pots. Each piece of equipment threw light on the culture of the country it came from. For instance, Italian pots have ornate carvings; the ones in Iran are known for their silver and filigree; Pakistan has a recurring crescent moon pattern: while Egypt designs sported Cleopatra. The star attraction of Coffee Lab was the painting of Mona Lisa done in coffee powder. After a journey of fascinating discoveries, I returned satiated.

Coffee beans, mugs, grinders, filters on display in Coffee Lab, Bengaluru

All pics by Susheela Nair.

Susheela Nair is an independent food, travel and lifestyle writer and photographer contributing articles, content and images to several national publications besides organising seminars and photo exhibitions. Her writings span a wide spectrum which also includes travel portals and guide books, brochures and coffee table books.

source: http://www.thenewsminute.com / The News Minute / Home> Features> Food / by Susheela Nair / edited by Maria Teresa Raju / June 26th, 2023

How Climate Change Is Brewing Trouble For India’s Coffee Industry

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg), Green Initiatives / Environment, Nature, Records, All, World Opinion, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

India’s coffee growth is being affected by unpredictable weather patterns, including insufficient rainfall, temperature fluctuations, drought, and heavy flooding.

While Baba Budan, the Sufi monk, planted the smuggled seven coffee beans in the bountiful hills of Chikmagalur, little did he know that India, one day, would be the 6th largest coffee producer, with Karnataka contributing 71 per cent of coffee production to the world. Though the coffee culture has evolved through the years, and there has been a significant boom globally for coffee, the threat for your morning cup is real and is right there knocking on the doors–climate change!

Unpredictable weather patterns are affecting most parts of the world, including India. The country grows a lot of Robusta and Arabica, and both these varieties suffer prolonged periods of inadequate rainfall, temperature rise, drought and heavy flooding.

The Case With Arabica And Robusta
Samia Subhani, a fourth-generation coffee planter and the founder of “The Kaimara Belt Coffee,” sounded distressed. Her family has been into coffee growing and trading for over 150 years, and their estate in the Baba Budangiri hills grows Arabica, the most demanding variety. Subhani’s estate has 50-80 farmers working on the plantation daily, all dependent entirely on coffee farming. But with the ongoing effects of climate change, coffee is going through a difficult phase putting all their lives at risk.

Arabica is the most demanding variety of coffee when it comes to cultivation. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

“Climate change causes leaf shedding, reduced coffee plant productivity, and increased vulnerability to pests. Extreme cold delays plant flowering and lowers berry quality. Heavy rains at irregular times cause cherries to burst and drop prematurely. Continuous heavy rains before harvest prevent drying, leading to crop spoilage,” Subhani explained.

But like they say, every solution has a problem. Subhani mentioned that we must dig deeper into our pockets and follow some mitigation measures to maintain the yield and deliver quality coffee to patrons. “So, we provide artificial rains during droughts, maintain proper irrigation in the system, avoid using harmful pesticides to control soil erosion and use only soil-friendly organic fertilisers.”

While this is the situation in an Arabica coffee plantation at Chikmagalur, Coorg, popularly known as the “Scotland of India,” is known to grow more of Robusta.

“Climate change is certain to impact coffee yields due to temperature changes. Coorg is experiencing water scarcity, affecting coffee production. Coffee plants require water, nutrients, rainfall, and sunshine for healthy growth and harvest. Fluctuations in yield have increased, with lower yields in recent years. Delayed monsoons in Coorg will further reduce usable berry production,” said Shruti Shibulal, CEO and Director of Tamara Leisure Experiences.

Though these climatic impacts are less friendly to coffee crops, Shibulal believes they have the advantage of scientific studies to inform how we can prepare for this impending change. Collaboration and knowledge sharing between those with high knowledge of the crop and those with research-driven and technological expertise is vital to assess, test and implement viable solutions.

Robusta is grown extensively in Coorg. Photo Credit: Shutterstock

“The Tamara Coorg is a 100 per cent organic plantation. Therefore, our irrigation is entirely dependent on rainfall. Rainwater harvesting tanks here facilitate the annual reuse of 90 lakh litres of rainwater. These reserves do marginally help us contend with unpredictable weather patterns. However, the coffee trees depend on rain and sunshine in balanced intervals to yield the greatest number of healthy berries,” she added.

According to Shibulal, instead of using measures like industrial fans or increased labour to speed up the drying process of coffee berries, they focus on protecting and nourishing their coffee trees using organic fertilisers and natural supplements. They also prioritise sustainable practices like reusing rainwater for irrigation and actively monitoring soil health. She further emphasised the importance of maintaining a tree canopy structure, which creates a favourable micro-climate for coffee plants and supports biodiversity.

“I would turn my support to local and regional producers or individual plantations (whenever possible). Smaller establishments will face greater challenges during times such as these. As consumers, we must lend our loyalty to those actively pursuing practices that combat climate change in the long run,” Shibulal concluded.

Climate Change Affecting Coffee Planters All Over
Tapaswini Purnesh, a fifth generation coffee planter and Director–Marketing & Promotions of Classic Coffee, mentioned that other coffee planters, including the Harley Estate at Sakleshpur in Karnataka, are also battling climate change.

“The worst scenario is the last 4 to 5 years, where we have been experiencing heavy rains during harvest season, i.e., November to February, which normally is a complete dry spell. India is unique to the sun drying of coffee. However, due to unseasonal rains during harvest, plantations are now installing mechanical dryers to avoid quality deterioration,” Purnesh said.

She also stated that coffee production is highly labour-dependent. In the long run, finding labour may become increasingly challenging, an evident trend. As the cost of implementing adaptive measures rises and the arduousness of growing quality coffee amidst climatic pressures is considered, customers must acknowledge that good coffee comes with a price tag. “The coffee growers will be motivated to enhance and refine their coffee cultivation practices if they receive adequate remuneration from the price realisation.”

Meanwhile, the latest estimates warn that climate change may mean that as much as half of the land used for coffee production worldwide may no longer be suitable for it by the middle of the century if global warming continues at this rate. So, as all these coffee planters suggest, every citizen must be more responsible towards our environment, travel responsibly, and follow more sustainable practices to save our environment and the most loved, coffee.

source: http://www.outlookindia.com / Outlook Traveller / Home> Explore> Story / by Deepa Shri Rajan / June 25th, 2023

This Fruity, Citrus Organic Coffee Grown In Nagaland Hills Just Won Gold

Coffee Board, India (wef. Nov 17, 2021), Coffee News, World Opinion

Highlights

  • Naga Coffee was awarded Gold for Nagaland Washing Station Natural Coffee during the Aurora International Taste Challenge (AITC) 2023 held on 9 June in South Africa.
  • Local farmers from the state capital Kohima produced the coffee that entered the competition.
  • The Naga Coffee was experimented with a new drying process this year. Ripe coffee cherries were brought from a few local farmers and dried in a polyhouse during the winter season in Kohima.
  • The idea behind this is to promote homegrown Himalayan coffee with a natural citrus flavour and generate employment in the State.

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Naga Coffee was awarded Gold for Nagaland Washing Station Natural Coffee during the Aurora International Taste Challenge (AITC) 2023 held on 9 June in South Africa.

Local farmers from the state capital Kohima produced the coffee that entered the competition.

The Naga coffee team that processed the award-winning coffee consisted of Dr Pieter Vermeulen, co-founder, Kajiikho Ariicho and Ënga Antühü, the mill manager. 

The Naga Coffee team/ nagalandtribune.in

Held in South Africa this year, the Aurora International Taste Challenge was established to recognise and award food and drink excellence internationally while helping consumers confidently purchase award-winning, expertly-rated products. 

Unique process of coffee processing 

The Naga Coffee was experimented with a new drying process this year. Ripe coffee cherries were brought from a few local farmers and dried in a polyhouse during the winter season in Kohima. 

Before the final processing of the coffee, it was sundried for three days in Dimapur. This double-drying process produced a wonderful sweetness. 

Coffee beans being sundried/ nagalandtribune.in

This season, only 120 kg of this particular coffee was produced. But it was for the first time that Nagaland has produced a coffee that scored above 85 points on the Speciality Coffee Associations scale. 

Coffee production in India 

In the 2016-17 season, India had produced 5.5 million bags of coffee. Most of the country’s coffee is grown in the three southern states of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. India processes coffee by the washed (or wet) method as well as the natural (or dry) method. 

But more recently, there has been a growing demand for premium and speciality coffees as consumers become increasingly interested in unique flavour profiles and high-quality products. Further, customers show greater interest in coffees that offer additional health benefits, such as antioxidants or energy-boosting properties. 

This is where Nagaland coffee comes in – grown in the forests in the mountainous areas of Nagaland. 

Coffee in Nagaland 

Various districts of Nagaland, like Zunheboto, Mon, Wokha, Khar and Boje, offer high-altitude speciality coffee grown in the natural forest shade. 

Coffee grown in Nagaland/ Nagaland government

This is part of Naga Coffee – a public-private partnership – which was formalised in 2016 as a Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Land Resources, Nagaland and Noble Cause, a South African Company by Peter Vermeulen. 

The coffee seeds are procured from the Coffee Board of India and sent to small farmers to be planted. Later these coffees are roasted by the Naga Coffee team. The idea behind this is to promote homegrown Himalayan coffee with a natural citrus flavour and generate employment in the State.

source: http://www.indiatimes.in / India Times / Home> News> India / by Shristi B Dutta / June 13th, 2023