Tag Archives: Arabica Coffee

Historic Milestone in Coffee Industry: Robusta Prices Surpass Arabica, Reach All-Time High

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HIGHLIGHTS

In a groundbreaking development for the coffee industry, robusta coffee prices have surged past Arabica prices to reach an unprecedented all-time high, driven by global supply shortages.

Historic Milestone in Coffee Industry: Robusta Prices Surpass Arabica, Reach All-Time High

Bengaluru:

In a groundbreaking development for the coffee industry, robusta coffee prices have surged past Arabica prices to reach an unprecedented all-time high, driven by global supply shortages. The farmgate price of robusta green coffee berries soared to a record ₹172 per kg in the Wayanad market, on Wednesday marking a significant increase from ₹115 per kg during the same period last year. Additionally, the spot price of Robusta Parchment coffee beans skyrocketed to an all-time high of ₹315 per kg, compared to ₹220 per kg in March 2023. Notably, in March 2022, the rates for raw fruits and parchment stood at ₹80 and ₹145 respectively.

In the Kodagu market, the price of robusta parchment surged to Rs 14,700 per 50 kg bag, setting a new milestone. This marks the first time that the price of cherry and parchment coffee has surpassed that of Arabica. Arabica cherry coffee is currently priced between 8000-8200 per 50 kg bag, while robusta commands a higher price of over 8600 -8700 rupees.

Experts attribute this remarkable surge in prices to a combination of factors, including a surge in global demand and crop failures in leading coffee exporting countries like Brazil, Indonesia, and Vietnam due to extreme weather conditions. Despite challenges in yield, India’s coffee production is expected to reach 3.54 lakh tonnes, slightly up from last year’s production of 3.52 lakh tonnes, according to officials from the Coffee Board.

Former Coffee Board member, Dr. Sannuwanda Kaveerappa, predicts a further rise in robusta coffee prices, attributing it to crop destruction in Vietnam and Indonesia and the superior quality of Indian coffee compared to other regions. With Karnataka leading the way, accounting for 71% of the country’s coffee production, followed by Kerala (21%) and Tamil Nadu (5%), India remains a significant player in the global coffee market.

As coffee prices soar, it is anticipated that prices in hotels, restaurants, and coffee shops will witness an upward trend in the coming months, potentially impacting consumers. This price hike may prompt consumers to shift towards other alternatives like tea. Additionally, the rise in robusta prices may lead Arabica growers to consider transitioning to robusta cultivation due to its lower maintenance costs and rarity of borer infestation. Market analysts anticipate further increases in coffee prices in the coming days, with the possibility of maintaining stability even in the face of minor fluctuations.

source: http://www.thehansindia.com / Hans India / Home> News> State> Karnataka / by Coovercolly Indresh / Hans News Service / March 28th, 2024

Robusta coffee price touches all-time high

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Price of robusta coffee has dropped due to supply shortage and global factors.

Farm workers harvesting coffee beans at a plantation in Wayanad district of Kerala. | Photo Credit: E.M. MANOJ

The robusta coffee farmers in south India are jubilant post-harvest with their produce fetching an all-time high price.

The farmgate price of raw robusta coffee berries touched a record ₹172 a kg in Wayanad market on Saturday, as against ₹115 a kg during the corresponding period last year. Meanwhile, spot price of robusta coffee beans stood at ₹315 a kg, up from ₹210 during the same period in 2023. The price was ₹80 and ₹145 a kg for raw berries and beans respectively in March 2022.

Though the harvest is almost complete, there has been a huge shortfall in the supply of coffee to the market this year, thereby contributing to the increase in coffee prices, says sources.

Multiple factors

“We expect a decline of 30% in the production of robusta this year owing to climatic vagaries, especially the scanty blossom shower in robusta growing regions last year,” sources said.

A sharp decline in production of robusta coffee — nearly 2 million bags — in Vietnam, a major Robusta coffee growing country, has also attributed to the increase in price, the sources added. Robusta coffee production in Indonesia too dipped sharply this year, the sources added.

Notably, the price of Arabica variety of coffee has dropped below the price of robusta coffee. The farmgate price of the Arabica variety coffee was ₹305 per kg on Saturday. Though the Arabica variety always fetched a premium price in the market, it is the robusta variety that is witnessing an increase due to its low availability for the first time.

Farmers suspect that the production may decline by 25% to 30% next year too owing to a dearth of backup showers in many robusta coffee growing areas in the country.

Wayanad in Kerala, which is the largest robusta coffee producing district in the country after Coorg in Karnataka, received a rainfall of 29.3 mm in the first week of January. Major parts of the district received no rain since then.

The January showers helped in the blossoming of robusta coffee plants, farmers say. But the absence of backup showers, a major factor in the formation of berries, is a concern.

According to Coffee Board of India, the total production of coffee in the country during the 2022-23 fiscal was 3,52,000 tonnes, including 2,52,000 tons of robusta coffee.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> News> India> Kerala / by E M Manoj / March 24th, 2024

Brewing memories: Rediscover the bitter-sweet trail of coffee

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Every person has a different relationship with coffee- some are purists – you know the ones who will talk about their beans, roasts, and brewing methods.

(IANS photo)

Every person has a different relationship with coffee- some are purists – you know the ones who will talk about their beans, roasts, and brewing methods. Others just want a caffeine hit, regardless of where and how it comes from. Then you have the adventurers, the experimentals who enjoy their beverage with a twist- they’ll try raspberry, mint, bubblegum, and be risque with their drink. What we are trying to say is the way we intake coffee might differ, but we’re all united by our need for this concoction.

You’ve heard of Champagne from France, but did you know that coffee also has its GI tags – namely from Kodagu (Coorg), Bababudangiri, Chikkamagaluru, Araku Valley and Wayanad?

Currently, India is the only country in the world where the entire coffee cultivation is grown under shade, hand-picked and sun dried. Indian coffee beans are exported widely around the globe, and valued especially in European markets as ‘premium’ coffee. In 2022-2023 alone, India is estimated to have produced about 3,52,000 metric tonnes of coffee beans (Arabica and Robusta), with the southern regions dominating the landscape with a produce of 326,415 metric tonnes.

In India, our southern counterpart shares an intimate relation with these dark beans- A steaming cup of filter kaapi is very personal to the residents here and rightfully so since, this is where coffee was born and grew up. Coffee has been an innate part of life in these hilly regions and it has everything to do with these four places- Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu (Coorg), Wayanad, Araku Valley.

Chikkamagaluru – Arabica

The birthplace of the world’s most adored beverage is known for tall lush green trees and huge coffee estate produces 96,180 Metric tonnes of coffee, making it India’s largest producer. Arabica and Robusta are the two kinds found in these regions the most. Visit Chikkamagaluru and go on a tour of the coffee plantations to discover how coffee is made. You can also try Korebi Coffee’s Barbara Estate Beans, available on CRED Store.

Kodagu (Coorg) – Arabica

Coorg is a tiny district tucked away into the deep valleys of a fertile stretch famous for Arabica and Robusta. Score some of this 100% authentic Arabica coffee from Estate Monkeys single estate range, and while you’re at it, don’t miss out on a tour of these rich, dense plantations!

Estate Monkeys brings you fresh, 100% pure and premium Arabica beans from Baragalli Estate & Puttana Koppalu Estate plantations across North Coorg. Selectivity, traceability, transparency and quality describes and complements this coffee. From growing to brewing, every step is monitored and accounted for.

The first step of quality check takes place at the estate level. Shade-grown coffee supports biodiversity, native flora and fauna and migratory birds. They retain huge biodiversity thus complementing the coffee plants with various fruit bearing trees and spices which as a matter of fact adds on to the flavours of coffee. The hand-picked ripe cherries are hand-sorted with utmost care. They are introduced into machines to remove the fruit pulp and later washed in clear water to remove the mucilage. The washed beans are laid out in thin layers and dried naturally under the sun for a few days constantly by using rakes and later transferred into hulling machines for removal of the skin.

Wayanad – Robusta

In the Wayanad district of Kerala, Robusta coffee is grown both as a pure crop and in combination with pepper. The majority of Kerala’s coffee is grown in Wayanad, which also serves as the foundation of the state’s coffee industry. The region has a lot to offer to nature enthusiasts and people looking for a quiet, serene break.

Araku Valley – Arabica

Arabica here has a light to medium strength and a lovely acidity with a grapefruit citrus note combined with a faint jaggery-like sweetness. It is grown in areas of the Koraput district in Odisha and Visakhapatnam.

Barring these GI-tagged beans, some other lesser-known but equally exciting types of coffee include Monsoon Malabar, an exclusive variety found in the Malabar region of Kerala. You can find this whole bean roasted variety through Dope Coffee Roasters, along with another infamous variety staple to the Nilgiri Regions in the south, Nilgiri Coffee Beans.

If you want to know more about the coffee world, maybe it is time for you and your family to have your own little adventure in these dense, thriving mountain regions- freshly brewed cups of bitter coffee served alongside some sweet, sweet memories.

source: http://www.thestatesman.com / The Stateman / Home> Lifestyle / by IANS, New Delhi / October 08th, 2023

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

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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

Caf’e Civet day

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In a pretty little camp in Coorg, you can find one of the world’s most expensive coffees. The rider: it comes in the guise of cat poop

Kari Beckoo (so called in Kannada) or Kopi Luwak is one of the most expensive, most aromatic coffees in the world. Internationally, it can fetch anywhere between Rs 15,000 and 20,000 a kilo. A cuppa will set you back by a cool Rs 2,000. For something so obviously exclusive, Kopi Luwak (as it is known in Indonesia and the Philippines), has very down to earth origins.

Type: Food discovery
Best from: Bengaluru
You need: 2 days

Coffee beans drying in the sun are a common site on most house terracesin the area and estates. Pics/ AMrita Bose

It comes from the poo of the civet cat. Our visit to the Civet Creek Camp, located 18 km from Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu or Coorg, was centred around an agenda very different from that of regular tourism. We were hot on the trail of the Asian Palm Civet cat and its bowel movements to inspect it from a purely epicurean perspective. The Palm Civet cat’s droppings, left under coffee plants, are responsible for one of the most expensive and aromatic coffees in the world.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Palm Civet Cat feeds on ripe coffee berries that are partly digested
and worked on by enzymes before being discarded in its excreta.

Bordered by reserve forest area and frequently visited by civet cats, Civet Creek Camp was started three years ago on an eight-year-old coffee estate that offers accommodation only in tents. Pitch your own tent in the open or borrow one under a shack and you are all set to play (boy or girl) scout. Warm up with rope walking, air rifle shooting, trampling, or spider walking or just lie on the web at night to watch the stars.

We timed our visit with the beginning of the coffee picking season — just after December; usually the time when civet cats eat ripe coffee berries. Although the owner Madappa warned us about the difficulty of finding droppings since the season was almost over, we were determined.

Mission poo
The area frequented by civet cats was near a waterfall in a forest area bordering a village called Awandur. Getting there involved trekking a distance of four kilometres on foot. We set out early in the morning with our guide Vasu, who is considered a poop-spotting expert.

The trek involved meandering through narrow coffee estate pathways, through terraced fields, passing by thatched roofed homes and watching coffee beans drying in the sun while scarecrows stood guard next to a couple of new homes under construction. Here, the scarecrows help ward off the evil eye and bring in good luck.

Like a hound strong on the trail of blood, Vasu was on high alert by now, poking around in coffee bushes as we trudged uphill next to a meandering stream fed by a waterfall. On the way, we spotted a giant Shikakai tree — a natural detangler for hair — the black sooty sap of which is extracted for incense sticks and the occasional cardamom plant.

Vasu explained that Coorg was originally known for its cardamom plantations, not coffee, but dwindling labour forces in recent years, and the vulnerable nature of cardamom plants had given way to hardy coffee plantations of Arabica and Robusta varities.

A rare species of a fiery coloured snail found in forests nearby

A cat with good taste
Suddenly, Vasu disappeared under a thick coffee shrub only to emerge with what looked like sticky peanut chikki. A little squeamish, we approached it with trepidation. Strangely odourless, the poop contained half-eaten coffee beans.

Enzymes in the cat’s digestive system work on the beans, breaking them down before it’s excreting from its body. The part-digested beans are separated from the dung by washing them thoroughly, and keeping them in water, before drying and roasting them.

The fact that this coffee is completely organically processed, and that the civet cat is one with good taste (it picks only the best coffee beans for consumption), goes a long way in determining the delicate flavour and the aroma associated with this frightfully expensive coffee.

Although the estate doesn’t produce enough to brew or sell this coffee on a largescale basis, the coffee board is willing to accept it at between Rs 3,000 and 5,000 a kilo.

Expensive stash
Eventually, we made it back to Civet Creek Camp in a happy daze, clutching at our prized discovery now neatly sealed in a plastic bag. Oh, and the regular coffee beans drying in the sun that Coorg is oh-so-famous for? We couldn’t care less. The writer travelled to Civet Creek Camp on invitation.

Bored of expensive cat potty? Here’s what you can do in and around Civet Creek Camp
Talakaveri: The birthplace of River Kaveri and a known pilgrimage site, Talakaveri is located on the Brahmagiri hills. The river originates as a spring and feeds into a tank where pilgrims bathe.

 

Jumping on a trampoline is one of the acitivities offered here.

Dubare Elephant Training Camp: Located about 40 km away from Civet Creek, this elephant training camp is run by the Karnataka Forest Department. It houses elephants that are trained under naturalists, and doubles up as a tourist spot. It’s located on the banks of the River Kaveri, with the Dubare Reserve Forest as a backdrop.

Tourists are allowed to participate in a three-hour interaction with elephants which begins with their grooming and scrubbing, feeding them and taking them on a 45-minute ride in the jungle. Resident naturalists will also give you a lowdown on all you need to know about these pachyderms. You need to reach the camp by 8.30 am.

Abbey Falls: Also known as Abbi or Abbe, this waterfall is located in a private coffee estate among pepper trees, about seven km away from Madikeri. A hanging bridge opposite the waterfall offers a breathtaking view.

Kaveri Nisargadhama: A picnic spot on an island formed by river Kaveri is a nature resort with a deer park, orchidarium and a forest full of bamboo, teak and rosewood. The island can be accessed via a hanging bridge. You can rent out tree houses run by the forest department.

Stock up on Coorgi delights
Coffee Powder: A mix of Arabica and Robusta, you can buy filter coffee from the Coffee Board or local shops at Madikeri.

Coorgi Pork Masala: The perfect aid to making the famous Coorgi Pandhi or Pork Curry. Also don’t forget to buy a bottle of black vinegar extracted from Kachampuli, a wild, tart fruit. This vinegar gives that distinct black colour and tangy flavour to the Pandhi curry.

Spices: Stock up on nutmeg, star anise, pepper and cardamom.

Civet Creek Camp FAQs
It only offers tent accommodation with common bathrooms. The camp organises treks to nearby waterfalls, mountain peaks and coffee estate walks. You can request for a special trek to spot civet cat droppings along with estate coffee pickers. Night treks can be organised too. Rs 1,350 per night per person gets you two breakfasts, lunch, dinner and barbeque with unlimited coffee, tea or juice.

Call: 9845827010
Email: civetcreek@gmail.com

 

Getting there

BY ROAD: Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) Volvo buses, known as Airavat, leave Bengaluru every day at 2 pm, 4 pm and 11 pm, and take you to Coorg in five hours. Frequent buses from Mysore are available too. Take any bus going to Talakaveri or an auto rickshaw, and get off at the Betegeri village junction to get to Civet Creek Camp.

BY RAIL: The nearest rail head is Mysore which is connected to all major cities and is two-and-a-half hours away from Madikeri.

BY AIR: The nearest airport is Mysore (120 km) followed by Mangalore (135 km) and Bangalore (250 km).

BEST TIME TO GO:  The best time to visit Coorg is between October and March. The weather is pleasant during the day but temperatures may dip at night. Carry a jacket.

 

source: http://www.mid-day.com / by Amrita Bose / 2011.03.06 / Place: Mumbai