Indian coffee travels a long way around the world; starting in the Southern states that constitute India’s coffee country. India produces nearly 280000 tonnes of coffee and exports about 70 per cent of it. Karnataka accounts for 70 per cent of the total coffee production in India, and the Chandragiri Hills in Chikmagalur are the wellspring of India’s coffee culture. The hills are intricately woven into local coffee mythology – the beans, a gift from Baba Budan, the Sufi priest who introduced coffee to India from the port of Mocha in Yemen, were sown in the Chandragiri Hills and the neighbouring Baba Budan hills.

Serene and picturesque coffee estates abound in the higher reaches of Chickmagalur, Hassan and Coorg districts of Karnataka, Salem in Tamil Nadu and Wayanad in Kerala. While Robustas can grow well even at 1500 feet, Arabicas need an altitude of 3500 feet and more. These estates, many dating back to British times, produce some of the best coffee beans in the world – Robusta Kaapi Royale, Monsooned Coffees and Mysore Nuggets Extra Bold.

How people like their coffee depends on the aroma and flavour profiles of the varieties. The coffees of different regions and the varieties are assessed based on their organoleptic characteristics. Coffee roasting is a delicate art that is important to creating consistent quality. Coffee cup tasters create new blends using coffees of different origins and varieties.

Life in the coffee estates revolves around the celebrated bean, and changes with the seasons. Coffee growing is highly labour intensive and supports 550000 jobs. An equal number of people contribute in related fields of the coffee value chain – processing, marketing, trading, exports and retailing.

Indian coffee is grown in the shade and often intercropped with pepper, orange, areca nut, vanilla, banana and citrus trees – all making for a heavenly and perfect blend of subtle aromas. Coffee is one of the most eco-friendly crops in the country and helps preserve the fragile bio-diversity in the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats, which stretch 1600 km along the Western edge of the Deccan Plateau. The mountains intercept rain bearing westerly monsoons, providing the perfect micro-climate of shade and plentiful water for the coffee crop.

Quite rightly, the produce of such a rejuvenating locale is good for you and drinking four to five cups a day is most beneficial. Studies show that coffee is a good source of antioxidants and a natural mood enhancer. The most recent findings give caffeine an emphatic thumbs up. It helps enhance concentration, dispels lethargy, revitalises the liver and reduces the risk of diabetes, cancer and Parkinson’s disease.

What could be better than this invigorating drink that lets you work harder, and makes you feel better and all this without any known health risks?

The Coffee Board was established in 1942 to provide marketing support to growers. Over the past 66 years, it has effectively played the roles of partner, mentor, friend, philosopher and guide to the coffee industry.

The Board totally withdrew from marketing operations by 1995-96 once it was convinced the industry could handle it on its own. Its role now is to provide support in research, development, extension, quality control and market promotion. It represents the Indian coffee industry as a nodal agency and advises the Government of India on all coffee matters.

The Coffee Board conducts regular diploma courses in coffee quality management, producing professionals like coffee tasters and coffee roasters for the industry.

To encourage youth interested in making a career in the coffee industry, the Coffee Board partners in the promotion of The Indian Barista Championship, a platform for Barista from all over the country. The winners of the pan-Indian contest take the international stage at the World Barista Championship.