INDIA Plantation A Kaveri Estate

Processing: Washed ; SCA Score: 83 pts

Flavor Profile: Notes of dried apricot, milk chocolate, raisins, and spices.

Located in the state of Karnataka, Kaveri Estate is nestled within the Baba Budangiri Hills, widely regarded as the cradle of coffee culture in India. Altitudes ranging from approximately 1,100 to 1,500 meters, combined with a cool climate and abundant rainfall, create ideal conditions for cultivating Arabica coffees with a complex and elegant aromatic profile.

The estate is managed by multiple generations of the same family, who seamlessly blend traditional expertise with modern processing technologies. The coffee is shade-grown under a diverse canopy of tropical trees within a rich biodiversity ecosystem, alongside crops of pepper, cardamom, citrus, and native forest trees typical of southern Indian plantations. This agroforestry system helps maintain soil fertility and promotes the slow development of coffee cherries, enhancing the accumulation of natural sugars and aromatic compounds.

At Kaveri Estate, harvesting is conducted entirely by hand, ensuring that only cherries at optimal ripeness are picked. Following harvest, each lot is processed separately, with meticulous control over fermentation and drying to guarantee exceptional traceability and a well-defined sensory profile. Depending on the specific lot, methods range from classic Washed and Natural techniques to experimental processing, including anaerobic fermentations that are increasingly celebrated in the specialty coffee industry.

The farm continuously invests in modern infrastructure, utilizing eco-friendly equipment that reduces water consumption during processing alongside specialized facilities for the slow, even drying of the coffee. Furthermore, a significant portion of the organic waste generated during processing is repurposed to produce natural compost, driving a sustainable agricultural model.