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Know the Coffee Land of India: Chikmagalur

The history of coffee in India is the history of Chikmagalur. Packed with beautiful hills and greenery, Chikmagalur is one of the major tourist places situated in the state of Karnataka. But no visit to the place is complete without tasting the coffee of the place. Known as the coffee land of India, the place has the finest coffee plantation in the country. Adding to this, Chikmagalur is the birthplace of coffee cultivation in the country. So knowing deep about the place can be a great experience for the coffee lovers.

The history

The coffee was introduced to India through Chikmagalur. The credit for bringing coffee to India goes to the Sufi Saint, Baba, also known as Hazarat Shah Janab Allah Magatabi. He brought the seeds of the coffee from Arabia after a pilgrimage from Mecca. He smuggled 7 coffee beans back to Mysore in the year of 1670 AD and cultivated them in the Chandragiri Hills of Chikmagalur. Even though taking out green coffee beans out of Arabia was considered illegal, Baba took it as a religious act because the number seven is a sacrosanct number in the Islamic tradition. Following this, people started systematic cultivation of the plant and later private firms took over the process. The widespread cultivation of coffee in the region started around 1840 near Baba Budan Giri. Later, British rulers took over the cultivation and started the cultivation of Arabica coffee plantations. Baba Budhan’s shrine still exists in the hills as a remembrance of the coffee history of India.  

Why is it called the Coffee Land of India?

Apart from being the starting point of Indian coffee production, Chikmagalur is also the highest producer of coffee in the country, accounting for about 71% of total production. The whole region is filled with coffee plantations. You may even find a lot of resorts situated in the middle of coffee plantations here. The place is famous for its filter coffee products and has all the suitable elements for coffee cultivation such as mixture of red and black soil, apt temperature and climate. The soil also holds more iron content which is good for the growth of coffee. It is estimated that most of the residents in the district are involved in coffee cultivation as their livelihood. In a nutshell, the whole of Chikmagalur is about coffee and its cultivation. Thus the name Coffee Land of India.

Types of Coffee in Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur has two varieties of coffee- Arabica and Robusta. These two are mainly grown in the region and contribute to the 99% of production from the region. Approximately, the region produces 35, 900 metric tons of Arabica and 48, 110 tons of Robusta per year. While the coffee production of the whole country is about 103,100 MT of Arabica and 247,300 MT of Robusta. But it is always a matter of amusement that a single place grows both types of coffees that differ in the taste. Arabica has a more delicate flavor and is more preferred all around the world. Robusta has a stronger taste.

Coffee Museum in Chikmagalur

A place you can never miss if you are visiting Chikmagalur is the Coffee Museum that explains the whole history and the production of Coffee in a very attractive manner. An initiation of the Coffee Board of India, the museum along with the history will take you through the geography and botany of the Coffee plantations. The thematically arranged museum is an encyclopedia of coffee and can leave an enthralling experience on the visitors. The museum is another reason for making the region stick with the name of coffee land of India. 

Want to taste the Chikmagalur coffee without visiting the place? Buy pure coffee powders from Kaaveri Coffee. Chennai’s best coffee powder manufacturer takes fresh coffee beans from the hills of Chikmagalur to produce fine coffee materials. Order online now-taste the Chikmagalur coffee from the comfort of your house.