PPP Coffee India Alilu Estate

Country/Region: India/Coorg

Varietal: S795, Selection 6

Processing: Washed

Elevation: 1000 m.a.s.l.

We Taste: Milk Chocolate, Nougat, Pecan

To keep up with global demand, coffee in India is primarily produced via conventional agricultural methods. Over time, this results in depleted yields and compromised quality that negatively impacts the longevity of the land and the farmer’s livelihood. This is different for Alilu Estate, a family-run farm with three generations of experience.

The estate consistently employs local villagers as well as neighbours from the surrounding forest, to maintain and harvest coffee and other crops year-round. Blessed with perennial springs that supply the farm with fresh water, the farm grows not just coffee but also other crops such as figs, pepper, ginger and bird's eye chilli.

During harvest season, the workers go through 3 rounds of selective picking, choosing only the optimal ripeness. Cherries first enter a siphon tank, with the floaters removed. The outer skin of the cherries are then removed by the depulper, and then the mucilage. The pulp is collected and later used on the farm land. The coffee goes on to dry under a shade net, on terracotta then concrete courtyard, until it reaches an optimal moisture level of 11-13%. Before export, the dried parchment is sent to a dry mill nearby, to get rid of any defectives beans and undergo a final round of color sorting.

The resulting cup is clean and high quality. With quality-focused farms such as Alilu Estate leading the charge, it has impacted other producers in India to do the same, stepping up quality and introducing sustainable practices. We are glad to be part of this evolution of specialty coffee in India.