Brew and Wander: Top 10 Coffee Destinations in India for Caffeine Lovers
India is a land known for its chai lovers. From college hangouts with friends to a plate of hot pakoras, chai is the perfect accompaniment.
Well, sure, chai is great! But for those who crave the refined and nuanced profile of flavours, Indian coffee grown amidst gentle highlands is definitely the best pick. In fact, it puts an end to the tedious chai versus coffee debate by carving a unique niche all for itself with its appealing aroma and fine taste!
Lately, India’s coffee culture has been undergoing a rapid transition. India’s choice in this classic beverage is no longer limited to filter coffees alone. From the cosy cafes of Delhi to drive-throughs by the busy roads of Bengaluru, the entrepreneurs and young baristas are changing the way we understand, brew and drink coffee!
But if you really want to experience what goes into your cup, sipping them in the cafes or while navigating traffic is not enough. Grown amidst picture-postcard-perfect settings, these beans beckon you to explore the Indian coffee plantations while indulging in their speciality coffee.
Join us as we take you through the top destinations for coffee tourism in India.
Coorg, Karnataka – The Coffee Capital of India
When we think about the finest Indian coffee beans, the first name that generally pops up in our mind is Coorg. No, it’s not just because Coorg is beautiful and fits our idea of the perfect coffee plantations. It’s much more than that. To begin with, its unique geographical position means that it gets both ample sunshine and rainfall. With the complementary conditions in one place, planters here can grow both the Arabica and Robusta variants. Thus, it has rightly earned its name as the ‘Coffee Capital of India’.
The Coorg coffee plantations are among the oldest in the country. As these plantations have lately opened their doors to tours and stays, visitors can explore their brews in a more intimate way while experiencing the coffee estate stays in Coorg.
Coorg Must-Try List:
- Taste filtered coffee in popular cafés like Big Cup.
- Explore estate-grown blends while they explain the composition.
- Buy organic coffees and brew a cup of pure and sustainable delight.
Chikmagalur, Karnataka – Birthplace of Indian Coffee
If you are a true coffee lover, surely there must have been times when you wondered where or how this drink originated in India. India’s origin story of coffee is as fascinating as the brews, and it is this story that takes us to Chikmagalur.
Coffee is not native to India. Clearly it has travelled distant lands before blooming in the rich soil of the southern region.Popular legends narrate that around the 1600s, a mystic named Baba Budan brought with him seven seeds of coffee from Yemen. He spread them around the hills where he lived, and in no time the ample rainfall and mild climate of Chikmagalur nurtured them to growth. Over time, its cultivation grew, making Chikmagalur one of the biggest producers of coffee in India. The hill that is identified as the birthplace of coffee in India is known as the Baba Budan Giri. It is also one of the most important stops in the Karnataka Coffee Trail.
Chikmagalur Must-Try List:
- Explore popular trek routes that lead to breathtaking views.
- Stay at the heart of where the coffee is grown – the coffee estates.
- Visit the coffee museum that traces back the journey of coffee here.
Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh – Tribal Coffee Paradise
Like many other parts of India, coffee was first introduced to Araku Valley during the British rule. The gentle slopes of the Eastern Ghat and the nourishing soil gave the crop the favourable conditions for growth. How then is the Araku coffee different from all other coffee of India?
For this one has to come a few years ahead of Independence. In the 1950s, the Andhra Pradesh Forest Department initiated systematic coffee plantations to empower the tribal communities. As the coffee here is grown under the shade of trees such as mangoes, jackfruit and silver oak, the Arabica coffee here has a vividly fruity and caramel note. Grown sustainably, the organic coffee plantations yield the finest variant of tribal coffee in India.
Through the initiatives launched by the Naandi Foundation, the coffee here has gained wide recognition on the global stage, even earning it prestigious awards.
Araku Must-Try List:
- Try artisanal brews grown in the plantations here.
- Celebrate the seasonal speciality and the spirit of harvest at the Gems of Araku festival.
Wayanad, Kerala – Coffee Meets Spices
Counted among the coffee lovers’ paradise, Wayanad holds a prominent place in Kerala coffee tourism. Its soothing climate and lush greenery do not just support the growth of premium coffee; they also give India some of its finest tea and spices. Many of the Wayanad coffee plantations, in fact, rest in the shade of these other crops, giving the coffee a richer texture of flavours.
The spice plantations with coffee are an ideal place to relax, rejuvenate and enjoy long walking tours.
Wayanad Must-Try List:
- Take guided coffee plantation tours
- Set some time for coffee tasting sessions and brewing classes
- Visit the Edakkal Caves and Lakkidi View Point
Yercaud, Tamil Nadu – The Jewel of the South
Nestled amidst the lush greenery of the Eastern Ghats, Yercaud offers a refreshing break from the hustle and bustle of city life, transporting you to a magical land where time seems to slow down.
Its mild temperature and elevation give the coffee plantations here the right environment to develop into the finest quality of Arabica beans. Tasting this carefully harvested Yercaud coffee while enjoying the misty weather is definitely a memory worth making.
Yercaud Must-Try List
- Spot many colourful birds in their original habitat.
- Visit the Yercaud lake.
Sakleshpur, Karnataka – Hidden Coffee Gem
A serene escapade in the Western Ghats, Sakleshpur is one of those offbeat coffee destinations that promises you an immersive experience without overwhelming you, unlike the usual tourist destinations. A hidden gem in the Karnataka coffee tourism circuit, the place offers a perfect blend of nature’s undiluted beauty and perfect coffee beans!
The Arabica coffee manors cover the hills, giving the Sakleshpur coffee estates some of the prettiest views and fine walking trails.
Sakleshpur Must-Try List
- Take coffee estate tours and try their fresh spice-induced brews.
- Trek the green route.
- Experience local Manjarabad hospitality.
Nagaland – India’s Northeast Coffee Revolution
For most people in India, the idea of coffee is often limited to the Southern region of the country. But in the quiet corners of Northeast India, luxuriant brews of coffee are scripting a new revolution!
One such destination is Nagaland. From ignored plantations to growing award-winning variants, the journey of Nagaland coffee is worth experiencing first-hand! A great way to experience all of it in one place is to time your visit with the Coffee Canvas festival celebrated in the state. Dates can be confirmed from the Nagaland tourism website.
Nagaland Must-Try List
- Try locally grown organic Indian coffee such as the Mon and Mokochung.
- Visit the cosy local cafes.
Shillong, Meghalaya – Café Culture in the Hills
You may have seen pictures of its crystal-clear rivers and gurgling waterfalls. But Meghalaya is much more than the usual tourist destinations. It is definitely one of the liveliest places to experience the northeast India coffee tourism.
Meghalaya’s capital city, Shillong, boasts of some of the finest cafés not just in the region but in the entire country. The quiet, laid-back town offers its visitors local brews that delight at every sip, along with charming music for accompaniment.
Dylan’s café is particularly popular, bringing together art, coffee and Shillong’s music culture all under one roof!
Shillong Must-Try List:
- Shillong cafés like the Dylan’s and MLO5
- Local cuisine
Kodaikanal, Tamil Nadu – Cloud-Kissed Coffee
Known for its pleasant climate and scenic beauty, Kodaikanal is another destination that is known to produce some of the finest batches of Tamil Nadu Arabica coffee.
The coffee plantation tours here are not just about understanding the beverage; they are an immersion into the nature and culture of this place. The Kodaikanal coffee is nourished by the ample rainfall here and offers a distinct flavour that lingers with you long after you return.
Kodaikanal Must-Try List:
- Visit the Silver Oak Estate and Vattakanal Coffee Plantations.
- Enjoy a leisurely stroll through Coakers Walk.
Manipur – Exotic Coffee from the Hills
It’s not unusual to find Manipuri coffee placed alongside the best global coffees today. This is because Manipur is not just growing coffee; they have literally mastered the art of Indian speciality coffee.
Its misty mountain roads lead you to the finest northeast organic coffee, unmatched both in terms of taste and aroma. The many cafés that have popped up here add to the growing coffee culture!
Manipur Must-Try List
- Witness organic coffee farming first-hand at places like Ukhrul.
- Attend the barista workshops and learn the art of coffee-making.
Coffee in India has journeyed from a beverage to a complete cultural journey! So if you are a coffee enthusiast, pick your destination from our expansive list and set out on an aromatic and unforgettable journey.
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