There are four main varieties of coffee in the world. These are Arabica, Robusta , Excelsa and Liberca.

India offers some of the best varieties of Arabica and Robusta coffee. The various coffee growing regions in India offer their own popular varieties of Arabica and Robusta.

It, therefore, comes as no surprise that India is also one of the largest exporters of coffee to the world.

What is special about Indian coffee is that it is the finest coffee grown in shade rather than in direct sunlight anywhere in the world. It is thereafter handpicked and sundried.

India also offers some of the best organically produced coffee that is enjoyed by coffee connoisseurs worldwide.

India offers a diverse variety of coffee based on the various regions it is produced. It is interesting to know that Southern India is the largest producer of coffee – given the favourable weather conditions for its cultivation.

The state of Karnataka is the largest producer of coffee with the state accounting for 54% of the coffee production followed by 19 % in Kerala and 8% in Tamil Nadu. It is also grown in small quantities in the states of Northeast, Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

Among the notable coffee, varieties are Monsooned Malabar Robusta, Coorg Arabica, Wayanad Robusta, Chikmagalur Arabica, Araku Valley Arabica, Bababudangiris Arabica. All of these varieties have been awarded the GI certification.

Let’s understand the origins of these coffee varieties.

Coorg Arabica: The Coorg Arabica variety of coffee is grown specifically in Karnataka’s Kodagu or Coorg region. Coorg is also one of the largest coffee-producing regions of India.

Wayanad Robusta: The Wayanad Robusta coffee is native to the Wayanad district of Kerala.

Chikmagalur Arabica: The Chikmagalur Arabica is grown specifically in the Chikmagalur district in the Deccan plateau of Karnataka. This is also one of the largest producing regions alongside Coorg.

Araku Valley Arabica: Araku Valley Arabica coffee is native to the hills of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. It is grown at 900-1100 Mt MSL elevation. The speciality of this coffee is that the tribals who grow the coffee here use an organic approach.

Bababudangiris Arabica: This coffee comes from coffee’s birthplace in India, the Bababudangiri hills in central Chikmagalur. This variety referred to as high grown coffee slowly ripens in mild climatic conditions giving it a distinct flavour and aroma.