India Ratnagiri Honey Process

This farm in the Bababudangiri region is consistently producing the best Indian coffees season after season. This honey processed (another term for semi-washed) has a lovely apple & orange notes on the front end, with some sweet honey and caramel finish. Absolutely superb filter and really interesting Espresso coffee (which I would recommend pulling as a ristretto). 

The Hindi word 'Ratnagiri' translates literally to 'Pearl Mountain', a reference to the dense silver oak canopy which crowns this farm. Ratnagiri was established in 1920 and is owned and operated by Ashok Patre, having been passed down from Grandfather, to father to son. This honey processed, single variety (Selection 9) microlot is dried on raised beds for 16 to 20 days.

Ashok Patre is a progressive. Well-travelled and bursting with initiative, he has drawn inspiration from elsewhere to step beyond the boundaries of traditional Indian coffee cultivation and processing. Brix levels are tested before harvesting. Processing includes natural, honey and fermentation experiments alongside the traditional washed.

For all intents and purposes Ratnagiri Estate is an organic/biodynamic farm and also maintains official Rainforest Alliance Certification. Quarterly soil tests and organic corrections to soil are applied. Ionic seawater and sea weed extract are applied to improve plant immunity and sugar levels of the fruit. 

The estate is a lush shaded environment with 3 stories of shade. It is home to over 48 recorded bird populations, monkeys, leopards, wild boar, tigers, mongoose and - on occasion - elephants. The rich biodiversity demands that Ashok and his family have an approach to farming which places ecology and harmony with the environment at the forefront. This is a world class farm& truly one of the leading coffee agronomy practices in India.

Price shown per 500g