Indian Monsoon Malabar

One of India’s finest coffees, Monsoon Malabar is also one of the most beloved in our range. Exceptionally smooth with a sweet, spicy kick, this coffee is unique to the lush Malabar Coast of Karnataka and Kerala, where it enjoys protected status. Care is taken to select fully ripened cherries that are naturally sun-dried and hulled.

The signature “monsooning” process occurs when the green processed coffee is transported to the Malabar coastal city of Mangalore during the rainy monsoon months (June to August) and spread out on large covered patios. Here, the coffee can slowly absorb moisture, causing it to swell and turn white. The swollen white coffee is placed in warehouses, where constant movement reduces the moisture to 11 percent, preventing damage during export.

Monsoon Malabar’s unique process of exposure was discovered by chance back in the 16th century. As spice ships transported the beans across the seas to Europe, the damp, humid conditions in the holds caused the beans to swell, neutralising acidity and producing a deep, heavy sweetness – an immediate hit with Europeans.