Which coffee varieties are grown in India?
6 min read
Most Indian arabica comes from a handful of varieties bred for rust resistance, led by S795 (a Kent and S288 cross from the 1940s), along with Sln 9, Cauvery and the newer Chandragiri, released in 2007. Older Kent and heirloom trees still grow on some estates. On the robusta side, selections like S274 and the CxR hybrid are common.
Varieties are to coffee what grapes are to wine
Within the arabica species there are many varieties, each with its own yield, disease resistance and flavour. In India, the story of varieties is mostly a story of fighting coffee leaf rust, the fungus that wiped out many plantations in the late 1800s.
The Indian research station
The Central Coffee Research Institute at Balehonnur in Chikmagalur has bred and released most of the varieties grown in India. Its selections are often labelled 'Sln', short for Selection, followed by a number.
| Variety | Background | In the cup |
|---|---|---|
| Kent | An early rust-tolerant selection from the 1920s, found on an estate in old Mysore | Sweet, balanced, classic |
| S795 (Sln 795) | Kent crossed with S288, released in the 1940s; still India's most planted arabica | Chocolate, mild spice, gentle fruit, good body |
| Sln 9 | A selection with Ethiopian heritage, crossed with Timor Hybrid | Often floral and fruity, brighter |
| Cauvery | India's name for Catimor, compact and high-yielding | Clean, simple, sometimes plain |
| Chandragiri | A compact, rust-resistant selection released by CCRI in 2007 | Sweet, bold beans, gentle acidity |
| S274 and CxR | Robusta selections; CxR crosses Coffea congensis and robusta | Cocoa, nuts, full body |
Old trees and new experiments
Some estates still keep patches of old heirloom trees, and a growing number are trialling varieties from other coffee countries. You will see these on labels as small, special lots. They are worth tasting, but S795 remains the backbone of Indian arabica.
Tip: When a label names the variety, note it down with your tasting notes. After a few bags you'll start to spot what you like in S795 versus Sln 9 or Chandragiri.
Does variety matter more than process?
Process and roast usually shout louder than variety. Variety shows best in washed, light to medium roasts where nothing else is masking it. If you want to taste the plant, buy washed coffees.
Washed arabicas to taste variety
See all →
Naga Mist - Highland Washed I Nagaland Single Origin
Kerehaklu Estate - Blossom Culture Washed - Chikmagalur - Light Roast
Mahseer’s Hope
Questions
What is the most common arabica variety in India?
S795. It has been planted widely since the mid-1900s for its rust tolerance and pleasant, chocolatey cup.
Does India grow Geisha?
A few estates have trialled varieties from abroad in small quantities, but they are rare. Most Indian coffee comes from local selections.
Why don't all labels name the variety?
Many estates grow several varieties side by side and pick them together, so a lot may be a mix.
Read next
Arabica vs robusta: what's the difference in India?
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Chikmagalur coffee: India's arabica heartland
The district where Indian coffee began is still its most famous arabica origin. Terrain, estates and cup.
From cherry to cup: a year on an Indian estate
Blossom showers, picking, pulping, drying, curing and roasting. How Indian coffee gets from the plant to your bag.