Koraput coffee: Odisha's young origin
4 min read
Koraput is a hilly district in southern Odisha, next door to Andhra Pradesh's Araku Valley. Coffee here is grown mostly by tribal smallholders and is a relatively recent arrival on specialty shelves. The cups tend to be sweet and mild, with gentle fruit, much like its better-known neighbour.
Koraput shares the Eastern Ghats with Araku. The terrain is rolling hills and plateaus with forest cover, and coffee grows in small plots under shade trees. Government and community programmes have helped tribal farmers plant coffee and improve processing over the past few decades.
Because the region is young in specialty terms, quality varies and volumes are small. The best lots are clean and sweet, with caramel, mild citrus and a soft body. It is a good origin to follow as processing skills grow.
Tip: Try a Koraput and an Araku side by side. They are close cousins, and spotting the small differences is a fun exercise.
From Koraput
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Durgamadhaba Coffee Estate – Anaerobic Fermented Natural
Trousseau Adwaita - Roasted on 23/09
Odisha Naturals (Light Roast)
Questions
Is Koraput coffee arabica?
Mostly, yes. The region grows arabica at moderate elevations in the Eastern Ghats.
Why haven't I heard of Koraput before?
It is a newer region with small volumes, and only recently have roasters started naming it on labels.
How should I brew Koraput coffee?
A medium roast suits pour-over, AeroPress or French press. Its soft sweetness is easy to enjoy black.
Read next
Araku Valley coffee: what makes it special?
Arabica from tribal smallholders in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, and why it tastes so soft and sweet.
Where is coffee grown in India?
A map in words: the southern hills that grow most of India's coffee, plus the newer regions in the east and northeast.
What does direct trade mean in Indian coffee?
When a roaster buys straight from the estate. What it changes for growers, roasters and your cup, and what to ask.