Coffee from Northeast India
4 min read
Coffee in Northeast India is grown in small quantities across hill states such as Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam. It is a young region, mostly smallholder-grown, and still finding a consistent style. Good lots can be clean and sweet, and buying them supports a developing coffee economy.
The Northeast is far from India's traditional coffee belt, with a different climate and landscape. Coffee has been encouraged here as a crop that fits hill farming and forest cover, and small farmers and collectives now grow both arabica and robusta.
Because the region is so varied and so new to specialty, there is no single Northeast cup. You may find anything from soft, nutty coffees to bright, fruit-led lots. Quality is improving as processing and drying get more attention.
- Small volumes: good lots sell out quickly.
- Mostly smallholder and community grown.
- Worth tasting for curiosity and for supporting a new origin.
Tip: Ask the roaster which state and which village a Northeast coffee came from. The region is too big and varied for 'Northeast' to tell you much on its own.
From the Northeast
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Naga Mist - Highland Washed I Nagaland Single Origin
Meghalaya Single Origin Robusta Coffee - 250g
The Northeast on the origins map →
Questions
Which Northeast states grow coffee?
Several, including Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam, all in small amounts.
Is Northeast coffee arabica or robusta?
Both are grown. Arabica tends to be on higher ground.
Is it consistent?
Not yet. It is a developing region, so taste each lot on its own merits.
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