Wayanad: India's robusta heartland
4 min read
Wayanad is a hilly plateau in northern Kerala and one of India's biggest robusta-growing areas. Coffee grows there on smallholdings and estates alongside pepper, areca and spices. Good Wayanad robusta is bold, chocolatey and smooth, and Wayanaad Robusta received a GI tag in 2019.
Wayanad sits on the Western Ghats plateau where Kerala meets Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Its warm, wet climate and moderate elevation suit robusta perfectly. Much of the coffee comes from small family farms, where coffee shares the land with pepper vines and other crops.
In the cup, Wayanad robusta is heavy, low in acidity and full of cocoa, roasted nuts and a little spice. Washed and carefully sorted lots are surprisingly clean. It is the backbone of many filter coffee and espresso blends.
- Brilliant for filter kaapi, moka pot and milk-based espresso.
- Makes a thick, chocolatey cold brew.
- Pairs well with an arabica in a home blend.
Tip: If you think you don't like robusta, try a washed Wayanad robusta as a moka pot coffee with milk. It may change your mind.
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Questions
Does Wayanad grow arabica?
A little, but it is overwhelmingly a robusta region.
Is Wayanad robusta good for espresso?
Yes. It adds body, crema and chocolate, alone or in a blend.
Why is it spelled Wayanaad in the GI?
The GI name uses the spelling 'Wayanaad Robusta'. Both spellings refer to the same place.
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