Koraput Coffee
Context:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently termed "Koraput coffee" a pride of Odisha during his 'Mann Ki Baat' radio address.
The coffee's roots trace back to the 1930s when the Maharaja of Jeypore first experimented with planting it in the region
At the 5th World Coffee Conference, "Kindiriguda Naturals" from Koraput, cultivated by Kruti Coffee, was named India's best “natural coffee”
Geographical Characteristics of Koraput Coffee:
Grown in Koraput district, southern Odisha, nestled in the Eastern Ghats.
Altitude: 3,000–4,500 feet above sea level – ideal for Arabica coffee cultivation.
The region features rolling hills, valleys, rivers, waterfalls, and deciduous forests that create a unique microclimate.
Reddish-brown soil, rich in nutrients and organic matter, supports deep-rooted coffee plants.
GI Tag:
Koraput coffee currently falls under the “Araku Valley Arabica” GI tag (2019) shared by Andhra Pradesh and Odisha.
Despite producing award-winning Arabica coffee (recognized by the Coffee Board of India with Flavours of India – Fine Cup Awards in 2004 and 2008), Koraput coffee lacks formal GI protection.
Other Coffee Regions:
The Prime Minister also highlighted other prominent Indian coffee regions.
These include
Chikmagalur, Coorg, and Hassan in Karnataka
Pulney, Shevaroy, Nilgiri, and Annamalai in Tamil Nadu
Wayanad, Travancore, and Malabar in Kerala.