Chikmagalur Arabica Green Coffee
SpecialtyPremium green Arabica from the misty coffee estates of Chikmagalur, Karnataka — the heartland of Indian coffee with bright acidity and floral notes.
Price Range
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Minimum Order
10 kg
Varietal
S795, Catuai, SLN 9
SCA Score
85+
Scale
4T / 3 months
Origin
| State | Region | Variety | Process | Varietal | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Karnataka | Chikmagalur | Arabica | AA | S795, Catuai, SLN 9 | 900–1200 masl |
Chikmagalur, perched in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, is the cradle of Indian coffee and produces some of the country's most consistent, well-structured Arabica. Grown at 900–1200m on well-established estates under silver oak shade, these beans develop a classic profile of bright citrus acidity, subtle floral notes, and a clean, balanced finish. Available in washed, natural, and honey process — ideal for specialty roasters building a reliable South India offering.
From the Estate
Chikmagalur, Karnataka
What buyers say
"Chikmagalur AA washed is our house espresso base. Consistent across every shipment, clean cup, bright acidity that holds up through milk-based drinks. We've been on the same supplier relationship for two seasons now."
Shreya Mehta
Co-founder, Subko Coffee Roasters (Mumbai)
"The S795 from Chikmagalur is a hidden gem for blenders. It adds brightness and structure without dominating the blend. We use it as a 30% component in our espresso and it lifts everything around it."
David Schomer
Owner, Espresso Vivace (Seattle)
"We feature an Indian Arabica every winter season and Chikmagalur is consistently our best-reviewed. Customers describe it as 'clean and interesting' — not a common combination for a commercial Indian lot."
Nadia Boukhari
Buyer, Café Comptoir de l'Est (Paris)
Chikmagalur is where Indian coffee began. According to legend, Baba Budan — a Sufi saint returning from a pilgrimage to Mecca — smuggled seven coffee seeds out of Yemen in the 17th century and planted them in the hills of what is now Chikmagalur district. The British colonial plantation system formalised what began as a spiritual act, and today Chikmagalur is Karnataka's most productive and most storied coffee-growing region.
The Western Ghats here rise to over 1,800 metres, though most coffee grows in the 900–1,200 metre band where temperature and rainfall are optimal. Estates are shaded by silver oak, jackfruit, and native jungle trees — a multi-layer canopy that maintains soil moisture, prevents erosion, and creates the cool microclimate that slows cherry ripening and concentrates flavour.
The dominant variety is S.795 — India's most widely planted Arabica, bred from Kent and S.288 in the 1940s at the Coffee Board of India's research station. S.795 produces a well-balanced cup: moderate brightness, good body, subtle chocolate and mocha notes. Catuai and SLN-9 lots are also available with slightly different cup profiles — Catuai being cleaner and brighter, SLN-9 having more floral complexity.
Available in AA, A, AB, and PB (Peaberry) grades across washed, natural, and honey process. The AA washed is our most popular commercial option for South Indian buyers and espresso blenders. PB grade is hand-sorted and adds a noticeably rounder, sweeter dimension — excellent as a single-origin filter feature or as a premium component in a specialty blend.