We’re a new coffee company in South Florida with family farming roots in India that stretch back four generations. However, the story of our coffee goes back much further in time.

In the 1600s, coffee farming was monopolized by the Middle East and parts of Africa. Thanks to coffee bean packing  Baba Budan and his "old Chik" beans, our ancestors became one of the early cultivators of coffee globally.

Our estates Bälékola and Balupet are tucked in the lush Western Ghats (mountain chains) of Chikmagalur. My father continues to tend to the plants as he has done over the last 40 years to ensure that we produce the highest quality beans. Our coffee estates are a magical place where time seems to stand still. Our coffee home in the mountains is a temperate place where the best climate control is an open window.

By early dawn you’re gently awoken by the music of the Malabar Whistling Thrush. If you’re an early riser and wander outside you may land your gaze on a civet cat. As you explore the estate later in the afternoon you may catch sight of monkeys, elephants and spotted deer. Keep a watchful eye as you could also encounter tigers, leopards or cobras (Yes, it can also be a bit like Jurassic Park). As you continue exploring, you’ll see jackfruit, mango and papaya trees, pepper vines, cardamom and a host of other wild berries. You find yourself in an India that is truly stunning, underexplored and quietly removed from the hustle and bustle of the major cities.

We have embraced our family traditions keeping a pulse on the local community and the beautiful surrounding nature. We use solar energy to power the rustic amenities at the house. So, during the monsoon don’t expect to have electricity too long. We work with our community to provide housing, food and potable water. We empower the women and support their children by providing funds for education.

The coffee that you’re experiencing today was cared for, hand-picked, and sun-dried by our local community.  While some farms around the world use industrial dryers for machined picked coffee beans, we have opted to carefully hand collect the beans and naturally dry them in the Indian winter sun. We firmly believe the more natural the better.

So next time your take that first sip of coffee, remember our story. Farm visits and Wellness retreats coming soon!