Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/491365
40 STiR tea & coffee industry international India Coffee Production (metric tons) Source: Coffee Board of India. Specialty coffee cafes have opened at a rate of 250 per year for the past five years. "Coffee has evolved as a lifestyle product in India, especially among the youth and professionals, with coffee shops emerging as popular spots for socializing in met- ros," said Dr. Gupta. "Indian coffees are gaining international recognition which has boosted trade. Demand for an excellent coffee experience by discerning customers has created an urgent need to focus on skill development and entrepreneurship in the cof- fee value chain," she said. That is why the Board established the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Indian Institute of Plantation Management. The Coffee Board today is tasked with promoting the industry, conducts agricul- tural research, and enforces quality standards, she explained. The Coffee Board also grades coffees and for the past six years has conducted the nation's most prestigious cupping competition, the "Fine Cup Award." In January the Coffee Board hosted the National Barista Championship in Banga- Kerala Coffee Regions Travancore: Robusta grown at 400-1,600 m elevation with rainfall of 2,000-4,000 mm Wayanad: Robusta grown at 600-900 m elevation with rainfall of 1,100-1,200 mm lore with finals at the India International Coffee Festival. India's commerce secretary Shri S.R. Rao told IICF participants he was "abso- lutely delighted" that The Coffee Board revived the competition. "I think that is something that we ought to be extremely proud of, in as much as skill development is a future for us," he said. Next generation planters Neither Rohan Kuriyan, 31, or Shravan D.S., 31, or Chandini Maneesh, 30, are content simply producing great quanti- ties of coffee. Their goal is great coffee. In conversations with these men and women it quickly became apparent that their priority is to produce sustainably grown coffee cultivated under the for- est canopy for a domestic market eager to experience something beyond instant. They embrace the diversity of India's coffee lands and have learned to grow and export Arabica and robusta with world-class cupping scores to some of the most discerning roasters in the world. KARNATAKA KERALA TAMIL NADU ANDHRAPRADESH Araku Valley Bababudangiris Chikmagalur Manjarabad Coorg Biligiris Sheveroys Wayanad Nilgiris Anamalais Pulneys ARUNACHAL PRADESH ASSAM TRIPURA Year Arabica Robusta Total 2007-08 92,500 169,500 262,000 2008-09 79,500 182,800 262,300 2009-10 94,600 195,000 289,600 2010-11 94,140 207,860 302,000 2011-12 101,500 212,5000 314,000 2012-13 98,600 219,6000 318,200 2013-14 102,000 209,500 311,500 Araku valley (Andhra Pradesh): KARNATAKA KERALA TAMIL NADU KARNATAKA KERALA TAMIL NADU Bababudangiris Biligiris Chikmagalur Coorg Manjarabad Wayanad Travancore India's Coffee Growing Regions