Coffee stands among the few drinks in the world that hold as much cultural and historical significance. Its captivating scent and flavour come in a tale of travel, Transformation, and evolution. This humble bean’s journey stretches across time and geography. Starting from the Ethiopian highlands, it Shifted to Yemeni docks, passed through the Ottoman Empire, found its way into Europe’s intellectual hubs, and rooted itself in the lush plantations of coorg0, India.
India now recognized as the sixth-largest coffee grower worldwide, traces its coffee roots back to a fascinating history linked to the legendary figure Baba Budan and the farming systems introduced during the British Raj. However, before coffee found its place in the scenic landscapes of South India and it passed through lands shaped by empires, religions, and revolutions.
This post delves into that fantastic journey on how coffee became a key part of India’s culture and economy.
The discovery of coffee
Stories tell of a young Ethiopian shepherd, Kaldi who, in the 9th century, noticed his goats acting energetic after eating red berries from a wild plant. Out of curiosity Kaldi, decided to taste the berries himself and felt a rush of energy. This small discovery became the starting point for what we know today as the worldwide coffee culture.
Coffee travelled from Ethiopia by crossing the Red Sea into Yemen. By the 15th century Yemeni traders were growing coffee around the Yemenite port of Mocha, which lent its name to the drink. Many consider Yemen the first place to take wild Ethiopian coffee plants and turn them into a managed crop.
Coffee and the Ottoman Empire
In the 16th century, coffee took root in the Ottoman Empire, which spanned the Middle East, parts of North Africa, and Eastern Europe. Cities like Cairo, Mecca, and Constantinople (Istanbul) saw the rise of coffeehouses called qahveh khaneh.
These places offered more than just coffee. People came there to talk, trade, and take part in cultural life. Scholars, poets, merchants, and politicians met in these coffeehouses to share ideas. They served as intellectual hubs in the Islamic world and played a role in shaping thought and decisions.
The Ottomans controlled their coffee production. They often parched or boiled coffee beans they exported to make sure they could not be grown elsewhere.
Venetian traders were the first to bring coffee to Europe in the early 1600s using their busy trade routes. At first, some religious leaders deemed it a “Muslim drink” and viewed it with doubt. But people soon embraced it because of its energizing effects.
By the year 1645, Venice set up the first coffeehouse in Europe. This idea travelled across England, France, and Austria. Back in the 1600s, London coffeehouses earned the nickname “penny universities” since a single penny could buy a cup of coffee and an opportunity to join deep conversations. Thinkers like Newton and Voltaire, along with scientists and writers, found their minds sparked in these lively spaces.
Coffee grew so important that some historians believe it played a role in powering the “Age of Enlightenment” by replacing alcohol as the drink socializing.
Linguistic Impact of Coffee
The English term “coffee” traces back to the Italian caffè, which was borrowed from the Turkish word kahve. The Turks took the word from the Arabic qahwa or tied it to Ethiopia’s Kaffa region often called coffee’s origin.
The chain of words show how coffee went around the world adapting to new languages and cultures on its way.
Baba Budan Brings Coffee to India
India’s coffee history started with a simple but bold act. Back in the early 1600s, a Sufi saint from Karnataka named Baba Budan set off on a pilgrimage to Mecca. On his return journey, he travelled through Yemen, where coffee was already popular.
Fascinated by the drink, Baba Budan wanted to introduce coffee to India. However, Arabs strict control and monopoly over green coffee beans and didn’t allow them to be taken out. Ignoring the ban, Baba Budan snuck seven green coffee beans and smuggled them back to India.
Once back home in Chikmagalur in Karnataka he planted the beans in his backyard. Today, this area is called the Baba Budan Giri Hills. From planting just seven beans, a whole tradition began. The plants spread into nearby villages, and later covered the slopes of the Western Ghats.
The Moplah Merchants and Early Trade
When Baba Budan first brought coffee to India, groups like the Moplah traders in Kerala and the Bhatkal merchants of Karnataka traded and spread coffee to surrounding areas. For over a hundred years, coffee stayed a local crop grown on a small scale often in South Indian gardens.
The British Raj and Coffee Plantations
Coffee became a serious commercial venture once European colonial powers stepped. Around the middle of the 19th century, the British East India Company saw coffee’s promise as a valuable export product. The weather in southern India in Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu was ideal for Coffee Farming:
- In Coorg (Kodagu), an Englishman named John Fowler established the first coffee estate in 1854.
- About ten years later, Lieutenant Colonel William Roland Wright, the erstwhile founder of Old Kent worked to expand cultivation and establish the Coorg Planters Association (1879).
The British brought organized plantation techniques. They used scientific spacing, managed shade, pruned the plants, and kept detailed records. These methods remain in use even today.
Under British rule, coffee turned into a profitable crop. It was shipped in larger amounts to Europe. Coffee plantations thrived in areas like Coorg, Chikmagalur, Wayanad, and the Nilgiris.
How Arabica, Robusta, and Indian Coffee Changed Over Time
Indian farmers started growing Arabica first because it offered a smooth flavour and was more aromatic. But in the late 1960’s, a fungus known as coffee leaf rust wiped out many Arabica plants.
To deal with this problem, growers switched to planting Robusta, a hardier plant that could handle pests, diseases and weather better. Robusta grew well in India’s lower regions producing abundantly, a cup profile that bolder and more bitter in taste.
India grows both Arabica and Robusta coffee often intercropping with planting with crops such as pepper, cardamom, vanilla, and some fruits. These mixed farms keep the soil healthy and add impart unique & complex Flavors to the coffee grown here.
Coffee and Indian Culture
While India ships out a large portion of its coffee, about 80% ends up in Europe, the drink has found its own place in local traditions. This is true in South India, where the well-loved “filter coffee” is now a staple part of daily life.
South Indian filter coffee which is the second-best coffee in the world, is made using ground coffee beans and chicory, traditionally served in a steel tumbler with a davara. Its rich smell and creamy froth make it a favourite in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
Big coffee brands like Starbucks and Café Coffee Day have brought café culture to cities in India. But even now, filter kacapi holds its place as a symbol of tradition, comfort, and home.
India in the World Coffee Scene
India is one of the top 10 coffee producers worldwide right up there with Brazil, Colombia, Ethiopia, and Indonesia. The country grows about 5% of all coffee in the world.
- Karnataka produces close to 70% of the total output.
- Kerala provides around 20%.
- Tamil Nadu makes between 6 and 8%.
Indian coffee stands out because it grows under shade often alongside spices. This unique setup gives it special Flavors. European and Japanese markets even recognize Indian coffee as a specialty product.
Exploring Coffee Tourism in India
The story of coffee goes beyond just the cup; it’s rooted in its surroundings. Large coffee estates in Coorg, and Wayanad now welcome travellers with coffee tourism experiences. At Old Kent Estates & Spa, Coorg, let visitors enjoy a mix of coffee’s deep history and its modern-day luxury in India. Experience a day in a coffee planter
The Future of Coffee in India
As people around the world shift to sustainable and specialty coffees, India is ready to take on a bigger role. Single-origin beans organic farming, and small-batch roasting have been polualrise quite recently. Some farmers are branching out into eco-tourism to keep coffee both profitable and eco-friendly.
The real test is blending old traditions with new ideas. farmers need to hold on to age-old methods while meeting the changing demands of global buyers.
Conclusion – From Seven Beans to a Nation’s Brew
Coffee’s story, from Kaldi watching his goat’s reaction in Ethiopia to Baba Budan sneaking in seven coffee beans, from British-run plantations in Coorg to the comforting tumbler of South Indian filter coffee, shows a journey of grit, transformation, and cultural assimilation.
When you drink a cup of Indian coffee today, you’re not only enjoying a beverage, you are experiencing history, culture, and the essence of its lands. This is a drink that crossed borders, survived empires, and made the misty hills of India its home.
In India, coffee has grown beyond being a drink. It recounts a tale of journeys, provides work to countless farmers, represents warmth and hospitality, and brings together the old with the new.
