India Hulikere

Origin: India

Region: Karnataka State

District: Chikmagalur

Producer: Hulikere Shreedev

Farm name: Hulikere Estate

Elevation: 1100 - 1370 meters

Process: Washed

Varieties: Selection 795, Selection 9, Selection 5B, Chandragiri, Robusta CxR

Tasting notes: Pear, pecan, toffee

Hulikere Estate lies against the scenic backdrop of the Baba Budangiri range in Karnataka, India. The 100-hectare estate ranges in elevation from 1,100 to 1,370 meters above sea level, benefitting from the ideal terroir for cultivating premium Indian coffee. Helmed by Hulikere Shreedev, the estate is a member of KaadKaapi, a group of forested farms in the local district of Chikmagalur which are dedicated to the shared goal of preserving the ecology of the area’s old-growth forest reserve and the variety of large wildlife that inhabit it, including tigers, elephants, and Indian bison.

Throughout the entire three-month harvest season, Hulikere employs up 150 people each day, including a dedicated year-round staff of one hundred, to meticulously pick coffee cherries at their peak ripeness. A stringent processing protocol follows, involving float removal of low-density fruits, mechanical de-pulping, natural fermentation, and meticulous drying on clay brick-lined yards.

Amidst the verdant landscape, Hulikere Estate faces its share of challenges, from unpredictable weather patterns to a scarcity of skilled labor. Yet, amidst these trials, the estate remains steadfast in its mission to not only produce exceptional coffee but also to foster a harmonious coexistence with the surrounding ecosystem. We think the coffee that results from all of this hard work tastes like pear, pecan, and toffee.

Transparency

This is our third year sourcing coffee from India through Osito Coffee. We scored this coffee 86.5 points and bought 3 60kg bags for $6.55 FOT.

Photo credit: Osito Coffee