Located in the southwest corner of India, near Bababudangiri where coffee production originated in India, is Ratnagiri Estate. Owned and operated by the Patre family for almost a century, Ashok Patre is the third generation of the family to operate Ratnagiri with his wife Divya focusing on coffee and peppercorn production keeping keen eyes on quality. Ratnagiri, which means Pearl Mountains, given for the silver oaks that give a silver hue to the hillsides is also home to many fauna and flora; an extremely biodiverse region. Although not organic certified, Patre commits to building an ecologically thoughtful operation to mitigate risk of harm to the local environment by avoiding the use of herbicides, pesticides and only using organic soil inputs to fertilize the plants.
The profile of Indian coffee unfortunately for a long time has not been at the forefront in the specialty coffee lens and so with Ratnagiri Estate’s work we are excited to be a part of the push and show the quality of variety and terroir that India has to offer.
This coffee is a washed processed lot from Ratnagiri that yields a clean cup and is an excellent representation of Indian coffee. In the cup, we’re reminded of hot chocolate; specifically, baking chocolate liquified and steamed with milk to create a creamy and chocolate-forward profile. These flavors are complemented by a hazelnut confection quality making for a chuggable and sweet cup. What creates a harmonious balance is the acidity which is citrus-like but low and nuanced as it lingers in the aftertaste creating a crisp and refreshing linger in the finish. Perfect for the fall; these easy drinking and comforting qualities encompass all we’re looking for this season.
