India Chikmagalur Ratnagiri Washed

A medium roasted coffee from smallholder farmers in India with tasting notes of praline, toast and brown sugar

TRACEABILITY

Country: India Region: Bababudangiri Chikmagalur Importer: Covoya Coffee Varietal: Catuai Caturra Producer: Ashok Patre Mill / Washing Station: Ratnagiri Estate Processing: Washed Altitude: 1200 - 1500 meters

PRODUCER'S STORY

Ratnagiri Estate is a 45 hectare (112 acres) farm established in 1920, and is currently owned and operated by Ashok Patre, having been passed down within his family for three generations.

Driftaway founders Anu and Suyog visited Mr. Patre in February of 2024, touring his farm and learning about the coffees and his process. Along with washed process coffees like this one, Mr. Patre produces natural and honey processed coffees. Drawing inspiration from other coffee origin countries, he steps beyond the boundaries of traditional Indian coffee cultivation and processing, conducting fermentation experiments, such as using anerobic methods he learned in Colombia.

Ratnagiri maintains Rainforest Alliance certification, and the estate itself is a lush and shaded environment with 3 stories of shade. Walking through the farm is like walking through a forest rather than over-cultivated fields. It is home to over 48 recorded bird populations, monkeys, leopards, wild boar, tigers, mongoose and - on occasion - elephants.

Mr. Patre uses organic fertilizer and compost to fertilize trees. The farm is fed by 2 freshwater streams, and he has implemented a strict protocol for processing wastewater before releasing it back into the environment. At intake, coffee fruit (cherry) is pulped on a mechanical Ecopulper that has reduced water use by 65%. The rich biodiversity demands that Mr. Patre and his family have an approach to farming which places ecology and harmony with the environment at the forefront.