India Ratnagiri Estate

PROCESS: WashedROAST: MediumVARIETY: Cauvery, Catuai, SL-9ELEVATION: 1,355 metersBODY: Smooth & lightNOTES: Mellow fresh citrus fruit, peanut, and green tea flavors; tart acidity and mild sweetness. The Patre family founded Ratnagiri Estate in 1927, and Ashok Patre assumed ownership in 1989. Since then, Ashok has revolutionized coffee production on his farm and in India. Year by year, Ashok reevaluated all aspects of production. He began with cherries by implementing more selective picking over five to six rounds, followed by intensive sorting before processing. “We feel that is most important in Specialty to start with.” He then invested in infrastructure by constructing a mill, drying houses, and a washing station outfitted with fermenters. Today, every aspect of production and process is controlled at Ratnagiri Estate, and 60% of the 117-hectare farm’s volume is Specialty grade. Coffee is said to have first been brought from Africa to India in the 17th century. According to leg