INDIA ashok

FLAVOR PROFILE

WINE, JUICY, SWEET - CHERRY, MANGO, WHITE RUM, CHOCOLATE

ORIGIN

BABABUDANGIRI, WESTERN GHATS , INDIA

FARM

RATNAGIRI ESTATE

FARMER

ASHOK FLOOR

PROCESSING

ANAEROBIC NATURAL

VARIETY

SL9

BUTTER

1300-1450

PURCHASE

COVOYA

FOB

TRANSPARENT REPORT

8/10

We've tried coffees from Ashok earlier this year, blind cupping performed once again that we can find great unusual profiles in countries such as India where you wouldn't expect coffees like this.

We met Ashok in Athens World of Coffee event while brewing coffee at Covoya stand where we tried the whole upcoming line-up of his exceptional coffees, talked a little about the processing methods, heard some crazy stories about the commitment of the people when it comes that coffee.

We hate calling something Christmas special, its special on its own - so let's take some time in peace through Xmas vacation to think about all of the work Ratnagiri and its people had to go through for us to have this beautiful coffee on our table.

The Hindi word 'Ratnagiri' translates literally to 'Pearl Mountain', a reference to the dense silver oak canopy which crowns this farm. Ratnagiri was established in 1920 and is owned and operated by Ashok Patre, having been passed down from Grandfather to father to son. This naturally processed selection includes an extended anaerobic fermentation period and is dried on raised beds for 20-21 days under 50% shade.

Ashok Patre is a progressive. Well-travelled and bursting with initiative, he has drawn inspiration from elsewhere to step beyond the boundaries of traditional Indian coffee cultivation and processing. Brix levels are tested before harvesting. Processing includes natural, honey and fermentation experiments alongside the traditional washed.

For all intents and purposes Ratnagiri Estate is an organic/biodynamic farm and also maintains official Rainforest Alliance Certification. Quarterly soil tests and organic corrections to soil are applied. Ionic seawater and seaweed extract are applied to improve plant immunity and sugar levels of the fruit.

The estate is a lush shaded environment with 3 stories of shade. It is home to over 48 recorded bird populations, monkeys, leopards, wild boar, tigers, mongoose and - on occasion - elephants. The rich biodiversity demands that Ashok and his family have an approach to farming that places ecology and harmony with the environment at the forefront. This is a world class farm, truly one of the leading in India