Coffee holds a special place in our hearts, but have you ever wondered how it made its way to India? Let's embark on a journey together to uncover the fascinating history of coffee in India.

In the 17th Century, a Sufi Saint named Baba Budan from Karnataka, India, played a pivotal role in introducing coffee to the country. Baba Budan encountered a dark, sweet beverage called Quahwa during his travels. Intrigued, he decided to bring back coffee to his homeland. Baba Budan had his first taste of coffee, finding it delightful and invigorating.

Interestingly, coffee arrived in India even before the popularity of tea. Today, the southern states of India, including Karnataka, dominate coffee production and are renowned for cultivating some of the world's finest shade-grown coffee.

In the fiscal year 2022, India ranked as the sixth-largest coffee producer globally, with a total yield of 348 metric tonnes. Karnataka alone contributed approximately 71% of the country's coffee production. India boasts over 250,000 coffee growers, with more than 95% being small-scale farmers. While around 75% of Indian coffee is exported, the remaining portion is consumed domestically.

India cultivates two major species of coffee: Arabica and Robusta, both grown under dense natural shade. However, coffee cultivation has gradually expanded beyond hilly regions to places like Andhra Pradesh and Assam.

Indian coffees are beloved worldwide for their mild flavours and invigorating strength. Uniquely, all coffee plants in India are grown beneath a precisely defined two-tier shade canopy of evergreen leguminous trees. The regions where coffee is cultivated in India are among the top 25 biodiversity hotspots, making them truly exceptional globally.

While Karnataka leads in coffee production, the lion's share of its coffee comes from the smallest rural district in the state—Kodagu, also known as Coorg. Coffee cultivation is the primary livelihood source for the people of Kodagu, and their passion for growing coffee is evident. It's worth noting that the Founder & CEO of Planet Coffee hails from this "land of coffee," with their family being involved in coffee cultivation for three generations.

the introduction of coffee to India by Baba Budan has left an indelible mark on the country's agricultural landscape. Today, India's coffee industry continues to thrive, producing high-quality beans that are cherished worldwide. The dedication of the coffee growers, the unique shade-grown practices, and the rich biodiversity of the coffee regions make Indian coffee truly exceptional. So, the next time you savour a cup of coffee from Planet Coffee, remember the fascinating history behind this beloved beverage in India.