Description

The Remarkable Story of Monsoon Processing

Indian Monsooned Malabar AA represents one of the world's most fascinating and deliberate transformations in coffee processing. This extraordinary coffee undergoes a unique journey that began centuries ago as a maritime accident and continues today as a carefully preserved tradition.

During the monsoon months of June through August, these beans journey to the coastal city of Mangalore where they undergo a remarkable metamorphosis. Spread in carefully maintained layers on the floors of open-sided warehouses, the coffee absorbs the moisture-laden monsoon winds blowing in from the Arabian Sea. Over 12-16 weeks, the beans dramatically expand, change color from green to pale gold, and develop their signature character. After September, when the rains begin to subside, each batch is meticulously hand-sorted to ensure consistent "monsooning," leaving the beans swollen, ghostly white, and ready to deliver their distinctive cup profile.

The "AA" designation signifies the highest grade, featuring uniform, large beans with exceptional quality characteristics that coffee connoisseurs prize worldwide.

Heritage and Cultivation

These exceptional beans originate from the mountainous southern regions of Mysore and Coorg at elevations between 1,220 and 1,524 meters. Grown primarily from Kent and Cauwery varietals, these coffees come from farms that have often been cultivating coffee for 80-100 years, with many operations tended by third-generation growers who maintain India's rich coffee tradition.

India ranks as the world's sixth-largest coffee producer, with production forecast at 6 million 60-kilogram bags for MY 2024/25. While Robusta dominates Indian coffee production (accounting for over 70% of output), these specialty Arabica beans represent the pinnacle of India's coffee craftsmanship. The care taken in their production exemplifies why Indian coffees, particularly these monsooned varieties, have maintained their place in the global specialty market despite production challenges including labor shortages and variable rainfall patterns.

Distinctive Flavor Profile

Indian Monsooned Malabar AA presents a truly unique tasting experience characterized by:

Remarkably Low Acidity: Perhaps its most distinctive feature, this coffee's extremely low acidity makes it ideal for coffee drinkers with sensitive stomachs and creates an exceptionally smooth cup

Full, Creamy Body: The expanded cellular structure of the beans creates a rich, heavy mouthfeel that coats the palate

Complex Earthiness: Dominant notes of bakers chocolate and forest floor provide a grounding base

Subtle Spice Characteristics: Gentle hints of cardamom and nutmeg reflect India's spice heritage

Muted Sweetness: Understated molasses sweetness provides subtle balance

Lingering Finish: The unique processing creates a long, pleasant aftertaste

This coffee performs exceptionally well in espresso applications, where its low acidity and full body create rich, crema-laden shots. It's particularly prized as a component in traditional Italian espresso blends, where it adds body and reduces acidity. When brewed as filter coffee, it delivers a smooth, full-bodied cup that maintains its distinctive character even as it cools.

Historical Significance

The story of Monsooned Malabar coffee dates back to the era of the British Raj, when wooden sailing ships would transport raw coffee beans from India to Europe around the Cape of Good Hope. During the six-month journey, the humidity and ocean winds transformed the coffee beans from their fresh green color to a pale yellow hue. European consumers developed a preference for this aged, mellow coffee.

When faster steam ships later shortened the journey, the coffee arrived with its original characteristics intact—but customers missed the transformed coffee they had come to love. Indian coffee producers ingeniously developed the monsooning process to replicate these conditions deliberately, preserving this unique coffee style for generations to come.

Today, this carefully maintained tradition continues, with exports reaching over 6.3 million 60-kilogram bags annually. The controlled monsooning process creates a coffee that connects modern drinkers with centuries of coffee history while delivering a truly distinctive sensory experience.

Experience this remarkable coffee that represents not just a unique flavor profile, but a living piece of coffee history—order Indian Monsooned Malabar AA today and discover why this extraordinary coffee continues to captivate specialty coffee enthusiasts worldwide.