Buying coffee from India: shade-grown arabica, robusta and Monsooned Malabar
India grows both arabica and robusta under shade trees in its southern hills, often next to pepper and cardamom. It is also a big exporter of instant coffee and the home of Monsooned Malabar. This guide covers the numbers, regions, Indian coffee names and buying tips.
Updated November 1, 2026 · 2 sources
India coffee in numbers
The USDA forecast India's 2025/26 production at about 6 million 60 kg bags, down from 6.2 million, and total exports at about 6 million bags: about 3.56 million green and 2.42 million instant. Italy, Germany, the UAE and Russia are the top buyers. About 475,000 hectares are planted, and Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu hold 77% of the area. The Coffee Board of India promotes and supports the sector.
Regions
- Karnataka: Chikmagalur, Coorg (Kodagu) and Hassan, the heart of Indian arabica and robusta.
- Kerala: Wayanad, mainly robusta.
- Tamil Nadu: the Nilgiris, Pulneys and Shevaroys hills, mainly arabica.
- Smaller areas in Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and the north-east. See the India lots page.
Indian coffee names
| Name | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Plantation (arabica) | Washed arabica |
| Arabica cherry | Natural (dry-processed) arabica |
| Robusta parchment | Washed robusta, one of the best-known washed robustas in the world |
| Robusta cherry | Natural robusta |
| Monsooned Malabar | Natural coffee exposed to monsoon winds in warehouses on the west coast, which swells the beans and gives a low-acid, heavy, woody cup |
Indian grades such as AA, A, AB and PB combine these names with bean size. Monsooned Malabar is traditionally packed in 50 kg bags; most other Indian coffee uses 60 kg bags. See processing methods and robusta explained.
Buying tips
- Ask for the type (plantation, cherry, parchment), grade, crop year and moisture, and approve a pre-shipment sample.
- Washed robusta from India sells at a premium: cup it against naturals to see if it suits your blend.
- Plan shipping from Indian ports and read shipping green coffee for container loads.
Frequently asked questions
What is Monsooned Malabar?
Indian natural coffee exposed to humid monsoon winds in coastal warehouses for several weeks, which swells the beans and gives a mellow, low-acid, heavy cup.
What does robusta parchment mean?
India's name for washed robusta. Plantation means washed arabica and cherry means natural coffee.
How much coffee does India export?
About 6 million 60 kg bags a year in the USDA's 2025/26 forecast, roughly 60% green and 40% instant coffee.
Sources
- Daily Coffee News: India coffee report, weather to reduce output amid increased demand (on the USDA FAS Coffee Annual, May 2025) ↗
- Royal Coffee: Coffee weights and container loads by origin ↗
Checked on November 1, 2026. Laws, rules and prices change: always check the official source before you trade. This guide is general information, not legal advice.