Brewing Borders: Karnataka, India’s First Cup

                                   Where Indian coffee took root.

                      Welcome to Chapter 7 of Coffee Duo

If Indian coffee has a birthplace, it’s here—in the green, misty hills of Karnataka. From legendary stories to centuries-old estates, this state laid the first strong foundation for coffee in India. Before Wayanad, before Araku, before anywhere else—Karnataka was the beginning.

                       

                           The Sacred Start in Chikmagalur

It all began in the 1600s, when Baba Budan, a Sufi saint, returned from Yemen with seven raw coffee beans hidden in his robe. He planted them in the Baba Budangiri hills of Chikmagalur, marking the unofficial start of Indian coffee cultivation.

The hills welcomed the crop—cool altitude, regular rainfall, and fertile soil created the perfect setting. Slowly, more farmers and planters took interest. What began as a small experiment soon grew into a full-fledged movement.

 

                         

                   
                          From One District to a Coffee Empire

After Chikmagalur, the nearby regions of Coorg (Kodagu) and Hassan followed. During the British period, large plantations came up across Karnataka. Estates expanded, processing units were built, and roads were carved through the hills just for transporting beans.

Karnataka became the heart of India’s coffee economy, producing more than two-thirds of the country’s beans—a title it still proudly holds.

Even today, the names Chikmagalur, Sakleshpur, and Madikeri echo in every serious coffee conversation.

                                 Looking Beyond Borders

But even the strongest roots send out branches.

From Karnataka, coffee began to travel—into Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Andhra Pradesh, and more. Each place would add its own flavor, climate, and story to the bean’s journey.

And that’s where we’re headed next.

Thanks for reading
krishna chandana-Coffee Duo