March 24th, 2007 | admin

The high ranges of Kerala produce fine coffee beans that give tasty aromatic brew, which has an unmistakable appeal. More than 80 % of coffee produced in Kerala comes from the high ranges of Wayanad, the district full of hills and forests. Blessed with the cold climate, coffee farmers here used to cultivate coffee on a large scale. There is, however a slump in enthusiasm of farmers as the prices given to them are below par. Alternative methods like Indian Coffee House, a chain of restaurants actively take coffee directly from the farmers provide some measure of solace to the farmers.

The plant, Coffea Arabica trees are grown well at altitudes 1,300 m to 1,500 m. The trees are kept at an average height of 5 m. Trimming is usual practice. Coffee plantations experience a pleasant smell that resembles jasmine at the time of blossom. After a few days, it starts appearing thick green fruits, which gradually changes to yellow and smooth deep red as they ripen. The fruits or berries are edible and has a pleasant taste. The so called coffee beans are the seeds of the fruits. Each fruit has 1-3 seeds; fruits bearing two seeds are most common.

Coffee is traded across the world. In monetary terms, coffee is the second largest traded item after petroleum.