Coffee Arabica Plantation Tradition of Hassan Malnad

Hassan district lies in Karnataka's coffee belt, with its western slopes receiving high rainfall suitable for Arabica coffee cultivation under the shade of native Malnad forest trees. Estate owners and smallholder growers maintain traditional shade-grown coffee gardens that preserve forest biodiversity while producing premium quality beans. The Arabica variety grown in Hassan — particularly the Coorg S.795 and Kent varieties — is prized for its clean, bright acidity and complex fruit notes. Coffee is harvested by selective handpicking of ripe red cherries (bale), then processed by wet pulping and fermentation in on-estate processing units. Hassan's coffee growers' cooperatives collectively market their beans to specialty buyers and export grade roasters who seek Rainforest Alliance and shade-grown certification.