Monsooned, the Indian coffee of the Winds

Drinking coffee like a 19th century European.

Most coffee lovers know the "wet" and "natural" processing of coffee, which is also the first step to begin the... journey of coffee from the tree to our cup. However, in the magical universe of coffee, there are other processing methods with special results: coffees matured in liquor barrels, coffees that come from animals and coffees that mature in… tropical winds!

The reason for Monsooned coffee, a special processing method from one of the oldest "homes of coffee", India, which is really worth getting to know.



What do we mean when we say a coffee is Monsooned?

Monsoon means monsoon, which is nothing more than the warm and humid wind found in the Asian Continent and largely determines its seasons and climate. When we talk about Monsooned coffee, we are talking about raw, raw, "green" coffee that has been exposed to the monsoons for a period of three to four months. The grains grow in size, lose their acidity and acquire a characteristic pale yellow color. In the cup, Monsooned coffee is strong, with a strong body, spicy character and hints of chocolate.

The Monsooned coffee processing method is practiced in the coastal Karnataka region of India, and especially on the Malabar coast, and more limited in the mountains of Tamil Nadu, in the south of the country. Monsooned coffee is considered a Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) product in India and is protected by various provisions. The method is applied to both Arabica and Robusta coffees, and if in the past it was a forced practice due to the storage conditions in Indian ports, today one can find on the market monovarietal Monsooned coffees from India, of excellent quality and with attention to detail.

What is the story of Monsoon Coffee?

The roots of this particular process can be traced back to British Colonial times, when green coffee was transported from English possessions to Europe by ship, exposed to winds and humidity. As the journey from India to Europe could take up to six months and included the circumnavigation of Africa, the hot and humid winds, the monsoons, ripened the coffee, which changed in color, shape, texture but mainly in taste.

In general, the coffee arriving in Europe at that time was what we would today call "stale", as the journeys were time-consuming and the packaging conditions were poor. Today, when coffee transport time has been significantly reduced and the product is packaged much better, the coffee arrives at the roastery almost as it left the farm – which, however, deprives it of a multitude of aromas and characteristics that the coffee of the past had. The "Third Wave of Coffee", which played a decisive role in putting coffee on the culinary map, re-evaluated Indian Coffee, finding in monsooned beans characteristics that could not be found elsewhere. Today, Monsooned coffee has lost the 'stale' stamp it may have had in the past and is considered a delicatessen product, with a small but ever-expanding fanatical fan base.



Three suggestions for authentic, Indian Monsooned coffee from the Coffees.gr collection

India Roen Malabar Monsoon:  Single-origin, 100% Arabica coffee from India, from the coastal province of Malabar. It is characterized by intense notes of spices, cereals and nuts, rich cream and a velvety feel. A spicy, exotic coffee for connoisseurs.

Caffè Lab India Monsooned Karnataka: Single origin, 100% Robusta coffee from the coastal region of Karnataka in South India. It is characterized by intense notes of wood and dark caramel, intense body and a pleasant sense of bitterness. Those who love strong Italian espresso, in the Neapolitan style, will enjoy it here in its most gourmet and refined version.

New York Monorigini India Monsooned: New York Monorigini India Monsooned is 100% Arabica coffee from the coastal regions of India. It is characterized by a robust body, spicy character and subtle aromas of chocolate and nuts..

If you want to drink a cup of coffee like a 19th century European, a Monsooned coffee from the coast of India is the best solution.