New Release - Ratnagiri Estate
This Indian coffee is an experience. We've long been fans of Indian coffee (well, the great ones) and are thrilled to launch our first single origin Indian with a premium coffee from Ratnagiri Estate.
The name Ratnagiri means “pearl mountains.” It alludes to the dense silver oak trees populating the hillside in and around Ratnagiri Estate. The oaks provide shade for coffee.
The Producer
Ashok Patre is the latest in a long line of Patres to own and operate Ratnagiri Estate. Begun in 1927, the Patre family has been focused on producing coffee at Ratnagiri estate for nearly 100 years. In 2000, Ashok began investing in modern agricultural technology and focusing on specialty coffee production.
Well-travelled and bursting with initiative, he has drawn inspiration from elsewhere to step beyond the boundaries of traditional Indian coffee cultivation and processing. Brix levels are tested before harvesting. Processing includes natural, honey and fermentation experiments alongside the traditional washed.
Ratnagiri Estate also maintains official Rainforest Alliance Certification. Quarterly soil tests and organic corrections to soil are applied. Ionic seawater and sea weed extract are applied to improve plant immunity and sugar levels of the fruit.
The estate is a lush shaded environment with 3 stories of shade. It is home to over 48 recorded bird populations, monkeys, leopards, wild boar, tigers, mongoose and - on occasion - elephants. The rich biodiversity demands that Ashok and his family have an approach to farming which places ecology and harmony with the environment at the forefront. This is a world class farm, truly one of the leading in India and a great example of Olam and the farmer working together to engineer excellence.
This lot was harvested at 23.6 brix, that's pretty darn sweet. There’s no rush during cherry picking. It’s slow, it’s steady, and it’s real. Hands that have worked this land for years know exactly when a cherry is just right. After the best of eyes, the cherries still pass through a colour sorted to ensure science finishes the job.