Araku Coffee- A class apart

Coffee from the tribal plantations of Araku valley has been adjudged one of the coffee at the global level. Recently,an Indian coffee blend called Araku, produced by tribal youth in Andhra Pradesh, has won a gold medal at the Prix Epicures OR 2018 Award in Paris, France. This global recognition has pushed Araku valley coffee into limelight.

Araku Valley had been known for its spices. The hills with altitude ranging from 900-1300m above sea level, had the climate perfect for coffee too. The coffee from Araku is not from large plantations but from small farmers mainly tribals who cultivate it in their own property. The coffee has a distinct aroma which is attributed to the fact that chemical insecticideshave never been used in these plants.

Coffee was introduced to the valley in late 1950s as part of tribal development programmes by the Andhra Pradesh government under Girijan Co-operative Corporation (GCC).  The tribals who used to practice shifting cultivation took to the more sustainable path of coffee farming. Since the coffee is frown in shade, it also promoted afforestation as compared to the deforestation with shifting cultivation. Coffee has bettered the life of tribals and they now have better houses, vehicles, education and health

Araku valley coffee is an Arabica variety and it has a wholesome taste that lingers. Araku's coffee has an extraordinary profile, according to experts. According to Yuko Itoi, a long-time specialty coffee jury member with Cup of Excellence, an annual event to identify top-quality coffee, Araku coffee mostly has good flavour and sweetness, which is due to their organic compost and good care of the farm. "Araku coffee mostly has good flavour and sweetness, which is due to their organic compost and good care of the farm," said Itoi, a coffee buyer from Tokyo who buys around 3,000kg of Araku coffee a year. "Through my almost 10 years of relationship and visits to Araku, I can say that the quality of their coffee is getting better every year."

More and more high-end coffee buyers and roasters worldwide are trying out Araku valley coffee and falling in love with it. Araku coffee already has an exclusive store in Paris which is promoted by Naandi Foundation.

Ffox coffee brings you a unique blend from Araku valley. Sourced from choice tribal plantations, the blend has been named Das FfoxKaffe. FFox uses only washed Arabica beans to create this mesmerizing blend.