Plot India Gungegiri Estate Whole Bean

7oz / 200g Whole Bean
Notes: Plum, Clementine, Caramel
Region: Chikmagalur, Karnataka
Producer: Hamsini and Shreeram Appadurai, Gungegiri Estate
Varietal: S795
Process: Natural Lactobacillus and Pichia Fermentation
Elevation: 1200 - 1450 m
Harvest: November 2024 - January 2025
 
From Plot:
 
"This is the first lot we’ve purchased from Gungegiri Estate in the captivating Chandra-Drona hills of Chikmagalur, considered to be the birthplace of Indian coffee. This lactic fermented lot has a really interesting and complex profile with juicy plum and orange notes balanced by a rich caramel sweetness that makes it truly moreish.
 
Lot Info
Cherries are hand-selected based on their ripeness. Vibrant red or dark red, depending on the variety, with maximum sugar concentration. Selective manual harvesting ensures uniform ripeness, which sets the stage for controlled fermentation and complex flavour development.
 
Cherries are sorted using a water flotation method where only the dense, ripe cherries that sink are retained. Floaters, which are usually underripe or damaged, are discarded. Flotation sorting is a reliable early-stage quality check as cherry density strongly correlates with ripeness and sugar content.
 
Before fermentation begins, the sorted cherries are briefly pre-dried to reduce excess surface moisture, minimizing undesirable microbial growth and supporting beneficial yeast and bacterial activity. The fruits are then placed in sealed, oxygen-free fermentation tanks for 78 hours. The batch is inoculated with a carefully selected microbial culture containing Lactobacillus and Pichia yeast strains. These microorganisms drive a clean and expressive fermentation.
 
After fermentation, cherries are spread on raised beds in a ventilated polyhouse, which provides UV-filtered light and rain protection, enabling a more consistent drying environment. The drying lasts for approximately 12–15 days during which the cherries are turned multiple times a day to promote uniformity and avoid mould development.
 
Producer
British brothers WL Crawford and CS Crawford first cultivated coffee in Gungegiri in 1890. This 200-hectare farm features numerous streams and springs that provide plentiful water during summer months—hence the name “Ganga.” Gungegiri Estate is located in the captivating Chandra-Drona (Baba Budangiri) hills of Chikmagalur district.
 
At elevations of 1,200-1,450 meters above sea level, both Arabica and Robusta varieties grow under the shade of indigenous trees like Atti (Fig), Basari (Grey Fig or Java Fig), Neeruli (Tree Onion), Ficus altissima and Terminalia bellerica. These trees support diverse wildlife, which the estate management is committed to protecting and coexisting with. The wild fauna contributes to nuanced flavours in the cup, making Gungegiri naturals popular with roasters worldwide. The estate serves as a haven for peacocks, spotted deer, and other wildlife, and features an ancient Shiva temple on one of its hills."