Monsooned Malabar - origin, history, myth, legend

Monsoon Malabar is a unique variety, produced from Arabica coffee beans grown in Malabar, one of the wettest regions of India, known for its wild monsoon season. Monsooned coffee is technically aged coffee. Particularly the “Monsooned Malabar” label, where “Malabar” is a geographic term referring to the southwestern coast of India, home of the largest monsooned coffee production.

Monsooned Malabar - History

The origins of Monsoon Malabar date back to the times of the British Raj, when, during the months that the beans were transported by sea from India to Europe, the humidity and the sea winds combined to cause the coffee to ripen from the fresh green to a more aged pale yellow.

Monsooned Malabar - The new age monsooning process

The arabica beans from Chikmagalur are transported to Mangalore, a coastal city in India. Monsooning exposes natural arabica coffee to the moist monsoon winds. The beans are placed in ventilated warehouses that protect them from rainwater but not from the moist winds. The beans sit in layers four-to-six inches high and are raked frequently to equalize moisture absorption. This is followed by bulking and re-bagging at regular intervals. The total process takes 12 to 16 weeks. 

The monsooning process completely transforms the beans: By the end of it, several dramatic changes will have occurred. The beans will be swelled to almost double their original size, turning pale gold in color, with a high moisture content (close to 14.5% versus 10.5% for traditionally processed Indian coffees) but a much lower density than other coffees. 

At the same time, monsoon processed coffee typically requires more roast development to preserve traditional coffee flavors and attributes. It tends to offer grassy/woody flavors when only lightly roasted. In the finished cup, the desired flavor notes are earthy with some combination of chocolate, nut, and sugar. Monsoon coffee tends to be full-bodied and has much lower acidity and brightness than other coffees.

Monsooned Malabar - Notes

Monsoon Malabar coffee is extremely flavorful. Exposure to humid conditions and the aging process reduces its normal acidic qualities which gives the coffee an almost grainy and thick quality. In terms of flavors, you may expect strong spicy, smoky, and earthy notes or malty sweetness.

Protected Status

“Monsooned Malabar” coffee has protected status under India’s Geographical Indications of Goods Act.”