We offered India Elkhill in 2007, and Coffee Review gave us a 95 point rating, one of their highest at that time. We carried it again the following year, 2008, and we quickly sold out. Elkhill was completely unavailable in the USA since 2008, all of it sold abroad. Despite our efforts we could not get any. Finally, we contracted to purchase more directly from source and it has now arrived.
This year’s 2011 crop of Elkhill Estate was harvested December through February . Elkhill Coffee Estate is located in the Coorg hills, 60 miles south of Mysore,
and coffee was first planted there in 1854. The property is owned by the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation Ltd., which was itself established in Bombay (Mumbai) India in 1863. This fine quality coffee is truly
"Forest Grown", (shade grown) under Rosewood and White Cedar trees. Great emphasis
is placed on sustainable agricultural practices combined with a 150+ year growing
tradition.
Elkhill Estate is teeming with wildlife, from an impressive variety of birds
to wild elephants which frequently pass through the farm. This is a large plantation,
with 500 full time staff, plus dependents, who are provided with excellent care
including free housing, childcare, a quality medical facility including a full
time doctor and 3 nurses plus a small hospital on premises. The employees are
paid salaries rather than being paid by the weight they pick, thus insuring
only ripe cherry is harvested. This is a washed coffee, so wetmill operations
including depulping and fermentation, followed by sun drying and drymill operations,
are entirely done on the estate.
We roast this coffee lightly to bring out its sweetness and preserve its delicate
character. We find this roast optimal for this particular coffee.
India Elkhill Estates is UTZ Certified. This coffee bears certification number 3-020-27-1-783 on 8/4/11.
Cup characteristics: Smooth, sweet mellow flavor, with an elegant flavor and
spicy background reminiscent of nutmeg and cinnamon.
