A Journey from Misty Hills to Your Cup: The Araku Coffee Story

Hey coffee family,

Picture this: mist-draped hills, sun-dappled mornings, and tribal women gently plucking ripe coffee cherries under silver oaks, this is Araku Valley, nestled in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh, India. Locals fondly call it the “Ooty of Andhra Pradesh”, a coffee-scented slice of paradise where tradition meets nature’s beauty The Federal.

For generations, tribal farmers here have nurtured coffee using methods passed down through families, no synthetic fertilizers, no shortcuts, just rich soil, fallen leaves, and time-honored care. Their beans, densely flavored and organic by nature, were once sold only locally, until recently.

From Backyard Harvest to Global Shelf

Here’s where the story makes my heart race: the Andhra Pradesh government, through the Girijan Cooperative Corporation (GCC), has teamed up with Tata Consumer Products, aiming to brand and export organic Araku coffee to markets near and far. And yes, they’re in talks with Starbucks to serve it on their menu, talk about a dream come true for a humble valley brew.

The People Behind the Beans

Let me tell you about T. Ramamma, a widowed tribal woman whose life was transformed by coffee. Today, her careful cultivation earns her more than six lakh rupees a year, a meaningful leap compared to her neighbors with the same land size. And she’s not alone. Gemali Kamala, another widow, provides for her family solely through coffee farming. Together, they’re part of the 230,000 tribal farmers whose livelihoods bloom thanks to this bean.

Quality Meets Sustainability

Organic coffee isn’t just a buzzword here, it’s a commitment. Farmers avoid all chemical fertilizers and pesticides for three years, earning certification from FoodCert (under APEDA) in the fourth year. GCC is expanding organic farming across more acres, bringing an additional 6,000 hectares under certified cultivation in the next few years.

The Taste That Travels

This isn’t just about coffee; it’s about flavor and heritage. Araku coffee brings something unique to the table, rich, layered, and brewed with love. As Kalpana Kumari, GCC’s MD, put it: “The taste of Araku coffee is unlike any other, and that uniqueness is its strength.” And soon, that strength is heading to cups across India and the world.

What This Means for Us at Win Win Coffee

You know how we love sharing beans that tell a story, blends with purpose, roasts with heart. Araku coffee fits like a glove. It’s organic, community-driven, and rooted in tradition. Whether we’re roasting a morning medium or guiding folks through a pour-over, there’s power in connecting someone’s daily habit to a tribe of farmers thousands of miles away.

Imagine sharing a steaming cup and saying: “These beans were gently farmed under silver oaks, nurtured by families, carried from misty hills straight to your mug.” That’s beyond taste, that’s connection.

Wrapping Up with Warmth

Every cup of coffee can be a journey. Araku’s journey spans tradition, sustainability, and global recognition and it’s inviting us to be part of that story. It’s about more than flavor, it’s about celebrating culture, supporting livelihoods, and making each sip meaningful.

Thanks for brewing with us, here’s to coffee that connects.