Coffee Plantations in India: The 7 Off-Beat Places to Visit for Caffeine Lovers

Coffee is that magical concoction that changes the morning drowsiness into active brilliance within a snap. The steam from this freshly brewed beverage will awaken your senses in a way that is hard to explain in words. The high-quality coffee beans produced in India are used to make both filter coffee and instant coffee. The native coffee is known to have mesmerising earthy notes that improve the taste of the drink and give you a refreshing after-feel once you are done devouring it. The taste is achieved because of the techniques adopted by workers at the coffee plantations in India.

Many of the famous cafes in India receive their arabica, robusta, liberica, and excelsa beans from coffee plantations in India. As soon as you open the bag of beans, the aroma hits your nose buds and gives you an exhilarating rush that is too satisfying. Here, we are going to talk about the top coffee plantations in India that are spread across the Southern belt of the country. 

When you visit these places, you can enjoy the dense greenery of the coffee plantations and also see gorgeous views of the surrounding valleys. These destinations are also famous for their serene atmosphere and tranquillity. People who want a weekend off from their hectic schedule can explore these perfect tourist spots which are also the leading coffee plantations in India. 

Read on to find out more about these 7 places!

7 Must-Visit Coffee Plantations in India

These destinations are popular for having the best Coffee Estates in India. Let’s know more about them! 

1 – Munnar

Munnar is a beautiful destination in God’s own country – Kerala. This is where you will find both tea and coffee plantations in abundance. Munnar is undoubtedly one of the leading contributors to quality coffee production in India. The climatic conditions and elevation of the valleys provide the right environment for growing the Arabica and Robusta varieties of coffee beans. You can directly purchase the beans from government-approved shops and factories in the region. The local coffee estates in Munnar also send a bulk amount of coffee beans to nationwide coffee houses and export them to other countries. You can clearly see how this is helping improve the economic abundance of the country. 

For tourists, Munnar is one of the best destinations to explore the acres of coffee estates, taste different flavours of coffee, see how the factories process the coffee and also have a refreshing time amidst the lush canopies of green trees. The cool atmosphere is calming, it is almost therapeutic. Munnar is also a good place to go on heritage tours and interact with the local plantation workers. 

While you are in Munnar, book your affordable stay atHotels in Munnar which is conveniently close to coffee plantations and very famous tourist attractions. 

Best Tourist Places – Blossom Park, Kolukkumalai Tea Estate, Pothamedu View Point, Attukal Waterfalls, Kundala Lake, and Mattupetty Dam.
Best Time to Visit For Exploring Coffee Plantations – October to February

2 – Coorg

It won’t be wrong to say that Coorg has the ideal climate for coffee plantations and these significantly contribute to Karnataka’s economy. People from across the country come here to get their hands on the finest coffee beans. From regular coffee drinkers to cafe owners, the coffee bean shopping happens in full swing! Coorg, that is also known as Kodagu, has several coffee plantations that let visitors pick their own berries and send them for processing. You can also take a tour of the entire stretch of coffee plantations in Coorg, click several good pictures, enjoy the coffee tasting, and go trekking on these marvellous plantation lands.

 In Coorg, you can also visit spice plantations that are usually within the vicinity of the coffee plantations. Tourists can enjoy mesmerising views of the valley, enjoy the backdrop of mist-laden mountains, and drive on roads that have coffee plantations on either side of their stretch. There are several coffee estates in India and most of the good ones are in Coorg. In certain places in these famous hill stations, you can also explore coffee therapy and spas!
Best Tourist Places – Raja’s Seat, Abbey Falls, Madikeri View Point, Dubare Elephant Camp, and Namdroling Golden Temple. 
Best Time to Visit For Exploring Coffee Plantations – March to June

Also Read: Best Time To Visit Coorg:

3 – Araku Valley

If you ask anyone in Andhra Pradesh where you can get the best Arabica coffee beans, they will point you toward Araku Valley. Most of the locals are employed in coffee plantations and there is a local museum that shows you the history graph of coffee plantations in India and Araku valley. This is one of the famous tourist places in the state and is also popular as a scenic honeymoon destination for young couples. People usually dress up in the local attires and click pictures in the coffee plantations that are impressively green and widespread throughout the valley.

 The moderate temperature in Araku Valley is one of the main reasons why high-quality Arabica beans are able to grow here. Also, the plantations are known for adapting organic and sustainable agricultural practices to maintain the ecological balance and also promote high coffee production. The main reason coffee plantation was introduced in Araku was to empower the local tribals and create a source of living for them. This slowly picked up pace and Araku established itself as a leading coffee-producing region in the country. 

Best Tourist Places – Tribal Museum Araku, Borra Caves, Padmapuram Gardens, Coffee Museum, Chaparai Water Cascade, and Galikonda View Point.
Best Time to Visit For Exploring Coffee Plantations – September to February

4 – Yercaud

Yercaud is another interesting tourist place and also a leading region for coffee plantations in India, especially Arabica beans. It is perched on top of the scenic Shevaroy Hills and has an impressive elevation of 1500 metres above sea level. The temperature usually ranges between 15 to 25 degrees Celsius and this is the apt climate required to produce high-quality Arabica beans. The locals are very experienced in cultivating the best coffee that is sure to impress national and international buyers who are interested in securing high-quality beans. They are well-versed in everything from meticulously planting a sapling at the right time to harvesting the berries in the right season. 

When you interact with the locals, they are more than happy to share this knowledge with tourists! Yercaud is a charming place with hills that are concealed by veils of mist, rich greenery, good food, and friendly locals. It is also a good place to go on cultural tours, explore the rich ethnic heritage of Kerala and explore birds and animals in their actual habitats. Visitors can take a walk around the acres of coffee plantations, taste freshly brewed coffee, stay on tree estates, and also go to famous viewpoints that offer splendid scenery of the rolling valleys. 

Best Tourist Places – Kiliyur Waterfalls, Pagoda Point, Arunachaleshwarar Temple, Yercaud Lake, Karadiyoor View Point, Gents Seat, and Peeku Park. 
Best Time to Visit For Exploring Coffee Plantations – October to June

5 – Chikmagalur

Chikmagalur is a coffee lover’s paradise! This is where you will find sprawling coffee plantations in India and have the perfect opportunity to go on a journey of coffee tasting. We can confidently go ahead and say that is a reserved hill station with low network connectivity but a lot of marvellous places to explore. This place provides the perfect disconnect from the corporate hustle and bustle. It is also called the ‘coffee land of Karnataka’. As soon as you start to approach the plantations, you are hit with the aroma of berries that are ready to be harvested. The local residents get to the work of harvesting coffee beans quite early in the morning and it is so soothing to see them go around with the baskets when the birds are chirping and welcoming a new dawn. 

Tourists can explore the plantations, stay overnight in retreats and coffee estates, taste different types of coffee and see how different coffee beans are processed before packing for nationwide sales. The climatic conditions in Chikmagalur are suitable for coffee plantations and a trip to this place is the best choice for those who enjoy cold weather coupled with the view of towering mountains. You can sip on freshly brewed coffee and enjoy the scenic views of the verdant valleys while listening to your favourite melodies playing from retro audio systems. It is so calming to imagine this scenario in your head, isn’t it? 

Best Tourist Places – Hebbe Falls, Kallathigiri Falls, Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Mullayanagiri, Kudremekh Peak, and Z Point.
Best Time to Visit For Exploring Coffee Plantations  – September to March

Food lovers who are planning to explore Chikmagalur will benefit from reading this blog: Restaurants In Chikmagalur

6 – Daringbadi

Daringbadi has some of the slowly emerging coffee plantations in India. Initially, the coffee growing was limited to less than 50 acres of land, then the number increased to 57 and reached 70 acres now. At the beginning of 2023, the government took up initiatives to increase coffee plantations to employ the locals and also utilise the apt climate that is suitable for producing high-quality coffee beans. Previously, the authorities used to send coffee seeds from the plantations to Bhubaneshwar for processing. But now, there is ample technological development to process the seeds within Daringbadi. 

You can explore a wide stretch of coffee plantations without being disturbed by large crowds. Also, Daringbadi’s coffee is known to have strong earthy notes that leave a satisfying after-taste on the tongue at least for an hour after you are done consuming the fresh brew. Daringbadi is also popularly called the ‘Kashmir of Odisha’ because of its atmosphere. Even during the peak summers, the temperature at night doesn’t rise above 24 degrees Celsius. This climate is the best for growing the best coffee beans! 

Best Tourist Places – Coffee Garden, Nature Park, Sunset Point, Hill View Park, Belghar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Daringbadi Waterfalls.
Best Time to Visit For Exploring Coffee Plantations – November to February

7 – Wayanad

Wayanad is slowly gaining traction for being one of the most sought-after tourist destinations in India. The atmosphere here feels like a scene right out of an old Indian romantic film. The climate will soothe your nerves and the pleasant aroma from the coffee plantations will bring a smile to your face. Wayanad is famous for its lush landscapes, charismatic valleys, and scenic viewpoints. Tourists should definitely go on guided coffee plantation tours that will give you a glimpse of various stages of coffee production and introduce you to the minute details of effective coffee making. The coffee tasting sessions are very thrilling and coffee lovers will surely enjoy them! The nature walks in these coffee plantations are very refreshing and satisfying. They give you a chance to clear your head and ready yourself to face your daily routine again. The coffee plantations are also the perfect places to click Instagram-worthy images. You will find locals carrying native clothing that you can don and click pictures in the coffee valleys. When you come to Wayanad, do not miss out on the stunning sunrise and sunset views from the famous peak points. 

Best Tourist Places – Meenmutty Waterfalls, Chembra Peak, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, Edakkal Caves, Banasura Sagar Dam, Soochipara Falls, and Lakkidi View Point. 
Best Time to Visit For Exploring Coffee Plantations – December to March

You May Also Want To Read: Best Time To Visit Wayanad

If you want to have a coffee experience that goes beyond the taste palette, then you must visit these wonderful coffee plantations in India. See how those beans are grown, harvested, processed, ground and roasted before making the finest coffee to exist!