Meet Ashok and Divya Patre, the dynamic duo revolutionizing Indian specialty coffee at Ratnagiri Estate in Chikmagalur. Carrying forward a tradition that began in 1927, this third-generation farming family has taken their ancestral land and turned it into a playground for coffee innovation. The estate's name, Pearl Mountains, comes to life through the shimmering canopy of silver oak trees that blanket the hills. These high-altitude slopes, blessed with generous rainfall and incredibly fertile soil, provide the perfect environment for exceptional coffee cultivation.
Mr Ashok stands out as a true innovator in the Indian coffee scene. His approach blends traditional understanding of local growing conditions with bold, modern processing experiments that challenge conventions. Partnering with two microbiologists in state-of-the-art facilities, he carefully monitors every stage of fermentation to unlock new flavor possibilities. This pioneering spirit caught the attention of industry expert Damian Durda, and their collaboration continues to break new ground in what Indian specialty coffee can achieve.
Take this stunning Catuai as proof of their groundbreaking work. The cherries spent 42 hours fermenting anaerobically with Intenso and Cima microbes in specially designed bioreactors, then rested on raised beds for 24 days to develop their full character. The cup delivers a remarkable floral profile that transports you straight to a sun-drenched Spanish terrace with a glass of Sangria in hand. This is what happens when tradition meets innovation.
