THE COFFEE
Estate : Balur
Roaster : Anecdote
Varietal : SLN 795
Process : Washed
The EsTate : BALUR
Balur Estate, a 250-acre single estate in the Western Ghats, is managed by third-generation planters. Established during British rule, it practices sustainable farming without external fertilisers or pesticides. In addition to coffee, it produces nutmeg, cacao, citrus fruits, and jackfruit. A serene lake supports its diverse crops. Nestled in a UNESCO World Heritage site, the estate thrives in harmony with nature, reflecting local traditions of respect and coexistence. (1)
Balur Estate was formally started in the 1840’s by the partnership of Thomas Cannon, Col. Onslow and R.G. Allardyce. Today, it is under the responsible stewardship of fourth generation coffee planters. India is the only country that grows all of its coffee under the canopy of native trees, there by preserving the local ecosystem and maintaining its biodiversity. “Shade grown coffee” plantations harbor a diversity of plants, insects, and animals that make up the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats region. Balur estate is nestled on the slopes of the Western Ghats at over 3200-3500 feet elevation. The estate produces quality Arabica and Robusta coffee along with other crops like pepper, cocoa, nutmeg and cardamom.
Balur Estate lies amongst the Sahyadri Range of the Western Ghats, declared a UNESCO World Heritage site and home to a huge variety of flora and fauna – some unique to this part of the world. Not only has the coffee at Balur Estate always been grown in a rainforest friendly plantation, but the local traditions also embrace a deep respect for nature and a culture of co-existence with life around us. The Balur Estate management is committed to restoring and enhancing the land, water and wildlife through habitat management and wildlife conservation. Their two decades of stewardship has been about returning the land and water to its former glory, restoring what was lost. Along this journey they were blessed to have the technical expertise of entomologists Dr. A. K. Chakravarthy, and Dr. N.E. Thyagaraj. A Green Future: They have been working on conservation projects to address issues like soil erosion, nutrient runoff, pesticide drift and loss of wildlife habitats. (2)
The Roaster : Anecdote
