Amid the misty hills of Chikkmagalur, India, Ajoy and Pranoy Thipaiah of the Kerehaklu Estate have dedicated their lives to cultivating nothing but the best on their biodiverse land growing coffee and other local vegetation on their 97-hectare plantation. For five generations, the family has worked  to continue their ancestors legacy by enriching the coffee culture within India.

The name “Kerehaklu” translates  to “shelter by the lake”. This title encapsulates their  rootedness in the landscape as the thick forest creates a canopy over the coffee trees, allowing for optimal bean development. Since the beginning, in 1953, the family has honored  the harmony of nature and craftsmanship with each harvest “contributing  to a lineage of knowledge” that they aim to preserve for future generations. In the early years, the Thiapiah family focused on producing Wash Process coffee, but in more recent years the family has expanded their horizons to  create exceptional Washed, Natural, and Honey Process coffees. Since 2019, the estate has focused greatly on post-harvest processing and the final cup to maintain quality. Connecting with their roasting partners for genuine feedback they are able to alter their processing as needed. Pranoy has been using his Biology degree to work with the microflora to enrich the sensorial experience, allowing them to create something unique to their land and their ancestors.

We had the pleasure of meeting Pranoy in Chicago for the 2024 Specialty Coffee Expo. While it was a brief introduction, it was immediately clear that he’s a  genuine guy that cares deeply about his work and his community. This is our first year sourcing coffee from Kerehaklu Estate, and we have enjoyed every cup! We have had the pleasure of sourcing coffee from the Kerehaklu Estate through one of our importers, Osito. We’re proud to work with producers like Pranoy and are excited to share his coffee and support the continued growth of specialty coffee in India.