Now Reading: India’s coffee culture needs to value farmers, not just cafes
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India’s coffee culture needs to value farmers, not just cafes
The author, co-founder of Libertario India, argues that despite India’s booming specialty coffee cafe culture, consumers remain disconnected from the agricultural journey behind their cup. Unlike wine or mango drinkers who discuss…
The Story in Brief
The author, co-founder of Libertario India, argues that despite India’s booming specialty coffee cafe culture, consumers remain disconnected from the agricultural journey behind their cup. Unlike wine or mango drinkers who discuss vineyards or varieties, coffee drinkers rarely talk about origin, altitude, or processing methods. The piece contends that true coffee culture requires valuing farmers and producers, not just baristas and roasters, so that quality rewards everyone in the supply chain. The opinion piece was published on August 8, 2026.
The Indian Opinion
The article romanticises specialty coffee’s rise while ignoring the real issue: Indian coffee farmers remain price-takers in a volatile global market. Exaggerated claims about “visible signs of change” overlook that 70% of India’s coffee is exported as green beans, with little value addition at origin. The comparison to wine or mangoes is lazy, those products have protected geographical indications and organised marketing boards, which coffee lacks. Instead of asking consumers to chase obscure roast profiles, the industry should push for mandatory origin labelling and fair-price certification. The real test is whether a Coorg grower gets Rs 500 per kg or just Rs 150, not how many pour-overs Bengaluru sells.
Source: thehindubusinessline.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
