Coffee and pepper estate morning
Wayanad's slopes are covered with robusta coffee grown under a canopy of shade trees, many of which double as supports for black pepper vines. Cardamom, areca nut, ginger and vanilla are grown alongside. We visit a family estate where the owner farms commercially and is happy to share the work, rather than a tourist plantation.
The walk follows estate paths for about an hour. Your host explains how coffee flowers after the first summer rains with white, jasmine-scented blossom in about February and March, how the cherries ripen and are picked between December and February, and how they are dried on concrete yards. Pepper vines are harvested at around the same time, and the berries turn black as they dry in the sun.
We finish at the estate bungalow for coffee made from the estate's own beans and a light Malabar breakfast or snacks. If the season is right, you may see picking, drying or the pulping of cherries. Many estates sell coffee and pepper directly. On request, we can arrange a longer stay at a plantation homestay.
Questions travellers ask
Good to know
When is coffee harvested in Wayanad?
Robusta coffee in Wayanad is usually picked from about December to February. The white coffee blossom appears after the first showers, often in February or March, and lasts only a few days, filling the estates with a jasmine-like scent. Pepper is harvested around the same time as coffee.
What kind of coffee grows in Wayanad?
Mostly robusta, grown under shade together with pepper, cardamom and areca nut. Wayanad is one of India's main robusta regions. Some estates also grow small amounts of arabica at higher elevations. The coffee is full-bodied and often used in South Indian filter coffee blends.
Can we buy coffee directly from the estate?
Usually yes. Many family estates sell roasted and ground coffee and black pepper directly to visitors, often at better quality and prices than in shops. Ask for a recent roast date and vacuum packing for travel. Check your home country's rules on importing food.
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