About India Balmaadi Organic Arabica

Balmaadi Estate grows one of India’s finest Arabica coffees. The estate practices bio-dynmaic methods of agriculture complemented with the tradional panachagavya and agri hotra. The coffee is grown at an elevation of 4500-6500ft enabling the berries to mature and develop its unique flavour. Balmaadi Estate is certified as organic.

About Balmaadi Estate

Balmaadi estate is situated in the Nilgiris district of the southern state of Tamil Nadu in India. It is part of the O’Valley group of plantations that were developed over 150 years ago by an enterprising Scotsman, John Ouchterloney. Home to the mysterious Toda tribes (many say they are a lost Greek regiment of Alexander The Great) , it is today a hill resort of repute.

Balmaadi grow coffee, tea, cardamom and stevia at an elevation of 4000 – 6000 ft above sea level, which for coffee is well above other coffees in India. The coffee grows under the natural shade of the native ‘shola’ trees and others such as Jackfruit , ficus, Albizzia, African neem and cedars.

The plantation is a sanctuary for the wild animals and we limit our activities, as to not disturb them. The quietude may be broken by the frantic cry of the deer escaping the chase of the panther or the rumblings of the elephant herd as they head towards the river to feed on the banana grove. Even before the first rays of the sun bathe the estate, we are awakened by the melody of bird calls and cacophony of marauding monkeys.

Balmaadi practice a mix of ancient Vedic methods coupled with the Bio-dynamic methods advocated by Rudolf Steiner. We make our own compost, liquid manure and cow horn manure, silica et al. ‘Pachagavyam’, which is concotion of 5 products from the cow i.e .milk, curd, ghee, dung and urine are fermented in time honoured proportions and sprayed as a tonic. At sunrise, we salute the sun god and make a small offering invoking his blessings. This is called ‘agni hotra’. The ashes from this offering are sprinkled all over the estate as a pest repellent.

Balmaadi coffees have won numerous awards including “Flavour Of India, Fine Cup Award, 2004” for India’s best Arabica coffee and also the best Arabica coffee in the Nilgiris region.