India - Monsoon Malabar

Manjarabad | Monsooned | AA

India's Monsoon Malabar is unlike almost any other coffee we roast – bold, full-bodied and remarkably low in acidity, with deep chocolate, warming spice and an unmistakably earthy character.

Grown in the Manjarabad region of Karnataka, this distinctive Indian coffee takes its name from the unusual process that transforms the green beans after harvest.

The story of Monsoon Malabar dates back to the days when coffee travelled from India to Europe aboard wooden sailing ships. Voyages could take around six months, and exposure to humid monsoon conditions during the journey caused the coffee beans to absorb moisture, swell and gradually change in both appearance and flavour.

Modern monsooning deliberately recreates that transformation on land. The coffee is exposed to the moisture-laden monsoon air in open-sided warehouses on India's west coast, typically over a period of three to six months. During this time, the beans swell, soften and develop their characteristic pale colour while their acidity falls dramatically.

Our Monsoon Malabar is AA grade, with large, carefully prepared beans that roast into an exceptionally rich and distinctive cup.

The result is a heavy, creamy coffee with notes of dark chocolate and warming spice, accompanied by the earthy, slightly savoury character for which Monsoon Malabar is famous. Its naturally low acidity and substantial body make it particularly well suited to darker roasting and bold brewing methods.

Rich, smooth and unapologetically different, Monsoon Malabar is a brilliant choice for anyone who prefers body and depth over bright acidity.

Tasting Notes: Dark Chocolate • Spice • Earthy

Origin: India
Region: Manjarabad, Karnataka
Process: Monsooned
Altitude: 900–1,200 MASL
Grade: AA
Screen Size: 18
Roast: Dark

Recommended Brew Methods

Espresso ★★★★★
A fantastic choice for a big, full-bodied espresso. Expect dark chocolate, warming spice and a heavy, creamy mouthfeel with very little acidity.

Flat White / Cappuccino / Latte ★★★★★
Monsoon Malabar's substantial body stands up exceptionally well to milk. Its dark chocolate and spice character creates a rich, powerful milk-based coffee without relying on sharp acidity.

Cafetière ★★★★★
An excellent match for this coffee. Immersion brewing emphasises its heavy body, earthy depth and chocolate character, producing a rich and satisfyingly full cup.

Moka Pot / Stove Top ★★★★★
Made for those who like their coffee bold. The concentrated brewing style complements Monsoon Malabar's low acidity, deep chocolate and warming spice beautifully.

AeroPress ★★★★☆
A slightly cleaner way to enjoy Monsoon Malabar while retaining plenty of its characteristic body and richness.

Our pick: Espresso
For a wonderfully heavy, creamy shot packed with dark chocolate and warming spice, with the exceptionally low acidity that makes Monsoon Malabar so distinctive.

- All of our coffees are 100% Specialty Grade

- We roast to order so you can guarantee the freshest possible coffee

- All of our coffees are ethically sourced

We always recommend buying whole bean coffee as this is the best for freshness. We are however happy to grind our coffee to your specification if this is how you would prefer it.  Please note, we only supply ground coffee in 227g and 500g bags. 

As a small independent roastery, we occasionally adjust prices to reflect rising costs and to continue roasting responsibly. Existing subscriptions are unaffected.