India Ashok and Divya Patre

Region: Chikmagalur

Farm: Ratnagiri Estate

Varietal: Catuai

Altitude : 1335 MASL

Processing: Hydro Honey

Tasting Notes: Dried Apple, Stone Fruits, Caramel

At Ratnagiri Estate in Chikmagalur, Ashok and Divya Patre are pushing the boundaries of Indian specialty coffee through innovative approaches to fermentation and processing.

Ashok works alongside a PhD microbiologist and a renowned food scientist to develop carefully controlled processing techniques designed to shape and enhance the character of each coffee.

Hydro Honey is one of their newer experimental processes — a unique hybrid that brings together elements of natural, washed and honey processing.

After harvesting, the whole cherries are partially dried on shaded raised beds before being submerged in water for a controlled rehydration stage. The cherries are then de-pulped, leaving much of the mucilage intact around the parchment.

The wet parchment is then returned to raised beds and slowly dried for 33 days, allowing the coffee to develop through an extended and carefully managed drying phase.

The result is a process that reflects Ratnagiri’s philosophy: curiosity, precision and a willingness to challenge what coffee processing can be.