The Sai Ashirwad estate is situated in Chikmagaluru, Karnataka, cultivating Arabica Chandragiri alongside Robusta CxR and Old Peridenia at 920 m.a.s.l. This farm is certified organic and is a biodiverse habitat, hosting diverse fauna such as the Indian Gaur, spotted deer, and the Malabar Giant squirrel. Beyond cultivation, the estate maintains its own processing unit, dry yards, and established water harvesting ponds.

The Sai Ashirwad coffee is processed using the Natural method. This is a meticulous production process that begins when each cherry is hand-picked. The key feature distinguishing this specialty Robusta is the innovative fermentation technique. The hand-picked cherries are subjected to an exclusive 84-hour anoxic fermentation. This innovative method involves the cherries fermenting in oxygen-depleted tanks, which is done to elevate the coffee's flavour profile.

Peridenia is part of the Congo group of Robusta varieties. Its story traces back to the 19th-century coffee leaf rust outbreak that devastated Arabica globally. It was introduced to India via Srilankan estates as an alternate crop for vulnerable Arabica. This traditional, tall-statured variety is known for being high-yielding and moderately resistant to leaf rust and nematodes. CxR (Caturra × Robusta or Congensis x Robusta) is a modern hybrid developed by India’s Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI). Created to improve resilience, it merges the flavor quality of Arabica (Caturra) with the strength of Robusta. CxR is a climate-resilient, semi-dwarf plant that produces bold, low-acid beans with an intense aroma, contributing desirable flavour notes.

Robusta is responsible for about 40% of global trade and is valued for its hardiness, high caffeine content, and resistance to diseases like coffee leaf rust, often thriving at lower altitudes and higher temperatures than Arabica. Technically, roasting robusta requires fundamentally different protocols due to the bean’s rigid cellular structure, which necessitates an extended development time ratio (DTR) and management techniques like Drum Speed Modulation (DSM) to achieve uniform internal development and prevent defects like the Double Layer defect. Click on our News page to read our 'Robusta Revival' article.