Hardoor Giri Estate sits in the Western Ghats mountain range near Kodagu, India, more than 1,000 meters above sea level. The estate has been cared for by the same family for five generations and is now managed by Mukul Mahindra.
Coffee grows here under shade, surrounded by much more than coffee. Black pepper, avocado, orange, banana, jackfruit, and lychee all grow on the estate, along with more than 160 identified species of trees. That canopy has made Hardoor an important habitat for birds, and the farm has been recognized as India’s first Smithsonian-certified bird-friendly coffee farm.
This lot comes through KaadKaapi, a collective working with farmers in South India to make forest-friendly coffee more viable. The idea is practical, but it also comes from a larger belief: when coffee farms can support wildlife movement, biodiversity, and better prices for producers, there’s more reason to keep these landscapes intact.
The variety is S795, one of India’s classic Arabica selections, widely grown for its resilience, sweetness, and depth. Processed as a natural, the coffee dries inside the fruit, pulling forward that strawberry-guava character while keeping a creamy, earthy softness underneath.
The cup feels like the place it comes from: lush, a little funky, and full of life.
