The Kelagur Mathias Bangalore, Karnataka

With over 150 Hectares of Tea, the plantation yields an industry leading average of over 4000 Kgs per hectare. Highly trained pluckers move from bush to bush selecting only the tenderest green leaves in a manner that is far superior to the best mechanized system in the rest of the tea tracts. The Kelagur Mathias Plantation is unique from other producers in a host of ways: Blending is done in the fields and not in different factories as is done by most other tea blenders. Seeds dark Manipuri, from different blends are sourced from Assam in Northern India and strategically planted in selected acreage to maximize superior blend quality at the time of plucking. The location boasts the highest field elevations in the state of Karnataka. This provides ideal growing conditions such as higher humidity and ideal temperatures. To further enhance the quality of our tea product; the tea was planted in virgin soil. Sourced naturally from the Kelagur Hills, pure spring water is harvested and sprinkled over the plants. The natural mineral content of this water enhances the flavour profile of our tea.

Utilizing over 120 hectares of prime growing slopes, in the most salubrious climatic conditions in the world, we harvest about 150 tonnes of the finest Arabica and Robusta Coffee beans each year. For Arabica we have specifically chosen S.795 strain of coffee; usually avoided by other planters, because this strain is prone to disease and requires extra tender care. The fruit produces the most sought after flavour of Arabica coffee in the world. This is grown at optimum elevations of 3000 – 4000 feet above mean sea level. Coffee plants are protected by not one but two levels of natural canopy shade cover. Upper canopy comprising of trees from the FICUS Family (goni, bilibasari, mitli, atthi ) Albizzia Family (kalbage or pottabage ), Jackfruit, gandha garige. Lower canopy of shade is Erythrina/Dadap. Sourced naturally from the Kelagur Hills, pure spring water is harvested and sprinkled over the plants. This is the final link in the growing chain that differentiates them from most of our competitors. On site pulping and curing capabilities ensure that the harvested fruit is processed at its peak of freshness without delays in transportation or holding. Finally we differentiate ourselves from our competitors by storing our Washed, Honey processed and Natural processed coffee for 2 to 3 months in a seasoned hardwood dunnage box. Many growers, have tried and tested various alternatives of bean storage, but the awards to the Kelagur Mathias Plantation confirm our method is just that little bit superior! “Much like the aging process in good wines, the beans go through this maturation process, that we have pioneered, during which they develop full bodied flavour profiles much sought after by coffee aficionados around the world,” says Managing Partner Peter Mathias.