How a smelly fruit is driving up coffee prices worldwide?

The cost of unroasted coffee beans has hit a ‘historically high level,’ says analyst Judy Ganes.

Countries like Colombia, Ethiopia, and Uganda have stepped up their coffee production. (Wikimedia Commons photo)

Coffee prices are rising around the world, and a surprising factor behind it is the world’s smelliest fruit – the durian. In cities like London and New York, the price of a cup of coffee could soon reach £5 or $7.

The cost of unroasted coffee beans has hit a “historically high level,” said analyst Judy Ganes. This price increase is caused by a combination of crop failures, market problems, and low supplies.

In 2021, a frost in Brazil, the largest producer of Arabica beans, ruined coffee crops. To fill the gap, buyers turned to Vietnam, which produces Robusta beans, often used in instant coffee. But Vietnam experienced its worst drought in nearly 10 years, hurting coffee production even more.

On top of this, many farmers in Vietnam have started switching from growing coffee to planting durian, a fruit that’s very popular in China. The durian is so profitable that some farmers earn five times more from it than coffee. As a result, coffee exports from Vietnam dropped by 50% in June 2024.

Many farmers in Vietnam have started switching from growing coffee to planting a fruit called Durian. (Wikimedia Commons photo)

Countries like Colombia, Ethiopia, and Uganda have stepped up their coffee production, but they haven’t been able to fully make up for the shortage. This has caused the price of both Arabica and Robusta beans to reach near-record levels.

Paul Armstrong, who runs a coffee roasting business, warns that UK coffee drinkers might soon be paying over £5 for a cup. He says rising coffee prices are due to a “perfect storm” of issues affecting the coffee supply chain.

The upcoming coffee crop in Brazil is important for stabilizing prices. However, experts worry that long-term climate change could reduce coffee-growing areas by 50% by 2050, leading to even higher prices in the future.

To help, some suggest adding a small tax to support more sustainable farming practices.

(With inputs from BBC)

source: http://www.indianexpress.com / The Indian Expres / Home / by Express Web Desk / September 16th, 2024

Sips and smiles. The Indian Coffee Festival, September 13-15, Hyderabad

Who can resist a Delicious cup of coffee? CE takes a sip and explores much more at a three-day celebration of coffee, culture, and community

The Indian Coffee Festival turned out to be more than just an event. It felt like the start of something bigger for coffee culture in India.

Hyderabad :

As the sweet, majestic brown drops of coffee trickle down your throat, a pleasantly bitter aftertaste pervades your senses.

This experience was just a small part of the Indian Coffee Festival, a lively celebration of coffee culture held from September 13 to 15 in Jubilee Hills Convention Center.

Bringing together coffee enthusiasts and families, the event, a first of its kind in India, was graced by chief guest Sunalini Menon, Asia’s First Lady of Coffee. “The camaraderie that I saw, the happiness on people’s faces and everybody sipping different types of coffee…it was a very nice moment. This is the start of many more such events,” she said.

The idea for the festival came about in a way most coffee lovers would relate to—over a simple cup of coffee.

Anirudh Budithi, co-founder of the organising platform No Strings, explained, “We’re not from the coffee industry and we didn’t know much about plantations or brewing. But we were talking about it over coffee, and when we searched for coffee festivals, none were from India. That’s when we thought it was time to start one here because India has such a huge base of coffee drinkers.”

And what better place to host the first Indian Coffee Festival than Hyderabad, a city known for its love of food and beverages? “We know how much people in Hyderabad enjoy coffee, so it seemed like the perfect place for the festival’s first edition,” Anirudh added. The event featured top coffee brands such as Araku Coffee, Habitat Cafe, and many more, each offering their unique blends for attendees to taste and savour.

The festival wasn’t just about coffee tasting. It had something for everyone—expert-led talks, live latte art demonstrations, barista displays, and family-friendly activities, including special events for kids and pets. The atmosphere was further enhanced with live music, making it not just an event but an experience. As Srihari Chava, the festival’s co-founder, put it, “Coffee is not just a drink; it’s an experience and we wanted to offer coffee lovers a chance to immerse themselves in the world of coffee.”

Sunalini Menon touched on the city’s growing connection to coffee culture. “Hyderabad should definitely be on the coffee map, especially with Araku being so close. Coffee was traditionally brewed at home, especially in the South, but now it has become a drink enjoyed by people of all ages, including the younger generation,” she noted. She also hinted at the exciting possibility of future competitions like Barista and Latte Championships that could further boost Hyderabad’s role in India’s coffee scene.

Srihari Chava & Anirudh Budithi

Srihari Chava & Anirudh Budithi

The road to organising the festival wasn’t without its challenges. Anirudh shared how they initially planned to hold the event in July but had to push it to September due to logistical hurdles. “We’re not from the coffee ecosystem, so we didn’t know who to approach for help. But then we connected with Something’s Brewing, a platform which sells coffee merchandise. They guided us in setting everything up. They even helped us get other cafés involved, which was a huge boost,” Anirudh said. He also credited the Coffee Board of India and Girijan Corporation of Andhra for their support, which added credibility to the event.

For the attendees, it was a weekend well spent. Praneetha and Pradyumna, both employees at Deloitte, were thrilled with the event. “We’ve been looking for something fun to do over the weekend, and when we heard about the coffee festival, we knew we had to check it out. We both love coffee, so this was the perfect way to spend our weekend,” they shared.

Abhishek Bhandaru, who works in healthcare, also found the festival to be a refreshing experience. “It’s a one-stop shop for anything coffee-related. Whether you’re a long-time coffee drinker or just curious, you’ll learn so much here,” he shared.

The Indian Coffee Festival turned out to be more than just an event. It felt like the start of something bigger for coffee culture in India. With the success of this first edition, it’s clear that Hyderabad is ready to become a coffee destination, and this festival has certainly brewed up something special for the future.

source: http://www.newindianexpress.com / The New Indian Express / Home> Hyderabad / by Darshita Jain / September 19th, 2024

Actress Reeshma Nanaiah Gives Vicky Kaushal A Run For Money In Her Version Of Tauba Tauba

The viral video shows Reeshma in a light brown top, blue jeans and white sneakers.

Reeshma will be next seen in Upendra’s UI.

Reeshma Nanaiah is an Indian model and film actress who has primarily worked in the Kannada film industry. Reeshma made her Kannada debut with Prems’ Ek Love Ya. Recently, Vicky Kaushal has taken the internet by storm with his dance on the song Tauba Tauba from the film Bad Newz. Many actresses and influencers have been trying to replicate the hook steps ever since the video of the song was released. One such video of Kannada actress Reeshma Nanaiah replicating Vicky Kaushal’s Tauba Tauba dance steps with a twist has gone viral on the internet.

https://www.instagram.com/reel/C9Z4NytNs9j/?utm_source=ig_embed&ig_rid=6694da66-4408-4f1e-b389-56c5b7837038

The viral video shows Reeshma in a light brown top, blue jeans and white sneakers. She accessorised with a brown leather belt and rings. As the song Tauba Tauba is playing, the actress effortlessly grooves to the peppy beats of the song, adding her graceful touch to the performance. She also tries to do the same steps as Vicky Kaushal in the song. The video was shared on an Instagram account with the caption, “42 degrees in Abu Dhabi got me saying ‘Tauba Tauba’”.

Her debut film, Ek Love Ya, released in 2022, was a major milestone in her career. This film, where she played the role of Anitha, opened the doors for her in the Kannada film industry.

After her debut, Reeshma showcased her acting skills in the Kannada films Raana (2022) and Banadariyalli (2023). In 2023, she made a special appearance in the film Spooky College in which she contributed a song.

Moreover, Reeshma is involved in a few other projects in 2024 including UI The Movie, KD – The Devil and Vaamana. Each of these films helped develop her talent as an actress in the Kannada film industry.

Reeshma Nanaiah played the lead role in the Troll Song from Upendra’s film UI. The song, which became a sensation when it was released in five different languages, deals with the issue of trolling in the digital age and contains elements from popular roles and memes.

source: http://www.news18.com / News 18 / Home> News> Movies / by Entertainment Bureau ,Local News / July 16th, 2024

MP Wadiyar urges Sitharaman to continue to exempt pepper from GST

Bengaluru, Sept 17 (PTI) Lok Sabha MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar on Tuesday said he has written to Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to continue to exempt pepper from Goods and Services Tax (GST).

“Met Hon’ble FM Nirmala Sitharaman Ji to discuss GST exemption for black pepper, a vital issue for farmers in Kodagu, Hassan & Chikmagalur districts. Requested exemption continuation, citing agricultural produce classification & potential negative impact on farmers & exports (sic),” Wadiyar posted on X.

In his letter, a copy of which he had also posted on X, Wadiyar said that it has been brought to his notice that members of his Mysuru LS constituency, primarily from Kodagu district, have received notices from the GST office in Mysuru, stating that the sale of pepper grown at their plantation is subject to GST and that the planter also needs to be registered under the GST Act.

“The GST notice stems from a misunderstanding about the nature of the drying process. The pepper growers requisitioned me to bring to your kind attention that the drying process does not fundamentally alter the essential characteristics of pepper. It is primarily a preservation technique.

The GST Act’s definition of agricultural produce, clearly aligns with the nature of pepper, the treatment of similar commodities like paddy and chillies suggests that the classification of pepper as taxable product is inconsistent,” read the letter sent to the FM.

According to Wadiyar, the imposition of GST on these products could have significant negative consequences for the plantation districts of Karnataka, including Kodagu, Hassan and Chikkamagaluru, as well as for growers in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

“It could lead to increased costs, reduced profit margins and potential job losses. Additionally. It could negatively impact exports, reducing India’s competitiveness in the global market,” he added.

Wadiyar requested in his letter that after drying of green pepper, this dried pepper could be given a separate HSN code and exempt it from GST applicability. PTI JR ROH

This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

source: http://www.theprint.in / The Print / Home> India / by PTI / September 17th, 2024

Rashmika Mandanna sets off for Milan Fashion Week 2024 in style

This marks her second appearance at the event, highlighting her growing influence in the global fashion scene

In Frame: Rashmika Mandanna

Actress Rashmika Mandanna on Friday jetted off to Milan, Italy, where she is poised to make her mark once again on the global fashion stage at Milan Fashion Week 2024. This marks her second appearance at the prestigious event, underscoring her rising influence and prominence in the international fashion arena.

She was spotted at the airport radiating charm in a cute and chic outfit, a white sweatshirt and black joggers. With a heartwarming gesture, she made the sweetest heart signs to the photographers, showing off her signature blend of grace and playfulness.

An insider shared, “Rashmika will once again represent India on a global stage alongside numerous other Asian celebrities at Milan Fashion Week 2024.”

The fashion event, showcasing the 2025 spring/summer collections, will run from September 17 to September 23.

Rashmika also took to Instagram Stories to share a selfie from her flight, captioned, “Are you someone who, regardless of the season, always ends up in a sweatshirt or pullover?”

Previously, Rashmika left a lasting impression at Milan Fashion Week with a stunning black gown that won acclaim from fans and critics alike.

In addition to her fashion endeavours, Rashmika is a formidable presence in cinema, with an impressive slate of over eight upcoming films. Her diverse roles range from playing Srivalli in Pushpa 2: The Rule to collaborating with stars like Salman Khan in Sikandar, Dhanush and Nagarjuna in Kubera, Vicky Kaushal in Chhava, Dev Mohan in Rainbow, Ayushmann Khurrana in Vampires of Vijay Nagar, and Ranbir Kapoor in Animal Park.

Rashmika made her acting debut in 2016 with the Kannada film Kirik Party and has since appeared in notable Kannada films like Anjani Putra and Chamak, as well as Telugu hits such as Geetha GovindamDevadasDear ComradeBheeshma, and Pushpa: The Rise.

She also stars in the Hindi action drama Animal, directed by Sandeep Reddy Vanga, featuring a stellar cast including Ranbir Kapoor, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol, and Triptii Dimri. Additionally, Rashmika appeared in the action thriller Mission Majnu, directed by Shantanu Bagchi and produced by Ronnie Screwvala, Amar Butala, and Garima Mehta, alongside Sidharth Malhotra.

source: http://www.indulgexpress.com / Indulge Express / Home> Celebs / by IANS / September 13th, 2024

Theerthodbhava at Talacauvery in Kodagu district on Oct. 17

Madikeri:

The Annual Theerthodbhava at Talacauvery will occur on Oct. 17 (Thursday) at 7.40 am in the auspicious Tula Lagna as per the Hindu almanac on Tula Sankramana Day.

On this day, it is believed that Goddess Cauvery comes in the form of a fountain-head where water gushes up from Brahmakundike in front of the Kalyani at the predetermined time.

The authorities of Sri Bhagandeshwara-Talacauvery Temple have announced the date of this year’s Theerthodbhava. The temple authorities are gearing up for this important occasion.

On the occasion of Theerthodbhava, rituals such as rice being poured to ‘Pathaya’ (Tula Lagna) of Sri Bhagandeshwara Swamy Temple at Bhagamandala will be held as per tradition on Sept. 26 at 8.35 am.

Oct. 4 (10.21 am): ‘Ajna Muhurtha’ will be held at ‘Vruschika Lagna’; Oct.14 (1.35 am): Placing of ‘Akshaya Patra’ (Dhanur Lagna); 04.15 pm, offering boxes will be placed (Kumbha Lagna).

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 15th, 2024

South Asian Junior Athletic Meet: Unnathi sets new meet record in 100mts hurdles

Chennai:

Bollanda Unnathi Aiyappa set the new meet record in women’s 100 mts hurdles at the ongoing South Asian Junior Athletic Meet, here yesterday. 

She won the event with a record timing of 13.93 sec beating the old timing of 14.19 sec set by S. Kumari of Sri Lanka in 2018 at Colombo. However, this was not Unnathi’s best as she had previously completed the event with a personal best timing of 13.66 sec at an event held in Dubai earlier this year.

Unnathi is the daughter of International athletics coach B.P. Aiyappa and Olympian Pramila Aiyappa (Guddanda).

Indian athletes bagged a total of nine gold medals out of 10 in the offing with Ritik (55.64 mts, old record 54.44 mts set by Sachin in 2013 at Ranchi) and Anisha (49.91 mts, old record 48.60 mts set by A. Bajwa in 2018 at Colombo) setting new meet records in men’s and women’s discus throw.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / September 13th, 2024

South Asian Junior Athletic Meet: Double delight for Unnathi Aiyappa

City athlete Bopanna wins bronze in men’s 800 mts

Chennai:

Athlete Bollanda Unnathi Aiyappa, who had won a gold medal setting a new meet record in the South Asian Junior Athletic Meet at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, here on Thursday, won her second gold medal setting another new meet record in women’s 200 mts on last day of the Meet.

Unnathi completed the race in the record timing of 23.91sec beating the old record of 24.32 mts set by A. Suseedran at Ranchi in 2013. India’s Nancy (23.11 sec) and Neeru Pathak (29.91 sec) finished in second and third place respectively.

Speaking to Star of Mysore, Unnathi Aiyappa said, she was delighted for having won two gold medals and added that she was in the best of the form because of continuous travelling.

“After World Junior event, I was not able to give my best. I took part in the South Asian Junior Championship with no expectations. But, having won two gold medals has delighted me,” she said.

Though, this was event of the season, Unnathi will be seen in action at the All India Inter University Athletic Championship to be held in December. She is the daughter of Intl. Athletic Coach B.P. Aiyappa and Olympian G.G. Pramila Aiyappa (Guddanda), residents of Bengaluru.

Meanwhile, city’s Thelapanda K. Bopanna won bronze in the men’s 800 mts run. He won bronze with a timing of 1:50.45 sec behind Sri Lanka’s H.D.S. Awishka (1:49.83sec) and India’s Vinod Kumar (1:50.07sec) who won gold and silver respectively.

Bopanna is the son of Dentist T.M. Kalappa and Rachana Kalappa, residents of V.V. Mohalla in Mysuru.

India with a total of 48 medals (21 gold, 22 silver and 5 bronze) finished in the top position of the medals tally followed by Sri Lanka and Bangladesh in second and third positions.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / September 14th, 2024

She Quit City Life For An Organic Farm In Uttarakhand That Saves 2 Lakh Litres Of Water

Amrita Chengappa moved to a small village in Uttarakhand in 2002 in search of a simpler life. With her partner, she runs SOS Organics that sells all-natural soaps, candles, home care items, teas, seasonings and cold pressed oils, all made with indigenous produce.

To escape a hectic city life, full of woes and stress, and relocate to a quiet abode in the hills might very well be every urban dweller’s dream today. But how do you shift to an organic way of life in the hills without infringing upon the rights and agencies of the area’s original inhabitants?

Amrita Chengappa, who left behind her bustling city life in Lucknow in search of something simple, remains mindful of these questions. In 2002, she, along with her husband Santosh, moved to Chitai Pant village in Uttarakhand’s Almora district to lead a better life. “The idea was not to come to a village and turn it into an industrial area,” Amrita tells The Better India. “People come to the hills with many agendas and ideas in mind, but then they build a house on someone’s land, and the owner of the land ends up becoming a watchman for their home.” This, she says, was something that both her and Santosh wanted to avoid.

Together, the couple runs SOS Organics, launched in 2008, to integrate sustainable farming with producing a vast range of organic products, including candles, natural cosmetics, seasonings, honey, health foods, salt lamps and home care items.

All SOS Organics products are all-natural and free of chemicals (Photos: Amrita Chengappa)

‘Small is beautiful’

Amrita has always been interested in traditional knowledge including ayurveda, something she says is very prevalent in the southern region of the country, where she is from. The entire idea of SOS Organics was inspired by E F Schumacher’s Small Is Beautiful: A Study Of Economics As If People Really Mattered. “In the book, he talks about an economic system which is more decentralised and small, where people do work that they actually enjoy or can take something away from, besides only monetary benefits,” she explains.

“We wanted people to understand that you can make a viable project without actually taking from the Earth. Locals in the Kumaon region are generally only employed by the government or the army. Our idea was to do something women-centric. We were also clear that we wanted the project to be sustainable, economically or otherwise,” she adds.

It took Amrita and Santosh five years of travelling and acquainting themselves with the area before SOS organics took shape. “We did research and looked into the lives that locals were leading. Gandhi had talked about how villages should be making their own candles and other products, which I thought was a good idea to implement,” she says.

Besides lessons in a sustainable lifestyle, SOS offers breathtaking views and wholesome community living (Photos: Amrita Chengappa)

At SOS, the idea is to take as little from nature as possible. “The entire project runs only on rainwater harvesting. We don’t even have a Jal Nigam connection. We’re living in a rain shadow area that experiences a lot of water problems. Watching a local carry a 50-litre can of water so you can take a bath is an eye opening experience, and really made me think twice about my own water usage. So one of the first things we did was build water harvesting tanks, where around 2 lakh litres of water has been harvested. Around 70% of our power is solar-generated. We also aim to use whatever produce is already available here,” she says.

Going into further details about what exactly goes into SOS’s products, Amrita explains, “All the colours we use in our soaps are natural. We use the bichu buti, or stinging nettle, which gives a lovely green colour. We also use haldi, and neel patta (indigo). We use essential oils instead of fragrant oils, which have artificial smells. We make teas from tulsi, rhododendron, stinging nettle, and other herbs that are found here easily. We also use them to make Italian mixes where we take, say, junglee ajwain, to be incorporated. We wanted to use whatever was already growing here, and then look at value addition.”

“We have access to junglee apricot kernels, which we use to make cold pressed oils using our kachi ghani. The skin that’s left is powdered, dried and made into other products. So we avoid as much wastage as we can, and leave behind small footprints. You actually need very little to create a livelihood,” she says.

All products are hand-made (Photos: Amrita Chengappa)

Their candles are priced at around Rs 160, cold-pressed honey at around Rs 220, and seasonings at around Rs 140.

While COVID-19 slightly impacted their earnings last year, SOS Organics was able to generate a turnover of around Rs 1.2 crore. They receive around 25-30 orders per week. “One of the best things has been repeat customers who contribute to around 60% of our total orders,” Amrita notes.

‘Prepare yourself for what’s to come’

“Because we don’t use chemicals, the shelf-life of our products is around one year. So we can’t really get into a massive distribution model and produce a million pieces. In any case, that’s not our vision. We’re different from a big brand that just calls themselves ‘organic’,” she says.

She adds that they’ve never had a budget for marketing, and most of their popularity has spread through word-of-mouth. Most of their funding has been private. It took them around five years to break even.

To make the products, SOS has employed a small team of local women who make everything by hand. “They all live about a 5-minute walk from where they work, and do so in two shifts. They come in at 9.30 am and leave at around 1 pm. Then they come back at 2 and leave at 5,” Amrita says. The women leave before it gets dark, as they have to carry wood and water back home. In addition, the area is often frequented by leopards, so maintaining the women’s safety is a priority for SOS, she adds.

They have a separate self-help group of women that only sort their grains. Around 7 women have been employed to make the products. They’re interchangeable with their skills, Amrita says, so while she comes up with the smells and combinations, it’s the ladies who see the final product through. The village is plagued with a massive problem of alcoholism, she adds, so she ensures the money goes directly to the women’s bank accounts, instead of the hands of other family members who might misuse these earnings.

A small team of Kumaoni women have been employed to help Amrita in her business (Photos: Amrita Chengappa)

Coming to what challenges she faced in starting and running the business, she says, “People were a little suspicious when we first came here, possibly because they’ve seen their lands being exploited by urban dwellers. We were met with a bit of resistance from locals, which dissipated when they understood our intentions better. When we first came here, we also found that people were not aware of or well-connected to their roots. For example, to them, ragi used to be gareeb ka khana [food of the poor]. They were also apprehensive about anything that was ‘traditional’. We had to convince them that there was a market for the produce found in their region.”

On what advice she would give to people hoping to make an all-round lifestyle change to a more sustainable way of life, Amrita notes, “Sustainable living starts with yourself. People have this misconception that they can go to the mountains and have the same lifestyle as they did in, say, Delhi. That’s not how it works. If you want to fly first class and drive a Beemer and then come to a village to start a project — those two things don’t go hand-in-hand. You also need to know that you can’t just go into this expecting an abundance of profits. So if you’re not mentally prepared, it can be quite taxing. People looking to shift to a more sustainable lifestyle need to be open and prepared to learn a lot. When we began, we did everything by ourselves, because we couldn’t afford to hire anyone. Designing our first label, setting up our first website, the first photographs we clicked — that was all us.”

Her transition from the city to a village in the middle of nowhere, Amrita says that there were challenges but adds, “I have access to fresh air, clean water, and an uncontaminated environment. So what more could I have asked for?”

For orders, or more information on the importance of sustainability and how to lead this lifestyle yourself, you can visit SOS Organic’s website.

source: http://www.thebetterindia.com / The Better India / Home> English> Stories> Farming> Sustainablity / by Divya Sethu / edited by Yoshita Rao / April 17th, 2021

Go Mahseer fishing at this riverside homestay in Coorg

Firefly by the River is run by a pair of well-travelled, fun-loving sexagenarians who bring their taste for the slow life to this spot in the woods .

In sleepy Madalapura village of Coorg, on the banks of Harangi river, lies Firefly by the River—Nina and Captain Prio Chaubey’s labour of love. Initially, it was a single cottage with two bedrooms, a kitchen and a large verandah, enough to serve as a second home for the couple and their loved ones. The Bengaluru-based couple had found this spot when they went scouting for a place to spend their retired life. On this site by the tributary of the Kaveri, Prio and his fishing buddies would spend their weekends, patiently waiting for the elusive mahseer to come for the bait. Gradually, friends of friends and their families started calling in to check if they could come. Soon, Nina and Prio found themselves adding new rooms, and the result is now a homestay in Coorg where you can enjoy the riverside life.

A room at Firefly by the River

About the homestay in Coorg

Think waking up in a villa sitting in the middle of coffee and pepper estates, paddy fields, orchards, bamboo groves and coconut, cinnamon and betel palm trees. Named after the thousands of luminescent fireflies that are spotted in Coorg in the month of April, the property has a total of five tastefully-done double rooms designed by the hosts themselves and built using local labour. “We always wanted a space that was not glitzy or luxurious but an extension of our home and the natural surroundings. We wanted the homestay to be a reflection of our personalities. Prio, with his artistic bent, was able to quickly execute our ideas,” says Nina Chaube. The two superior and two deluxe rooms are set as two independent cottages and the garden room comes with its own private entrance. Boasting rustic design elements and warm, earthy colours, all rooms are spacious and well-appointed with luxury mattresses and super soft duvets, a writing desk and a closet made of wood. The attached bathrooms have a shower with running hot and cold water 24×7. Tea/coffee sachets, an electric kettle and mineral water are part of the basic comforts.

Sit-out areas come with a variety of comfortable seating and offer picturesque views, especially during the mornings when the sun rays filter through the trees, painting them in a golden glow. No televisions in the room ensure you spend quality time bonding with yourself and your folks. Rooms do have Wi-Fi though.

However, the hammocks placed under the trees by the riverside remain the highlight of the property. “Our vision was to help people, especially those living in cramped apartments of chaotic cities, get a taste of a home in the outdoors. Our homestay is where you feel inspired to read, paint, write, cultivate hobbies, plant a tree and appreciate farm life. You are reminded of the fact that eggs and milk come from hens and cows and not from supermarkets,” says Nina Chaube.

And, of course, there is free-flowing love and cuddles from resident dogs—Husky and Leo. They never fail to give you a warm welcome every time you’re back after a wander around Coorg.

The hosts

Well-travelled, fun-loving sexagenarians, Prio and Nina have mingled with people from different parts of the world and always have interesting tales to tell their guests. Prio, who has studied in the UK and Australia, is an ex-master mariner with the Merchant Navy. As a child, Prio spent a lot of time on his father’s farm in Hunsur, a city in the Mysore district. During his school holidays, he would often go fishing and camping with his parents. Growing up on farms, Prio has a deep love for the outdoors. He is an avid angler and bird watcher besides being a talented musician, painter and sculptor. If Prio is around during your visit to the homestay, don’t miss sitting with him around a bonfire. He will regale you with his angling stories while strumming his guitar.

Hosts Prio and Nina

Nina, who has spent over 25 years in the luxury hotel industry, is an image consultant and a soft-skills trainer. Her passions lie in travel, food, wine and people. Nina and Prio have beautifully combined their talents and exposure to offer the guests an experience to remember.

Food at Firely by the River, Coorg

At the centre of the property, there is a common area where all meals are served. Yet again, the space is elegantly designed around a well and a little waterfall. You can hear the therapeutic sound of water as you dine. Every evening, they set up a bonfire here.

Nina believes that food is a huge part of a holiday and personally looks into the daily food menu, ensuring it is customised as per the guests’ tastes and preferences. Rithvik, the property manager and a local from Coorg, loves experimenting with his grandma’s recipes, giving them his own delicious twist. His South Indian chutney, sambar and fruit custard are a favourite with the guests.

Nuputtu and vegetable stew

No two meals are identical and everything is prepared from freshest, local ingredients. Since Coorg, also known as Kodagu, has its own unique cuisine, the hosts have put ample effort into gathering recipes from the kitchens of local families. Staff hired from a nearby village cook all the food incorporating local spice mixes. Expect a home-style breakfast with South Indian delicacies like idlis and dosas, along with fresh milk, bread, fruits, juices, cornflakes and more. There is also organic honey from the region which you can take back home. Sample their melt-in-mouth Coorg-style River Pomfret, Pandi Curry (Coorg-style spicy pork curry), Akki Roti (flatbread made with rice flour, spices, herbs and vegetables), Coorgi pumpkin and vegetables, seasonal bamboo shoot curry, wild mango curry, kuru bean curry and Coorgi mutton pulao. Nool Puttu (rice noodles) with vegetable stew and kadambuttu (steamed rice balls) with chicken curry are other local specialties served here.

How to spend 48 hours at Firefly by the River, Coorg

While this homestay is the best place to master the art of doing nothing and simply revel in the beauty of the surroundings, there’s no dearth of places to visit and things to do in and around the property. Go for a walk around the property premises and look for lemon grass, exotic Thai ginger, kaffir lime trees and Australian fig trees that are thoughtfully planted by the hosts. If you’re a bird watcher, there are plenty of birds to spot in the area. A coracle ride on the Harangi river is a great way to spend a morning at the homestay. The resort staff can facilitate the same for you minus any additional charge. Offering the coracle experience to the guests is their way of supporting the local fishermen. You can tip the boatman an amount you like. The hosts are happy to help you with hyperlocal experiences like coffee plantation tours, angling trips and more. Bylakuppe in Coorg is one of the largest Tibetan settlements in India and worth a half-day tour. Spend a few minutes meditating at the stunning Namdroling Monastery, also referred to as Golden Temple, and finish with an authentic Tibetan lunch at Potala kitchen and cafe. Don’t miss taking in the bird’s eye views of Coorg’s lush green hills and forests from Raja’s Seat in Madikeri. When here, treat yourself to a sweet-spicy pineapple chaat from one of the street vendors. And then, there is always the hammock by the river to retire to.

Firefly by The River. Doubles from Rs5,000 onwards per room plus taxes (includes breakfast). Website

source: http://www.cntraveller.in / Conde Nast Traveller / Home> Hotels & Homestays / by Shikha Shah / June 20th, 2022