Will India drive the fourth wave of coffee?

Business & Economy, Coffee News, Coffee, Kodagu (Coorg)

These artisanal coffee brands are creating exciting new ways of drinking your morning java

The world has been in the throes of the third wave of coffee for a while now. Artisanal sourcing, roasting, and blending of coffee is par for the course. Terms like flavour profiles, cultivars, and tasting notes are no longer restricted to the realm of wines. So what next? 

The fourth wave is all about people—the producers and the roasters—and their experiments to create a complex coffee with layers of flavours. “We can alter the flavour or unlock new flavours by intervening at various stages in the life span of the coffee bean. This can be at the plant-level or when the coffee cherry is ready to be pulped (the process of loosening the pulp from the bean) or at the drying stage, and of course, at the roasting stage”, says Ashish D’abreo, co-founder of Bengaluru-based Maverick & Farmer Coffee Roasters.

On the occasion of International Coffee Day, we look at what’s new in the artisanal coffee space in India.

The art of fermentation

Fermentation has been a mega food trend over the past couple of years and obviously, coffee growers are experimenting with it too. While it occurs naturally, the trick lies in controlling the process and fermenting the coffee just so. “Fermentation brings out the juiciness and complexity of flavours in a coffee. We carry out anaerobic fermentation, where the coffee cherries are placed in a tank of water and we monitor the pH level and sugar content. Under-fermented coffee is just a waste of resources, while over-fermentation produces an unappetising aroma of rotting fruit, so the process has to be quite precise,” explains Rahul Reddy, founder of the Mumbai-based Subko Specialty Coffee Roasters, which offers a 30-hour fermented single-origin (Ratnagiri Estate, Karnataka) coffee with notes of maple syrup, candied pecans and apricot.

Maverick & Farmer took things to another level at their Ajjikuttira Estates in Coorg, where third-generation coffee farmer (and co-founder) Tej Thammaiah fermented the coffee beans with orange juice to create ‘Orange You Curious?’ coffee. “Yeast, bacteria, and sugars are naturally present in both the coffee pulp and orange juice, which we ferment together for 24-36 hours,” explains Thammaiah. The beans are then shade-dried for about three weeks to produce a unique coffee with refreshing citrusy notes. “The point was to unlock flavours that are normally not found in coffee. We tried this with several other ingredients; some experiments failed but some were successful; for example, we have a micro-lot of lactic acid bacteria fermented coffee called ‘Milk and Honey’ launching in October,” he adds.

No smoke without fire

At the start of the drying stage, when the pulp has been stripped off, the tender green bean is porous and ready to imbibe any flavours or influences that it is exposed to. “A smoky note is a desirable flavour in coffee, but until now most of it came from really dark roasting coffee. While it’s enjoyable, you also get a lot of burnt flavour and the natural, delicate sweetness of coffee is completely lost. Our challenge was to bring in the smokiness without dark-roasting,” explains D’abreo. This resulted in “Ol’ Smoky” where the coffee beans are smoked with leaves and wood from fruit trees in a closed room for 13-14 hours. The source of the fire is not in the same room; rather the smoke is let in through a hole. “This introduces a nice smokiness to the coffee while leaving the natural sweetness and notes of Arabica intact. Ol’ Smoky is possibly the world’s first cold-smoked coffee and we are happy that we have been able to create something innovative”, adds D’abreo.

As the coffee beans dry further, roasters are experimenting with introducing new flavours—a favourite method is to ‘age’ the beans in whisky barrels to imbibe flavours such as oak, caramel, and vanilla. Mumbai-based Dope Coffee Roasters  offers Double-Barrel Blend, a limited edition coffee from Harley Estate (Karnataka) that is aged in Amrut whisky barrels, producing a complex cuppa with a smooth, sweet finish. “Once the coffee is processed at the farm, we age it in the barrel for about a month. Since coffee green beans are so sensitive, they take on the malty, smoky aromas from the barrel. Unlike most artisanal coffee, this is 100 per cent Robusta, which we believe is India’s specialty and we are happy to see customers accepting it. We will shortly launch this as a cold brew as well,” says Rizwan Amlani, CEO and co-founder of Dope Coffee Roasters. Subko offers an interesting variant of this by cask-ageing cascara (skin of the coffee cherry) for 10 days, which is then cold-brewed for 16 hours and served with tonic water and jaggery.

Considering India’s status as prime coffee-growing country, there’s plenty of room for experiments at every stage of the coffee life cycle. “We have lived through the third wave and it’s time to take things forward. Our customers want to experiment; they are no longer fixated on one brand or blend and are excited to try new flavours. So our challenge is to see what else we can do to develop new tasting notes in coffee”, says D’abreo. The fourth wave is here to stay and Indian artisanal coffee brands are at the forefront of innovation. That’s sweet news for the coffee connoisseur.

source: http://www.vogue.in / Vogue / Home> Culture & Living / by Prachi Joshi / October 01st, 2020

Rashmika Mandanna turning busy with ‘Mega’ projects

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg

Young Kannada beauty Rashmika Mandanna is in fine form as her previous two films Sarileru Neekevvaru and Bheeshma minted big bucks at the box office. Consequently, she is bagging big offers in Tollywood and she will next be seen in Allu Arjun’s ‘Pushpa’.

Interestingly, Rashmika is in pole position to sign for Acharya as well. The makers have reportedly arranged a look test featuring Ram Charan and Rashmika Mandanna early next month. They will be taking the final call on whether to bring her on board or not based on the output. She is consideration for Ram Charan’s love interest role in the film.

If Rashmika bags Acharya offer, she will be turning super busy with two projects starring mega heroes. These films could well provide Rashmika with the ticket to the elite league of actresses and she would be hoping to make the most of it.

Rashmika is already in Hyderabad and she is raring to get back to sets. Both Acharya and Pushpa will be hitting the floors very soon and the young actress is likely to work on them simultaneously if things fall into place.

source: http://www.telugubulletin.com / Telugu Bullettin / Home> Movie News / by TB Cinema / Hyderabad – September 26th, 2020

Works On Kodava Heritage Centre To Be Completed In 10 Months, Says Minister

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Historical Links / Pre-Independence, Records, All

Bengaluru:

Tourism Minister C.T. Ravi said that the works on ‘Kodava Heritage Centre’ at Vidyanagar near Madikeri, the district headquarters of Kodagu, will be completed in ten months. The project was envisaged by the Government in 2004-05 for introducing the unique Ainmane tradition of Kodavas with a museum.

The Kodava Heritage Centre Project features an Ainmane, a Hall, a small indoor water pond, an open auditorium, a library, a museum and drinking water facility. The Project is coming up on a 4-acre land at Karavale Badaga village close to Vidyanagar on the outskirts of Madikeri City, near Mahindra Holiday Resort.

Replying to a question by Congress MLC Veena Achaiah in the Legislative Council yesterday on why the project was lying in limbo for long, Ravi assured that all the works on the Heritage Centre will be completed in ten months. Attributing the delay to the lethargic attitude of implementing agencies, change in structure design and multiple revision of estimate, Ravi said that part of the works have been completed and the rest will be completed at a cost of Rs.97 lakh. The contractor has been asked to finish the works in ten months, he added.

Continuing, Ravi said that the Union Tourism Ministry sanctioned Kodava Heritage Centre in 2004-05, with the project estimated to cost Rs. 88.75 lakh then, following which Rs. 33.54 lakh was released to Jungle Lodges and Resorts, the implementing agency. But the project did not take off and subsequently it was decided to execute the works through the district administration at a cost of Rs.1.45 crore. After administrative approval on Aug.18, 2010, the contract was awarded  on Sept.12, 2010 to M.B. Hemashankar of Mysuru, who was asked to finish the works in a year, the Minister said.

Though the project took off, only the walls of the structure came up, amid complaints of poor quality work and improper planning and architecture.

Ravi said that due to doubts about the stability of the structure’s foundation, the Government was sought a redesign of the project  in 2011. On account of the changed design, the project estimate was revised to Rs.2.68 crore, which was approved by the Government on April 26, 2012. The contractor who resumed the works based on the revised estimate went slow, following which the contractor was served notice a number of times asking him to expedite the project. But as the works were not finished, the contract was terminated on Nov.27, 2018. By the time the contract was terminated, the contractor who was paid Rs.1.68 crore by then, had partially constructed the retaining wall and  tiled-roof (Mangaluru tiles). Later, the PWD Chief Engineer  submitted a revised estimate of Rs. 3,30,45,110, which received administrative approval on May 27, 2020. The PWD has now been directed to complete the works in ten months, Ravi explained.

The  cost of the Project which was first planned in 2004-05  has gone up from Rs. 88.75 lakh to Rs.3.30 crore in the 15-year period and the people of Kodagu are hoping that the Project will be wholly executed soon and the Heritage Centre becomes a major tourist attraction.

It may be mentioned here that Kodagu Deputy Commissioner Annies  Kanmani Joy, who is also the District Tourism Development Committee Chairperson, surprised and upset over the undue delay in the execution of the project, held a meeting on Sept. 6, 2020, during which she ordered the officials to expedite the project. 

Later Tourism Minister C.T. Ravi held a meeting with officials on  Sept.11, when the Minister was shocked to learn that an important tourism project like Kodava Heritage Centre was lying in limbo for the past several years.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 27th, 2020

International Hockey Player Uthappa Ties Knot

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

International hockey player Sannuvanda K. Uthappa, son of Sannuvanda Vasanth Kushalappa and Niraj of Devarapura, tied the nuptial knot with Sanjana, daughter of Puttichanda Uthappa and Leela of Bollarimad, at The Yellow Bamboo Resort in Balaji, South Kodagu, yesterday.

Only family members of the couple and close relatives were part of the simple ceremony (Dampathi Muhurtha) held last evening.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / September 28th, 2020

Appointed As Mysore University Syndicate Member

Agriculture, Business & Economy, Green Initiatives / Environment, Records, All, Science & Technology, World Opinion

Mysore/Mysuru:

Dr. Chaitra Narayan, an entrepreneur, has been appointed as the Syndicate Member of University of Mysore. 

As per the notification issued from the Office of the Governor, the term of office shall be for a period of three years with effect from Sept. 22, 2020. 

Dr. Chaitra, Founder of Codagu Agritech and Shivam Distillations, holds a Ph.D and MSc in Microbiology from the University of Mysore. 

She was selected by Rashtrapathi Bhavan, New Delhi, for the Festival of Innovation and Entrepreneurship in 2018 to present her ideas before President Ram Nath Kovind. She also presented the Biocapsule technology, which is a ‘Make in India’ initiative before Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

Currently working for the farmers of Kodagu, Hunsur and Periyapatna regions since 2016 towards alternative farming which involves cultivation of medicinal and aromatic plants, it has successfully led to an increase in revenue generation of farmers along with an assured buy-back market. 

Codagu Agritech is a Biocapsule Manufacturing Company which helps farmers go for safe and sustainable farming while Shivam Distillations focuses on providing farmers of Hunsur and Periyapatna regions to cultivate aromatic crops as an alternative to tobacco cultivation.

An aromatic plant processing and distillation unit has been set up in the region to provide the farmers with the market at their doorstep.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 29th, 2020

Karnataka woman kindles Kashmiri girls’ football dreams

Inspiration / Positive News and Features, Records, All, Sports
Poonam Chattoo with her husband and Real Kashmir owner Sandeep Chattoo.

Over the past couple of seasons, Real Kashmir FC have been a beacon of joy for the people in India’s northernmost union territory.

A club that beat many odds to gain promotion to the I-League, mounted a title charge against all expectations in its first season in top-flight football and overcame the challenges posed by lockdown to achieve higher standards.

The men’s team has brought smiles to their people. And now it’s the women’s turn. At the helm is Poonam Chattoo, a Karnataka native who made Kashmir her home after her marriage to RKFC owner Sandeep Chattoo three decades ago.

“My parents are coffee planters settled in Kodagu after my father retired from the Food Corporation of India. It’s been a long journey from Kodagu to Kashmir, both diverse culturally, geographically and climatically, but I am grateful for the love and affection I have received,” Poonam, who gradutated from Bengaluru after schooling in Chandigarh, tells DH.

The women’s team has been in the making for a long time and the response has been overwhelming, according to Poonam, a teacher.

The requests flooded in from girls after RKFC made a name in the I-League but with so much unpredictability, they started in a small way with a She Power Programme with DPS, Srinagar. Now, the club has taken the plunge by starting registrations for building U-10 and U-14 teams. A training ground also has been identified and plans are being made to ensure they take part in national tournaments.

“(Coming from Karnataka) Sports is definitely in our blood. That mindset has helped me see things differently. All that these young girls need is just an avenue for their talents to bloom,” says Poonam.

“The past year has been dark but then the last couple of decades have not been easy either. Sport has always provided psychological, physiological and cathartic relief and I have always felt that the women have borne the bigger brunt of the circumstances. The girls just did not have an outlet.”

In her quest for understanding the difficulties, she had chats with Afshan Ashiq — captain of Kashmir football team and part of the recent virtual meeting with PM Narendra Modi for the Fit India Movement — about the trials and tribulations she faced and continues to face. Poonam also spoke to Irtiqa Ayoub who runs a rugby team in Kashmir.

“God willing, if we are able to bring hope to even a handful of young girls, I would consider it a blessing,” Poonam admits. 

There are big challenges ahead, though, especially for someone as inexperienced as Poonam in the labyrinth that is Indian football.  

“Yes, I have no experience of managing a football team, but having been a teacher it shouldn’t be a problem, plus we have very able coaches and a support team. And of course, we have a big brother in RKFC who we can always call for support.

“One doesn’t stop living….we just find different ways to go about our business,” she says.

Well, few are as adept at doing that at that as RKFC. 

source: http://www.deccanherald.com / Deccan Herald / Home> Sports> Football / by Sandeep Menon / DHNS, Bengaluru / September 29th, 2020

Cauvery Nisargadhama Near Kushalnagar Witnesses Spurt In Tourist Footfalls

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Business & Economy

Kushalnagar:

With the Government opening up the tourism sector following  phased  COVID-19 induced lockdown relaxations, Cauvery Nisargadhama, a prominent tourist destination near Kushalnagar in Kodagu, is witnessing a spurt in the number of tourists in recent days.

Yesterday, being a Sunday, the tourist spot recorded as many as 600 visitors and this number is significantly more when compared to last week. 

Overall, the district recorded more number of visitors, thus bringing some hope for those dependent  on the tourism industry. However, at the same time, tourists are disappointed that other most visited tourist  spots such as Dubare Elephant Camp and the Golden Temple at Bylakuppe have not re-opened for tourists despite lockdown relaxations.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> News / September 28th, 2020

Gulshan Devaiah, Sagarika Ghatge’s ‘Footfairy’ about a killer’s foot fetish

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg
Gulshan Devaiah, Sagarika Ghatge's 'Footfairy' about a killer's foot fetish

Mumbai :

Gulshan Devaiah and Sagarika Ghatge star in the upcoming mystery drama Footfairy, and the trailer of the film promises murder, brutal thrills and psychotic obsession.

“The narrative takes the viewer on a journey to experience how an obsession can make one cross the line, just to get a sense of satisfaction. The movie’s take of psychotic obsession leading to crime is exciting,” Devaiah said.

Directed by the Kanishk Varma the film revolves around Vivaan Deshmukh, a CBI officer and his lady love, Devika. Vivaan sets out in pursuit of a serial killer who strikes and kills women driven by an absurd obsession for feet.

The &pictures original film is all set to hit television screens on October 24.

Source: IANS

Rohan Bopanna, 40, on how he and Denis Shapovalov, 21, started doubles partnership

Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Sports, World Opinion

Indian doubles star Rohan Bopanna, 40, was desperate for a partner at the Indian Wells Masters last year, and when he saw that Denis Shapovalov was available to play, he hit him up. Bopanna, a 19-time doubles champion, was positively surprised by the quick response from rising Canadian star Shapovalov, who accepted to play.

Since then, Bopanna and 21-year-old Shapovalov have played together at 14 more events. Shapovalov, who is enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 10, is focused on his singled career but he occasionally plays doubles with Bopanna since the two have a good connection.

“My partnership with Denis is truly unique, given he is almost 20 years younger than me(laughs),” Bopanna told the Indian Tennis Daily. “It all started at Indian Wells last year when I was looking for a partner and you need to combine rankings to get into the doubles draw.

All the doubles specialists already had partners so I was checking on as to which singles players I can play with. I saw Denis’ name and decided to send him a text. And Indian Wells is an event where all singles players end up playing doubles as well.

So it was nice of him to say yes. Right away, from the first match, we enjoyed the camaraderie between us. “I think I bring in special experience into the doubles format. And his super-fast speed, power and flamboyance, helped my game tremendously as well.

So that combination worked for us. Slowly, we started committing to more events – be it 250, 500 or Grand Slams. Slowly, we started to enjoy each other’s company, and I got to know him a lot better. He’s a fantastic guy and he’s doing so much for tennis.

It has transformed into an honest friendship and as long as we enjoy playing together, that is what gives us success at the end of the day.

source: http://www.tennisworld.org / Tennis World / Home> Tennis News> Tennis Interviews / by Dzevad Mesic / September 29th, 2020

Olympian S.K. Uthappa Engaged

Arts, Culture & Entertainment, Famous Personalities of Kodagu / Coorg, Records, All, Sports

Wedding this evening at Kodagu Resort (27th)

Olympian S.K. Uthappa engaged

Gonikoppa:

Olympian Sannuvanda Kushalappa (S.K.) Uthappa got engaged to Puttichanda Sanjana at Yellow Bamboo Resort in Balaji village, South Kodagu, yesterday. Only family members of the couple and close relatives were part of the simple engagement ceremony and the marriage (Dampathi Muhurtha) will be held this evening.

Daughter of Puttichanda Uthappa and Leela couple of Bollarimad village, Sanjana is working at a private firm in Bengaluru.

S.K. Uthappa’s father Sannuvanda Kushalappa of Devarapura village, mother Niraj, brother Chinnappa and his wife were present during the engagement.

Uthappa made his international debut in hockey against South Africa in 2012 and scored a total of three goals in the five-match series. He was then picked to play at the 2012 Olympics Qualification Tournament where he exhibited good game.

Uthappa captained the side for the first time at the 2016 Asian Champions Trophy in Malaysia, in a league game against Pakistan, in the process of rotation of captaincy the team followed after the 2016 Rio Olympics. His side won the game 3-2.

An Ekalavya Awardee, he has played a  total of 164 international tournaments.

source: http://www.starofmysore.com / Star of Mysore / Home> Sports / September 27th, 2020