Amruthavarshini Estate
At an elevation of 3700 to 4000 MASL, Amruthavarshini Estate is a women-led coffee farm, managed by the mother-daughter duo, Poornima and Tanya Jairaj. Located in Aldur, a renowned coffee-growing area in the Western Ghats of Chikmagalur, the farm flourishes in the region’s high altitude, cool climate and fertile soil.
Poornima, a former banker and VC partner, shifted her focus from finance to education in 2004 with the goal of creating a broader impact, co-founding a boarding school. Over time, her growing connection to the land and the region’s ideal coffee-growing conditions led her to pursue coffee farming. Tanya, with her background in sustainability and social impact, ensures the farm operates with a strong commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
The estate’s name is derived from the Carnatic raga Amruthavarshini, associated with rain and nourishment. Amrutha means nectar, while Varshini refers to the rain goddess. The name reflects the life-giving rains that nourish the land, as well as the lush forest canopies, monsoon-fed streams, and ponds that sustain the farm.
For the past 10 years, Sunalini Menon, a globally respected coffee expert, has played a key role in refining the farm’s approach to quality control. Her mentorship has helped Amruthavarshini adopt precise, innovative techniques in agronomy and processing, ensuring that every batch of coffee meets the highest standards.
The women workers of Amruthavarshini—the mahilé—are essential to the farm’s success. With skill and care, they hand-pick only the ripest cherries, ensuring that only the best beans make it to your cup.