This mountain range is one of the most important biological reserves in the world – claiming a diversity in flora and fauna that is exceptionally high.
The Western Ghats is a mountain range that runs 1600 km from Gujarat in the North to Kerala in the South. There are around 5000 plant species and more than 600 types of trees. At least 325 species – plants and animals – are globally endangered. The top peak is almost 2700 m above sea level, but the importance of the mountains comes from the mid-level slopes that receive heavy monsoon rains twice a year.
Western Ghats is recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO – being seen as a unique evolutionary ecozone.
Western Ghat is older than the continents as we know them. Its geological history can be traced back to the time of the supercontinent Gondwanaland – before India broke off as a separate subcontinent.
Bean Story’s three Indian estates lie on the Eastern parts of the range – in the state of Karnataka, approx. four hours drive from Bangalore
This is the oldest of our estates – its origins can be traced back to 1830. For the last four generations, Kithawar has been under the apt care of the Jabbar family who has cared for and nurtured this diverse and beautiful estate.
Part of its attraction is the hilly environment, the contoured paths, and sideways – but most of all the sounds and smells of the forests of the Western Ghats give this estate a certain feel of adventure.
With a little luck, the visitor can see animals such as langur, wild boar, spotted dear apart from the abundance of butterflies.
All coffee here is shade-grown – with an elevation of more than 1100m the sun is hard, and trees like Rosewood, Silver Oak, Jackfruit, and Malabar Kino as well as Indian Laurel form the first and youngest second canopy.
Apart from Arabica and Robusta we also harvest Pepper, Cardamom, and Oranges. The youngest generation of plantation owners, Mr. Tanveer Jabbar, happens to be the CEO of The Bean Story, so more than anyone else he knows what he is doing.
