The State of Karnataka (Bangalore being it’s capital) is listed among the top 10 destinations in Asia, here is why, because Karnataka has the best combination of things that are of tourist interests - beaches, golfing, water sports, wildlife, bird watching, astounding architecture (most being world heritage sites), palaces, monuments, rain forests, waterfalls (tallest in Asia), hill stations, rugged hiking, hip cities, nightlife & shopping too, Karnataka has got it all!. Most of the year the climate in these destinations is mild. The western mountain ranges (also called as Western Ghats or the “Sahyadri”) run through the state stretch approx. 400 kilometers in length. This region is called ‘Malenaadu’ (meaning land of hills in language Kannada) home to tropical rain forests & semi-dry rain forests. Home to major water falls, river sources & huge variety of flora & fauna (including Orchids and Tigers). I simply cant do justice to region with my writing here (learn more - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ghats) What is the culinary connection to this region? many fruits & spices and importantly, Coffee!, yes, a well guarded secret. Karnataka grows 90% of the 250000 tons of Coffee produced in India annually. Why don’t we see a lot of Indian coffee sold in the west? 2 reasons, one, coffee has a shorter shelf life compared to tea and it is not feasible for storing and transporting (all the way to the west). Two, most of the coffee is consumed by the South Indians (that is 300 million people or more). Out of the coffee grown in Karnataka, 60% is grown in Chikmagalur district. It is paradise for sure, you will know why seeing the pictures. It is January and 6 months after the peak rainy season. It still looks very very green. Chikmagalur district is apparently also where most of my ancestors can be traced back. I have the fondest memory of spending many of my childhood summers in this district, just gazing away at the coffee plantations. My visit today included lot of scenic drive that ended in a coffee plantation at a higher altitude very close to the peak - Mullayanagiri (tallest in Karnataka at 6398 ft. This plantation has a decent size private water fall sufficient to generate enough electricity for the plantation’s consumption. The plantation visit was followed by a trip to a coffee processing factory. The evening was extremely relaxing at the Gateway Hotel in Chikmagaluru. They have the best maintained Gardens I have ever seen!.

The State of Karnataka (Bangalore being it’s capital) is listed among the top 10 destinations in Asia, here is why, because Karnataka has the best combination of things that are of tourist interests - beaches, golfing, water sports, wildlife, bird watching, astounding architecture (most being world heritage sites), palaces, monuments, rain forests, waterfalls (tallest in Asia), hill stations, rugged hiking, hip cities, nightlife & shopping too, Karnataka has got it all!. Most of the year the climate in these destinations is mild. The western mountain ranges (also called as Western Ghats or the “Sahyadri”) run through the state stretch approx. 400 kilometers in length. This region is called ‘Malenaadu’ (meaning land of hills in language Kannada) home to tropical rain forests & semi-dry rain forests. Home to major water falls, river sources & huge variety of flora & fauna (including Orchids and Tigers). I simply cant do justice to region with my writing here (learn more - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Western_Ghats)

What is the culinary connection to this region? many fruits & spices and importantly, Coffee!, yes, a well guarded secret. Karnataka grows 90% of the 250000 tons of Coffee produced in India annually. Why don’t we see a lot of Indian coffee sold in the west? 2 reasons, one, coffee has a shorter shelf life compared to tea and it is not feasible for storing and transporting (all the way to the west). Two, most of the coffee is consumed by the South Indians (that is 300 million people or more). Out of the coffee grown in Karnataka, 60% is grown in Chikmagalur district. It is paradise for sure, you will know why seeing the pictures. It is January and 6 months after the peak rainy season. It still looks very very green. Chikmagalur district is apparently also where most of my ancestors can be traced back. I have the fondest memory of spending many of my childhood summers in this district, just gazing away at the coffee plantations.

My visit today included lot of scenic drive that ended in a coffee plantation at a higher altitude very close to the peak - Mullayanagiri (tallest in Karnataka at 6398 ft. This plantation has a decent size private water fall sufficient to generate enough electricity for the plantation’s consumption. The plantation visit was followed by a trip to a coffee processing factory. The evening was extremely relaxing at the Gateway Hotel in Chikmagaluru. They have the best maintained Gardens I have ever seen!.