Coffee from India’s North East is more than a crop — it’s a comeback story. Once known for its tea, the region is now brewing a bold new identity through coffee. In 2023–24, India ranked 7th among global coffee producers, exporting coffee worth US$ 1.29 billion. While the southern states dominate, the North East — Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Meghalaya, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura — is emerging as India’s most promising coffee frontier.
From Hills to Harvest
Over 5,600 hectares of land in the North East now grow coffee, primarily Arabica, under lush forest canopies. Nearly 1,550 hectares are already producing beans. Nagaland alone plans to expand to 30,000 hectares by 2030, supported by the Coffee Board of India and local missions. Coffee here is grown by small tribal farmers who blend ancestral wisdom with sustainable farming. No chemicals, no monocropping — just shade, rain, and resilience.
What Makes NE Coffee Unique
Coffee from the North East has a soul of its own.
- Altitude: 800–1,500 m — the perfect range for slow ripening.
- Varieties: Arabica Typica, S795, Catimor — known for smooth acidity.
- Flavour Profile: Expect notes of citrus, wild herbs, cacao, and forest honey.
- Processing: Mostly natural and honey-processed, enhancing sweetness and aroma.
Each bean carries the imprint of biodiversity — wild, clean, and full of character.
For specialty coffee lovers, it’s an undiscovered gem waiting to shine.
The Changing Narrative
Once confined to backyard farms, coffee in the North East is now entering global markets.
Farmers are being trained in cupping, processing, and marketing. Cafés in Shillong, Guwahati, and Kohima proudly serve locally roasted, single-origin beans. Although NE contributes under 0.05% of India’s total output, its coffee is commanding premium prices in niche markets for its traceability and unique terroir. In competitions, beans from Meghalaya and Nagaland have earned global praise for balance and aroma. This is not a story of quantity — it’s a story of quality, authenticity, and revival.
Top Coffee Brands from the North East
Here are five trailblazing brands that are redefining coffee from India’s North East:
- Naga Coffee (Nagaland): Supported by the Land Resources Department, Naga Coffee exports premium Arabica beans to Europe and South Korea.
- Zizira (Meghalaya): Known for its traceable, wild-grown Arabica from Shillong’s highlands, Zizira connects small farmers to conscious consumers.
- Smokey Falls (Meghalaya): A micro-roastery and café initiative that curates regional beans and promotes direct-trade relationships with farmers.
- Donyi Polo Coffee (Arunachal Pradesh): A rising name known for ethical sourcing and solar-dried coffee beans, emphasizing indigenous community participation.
These brands prove that the North East isn’t behind — it’s just beginning to tell its story.
A Future Brewing in the Hills
The North East isn’t competing with the South — it’s complementing India’s coffee story with authenticity, diversity, and hope. As climate change reshapes agriculture, these highlands could become India’s next coffee powerhouse.The story is no longer untold — it’s unfolding. And for every coffee lover seeking meaning in a cup, the North East offers more than caffeine — it offers culture, courage, and a cause.
Can coffee rewrite the North East’s story? Share in the comment section below!
