Quality report of Himali Highland coffee from the northern Himalayas of India.

For more about my visit to the specialty coffee farm Himali Group Enterprise in Kalimpong, North India, back in early December last year, please check out the link below.

After the farm tour, I heard back from the owner, Mr. Rishi. He told me that he flew all the way to Bengaluru in South India to visit the Coffee Board of India. There, he had his coffee officially evaluated—and he sent me the report.

As many of you who are familiar with coffee evaluation can probably tell just by looking at the chart, let me break down the report into words. The original report is in English, and with the help of AI, I’ve put together and translated the key points below.

Coffee Board of India Report

The evaluation of Himali Highland Coffee by the Coffee Board of India was conducted according to Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) standards, ensuring a thorough and objective analysis. The sample, identified as the Chandragiri variety, went through rigorous testing, and the results offer an insightful overview of the coffee’s characteristics.

For more on the Chandragiri variety, check out the related post.

Fragrance/Aroma: Scoring 8.00, the coffee stood out with a sweet, floral aroma reminiscent of blooming jasmine, complemented by hints of mixed berries and plum.

Flavor: Also rated at 8.00, the flavor profile presented a delightful harmony of plum, wine grapes, chocolate, and caramel.

Acidity: At 7.75, the coffee offered a bright acidity that added balance and liveliness to the overall profile.

Body: The medium-plus body scored 7.50, delivering a smooth and silky mouthfeel.

Aftertaste: With notes of grape and plum sweetness, the lingering finish was strong and pleasant, earning a 7.50.

Uniformity, Sweetness, Clean Cup: Full marks (10/10) in these categories reflect the coffee’s consistency, natural sweetness, and spotless clarity.

The final score of 84.25 firmly places Himali Highland Coffee in the specialty category—an impressive and encouraging milestone for a relatively young coffee farm.