Indian Robusta Coffee Beans For Sale/ Per Ton

We sell Indian Robusta coffee beans by the ton to roasters, espresso blenders, importers and wholesalers worldwide. The beans come green and graded, ready for you to roast, and they are some of the cleanest-tasting Robusta you can buy.

India is not the first country people think of for coffee, but it has grown it for centuries in the hills of the south. Almost all of it is shade-grown, under tall trees, often next to pepper, cardamom and other spices. That slower, shaded growth is a big part of why Indian Robusta coffee beans have such a good name among espresso roasters. There is plenty of background on coffee production in India if you want the history.

What makes Indian Robusta coffee beans different

Robusta, or Coffea canephora, usually has a reputation for being harsh. Indian lots break that rule. They are strong and full-bodied, but smoother than most, with notes of dark chocolate, roasted nuts, a little wood and sometimes a soft spicy edge. Acidity is low and the crema is thick and long-lasting.

That is why many Italian espresso houses have used Indian Robusta in their blends for years. It brings the body and caffeine without the rubbery taste that puts people off cheaper Robusta.

Where it is grown

Most of it comes from Karnataka, around Coorg (Kodagu), Chikmagalur and Hassan, with more from Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Farms sit at about 600 to 1,200 metres. Our standard lots are dry processed, known locally as Robusta Cherry. Washed lots, called Robusta Parchment, are cleaner and a bit brighter, and we can look for them on request.

Indian Robusta coffee beans specifications

• Species: Coffea canephora (Robusta)
• Origin: India (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu)
• Altitude: about 600 to 1,200 m above sea level
• Processing: natural / dry (Robusta Cherry), washed (Parchment) on request
• Screen size: 17/18 or 18/20
• Defects: under 5% on premium grades
• Moisture: 11% to 12.5%
• Caffeine: 2.2% to 2.7% by weight
• Cup notes: dark chocolate, roasted nuts, wood, mild spice
• Acidity: low
• Body: full and smooth
• Form: green (unroasted) beans
• Packing: 60 kg jute bags as standard, other packing on request

How roasters use it

Espresso blends. This is the main use. Mix 20% to 40% Indian Robusta coffee beans into an Arabica base for more crema, more body and a shot that holds up in a cappuccino.

Single-origin Robusta. Good washed lots are clean enough to sell on their own, which is rare for Robusta.

Instant and strong blends. High caffeine and a solid flavour make it work well in soluble coffee and bold house blends.

Try pairing it with our African Arabica coffee beans for a sweet, rounded espresso, or put it next to our Brazilian Robusta to see which body you prefer.

Roasting tips

Medium to dark is the usual choice. A medium roast keeps the chocolate and spice. Take it darker for a heavier, more classic espresso. The beans are dense and fairly uniform, so they roast evenly. Rest them a few days after roasting before you judge the shot, because the crema settles down and the flavour opens up.

Quality checks

Every lot of Indian Robusta coffee beans is checked for moisture, screen size, defects and foreign matter before shipping, and we cup samples so we know what we are sending. If you want to roast a sample first, ask for one with your quote.

Price and delivery

We sell Indian Robusta coffee beans per ton and ship worldwide, usually by sea to the port you choose. Prices follow the green coffee market, so we quote each order separately. Send your quantity, grade and port through our contact page and we will reply with a price and shipping details.

You can also look at the rest of our Robusta coffee beans, such as Ugandan Robusta, Vietnam Robusta and African Robusta, or browse all our products.

Monsooned and washed Indian Robusta coffee beans

India has a couple of special styles you will not find many other places. Monsooned Robusta is left in open warehouses on the west coast during the monsoon, where the damp sea winds make the beans swell and turn pale. It loses almost all its acidity and ends up mellow, heavy and a little spicy. Espresso roasters love it.

Washed Indian Robusta coffee beans, sold as Robusta Parchment, are cleaner and sweeter than the natural Cherry grade. The very best washed lots are among the cleanest Robustas in the world. Both styles depend on the season, so ask us what is available when you order.

Robusta and Arabica compared

New to green coffee? Here is how Indian Robusta coffee beans compare with Arabica.

Blending ideas

• Italian-style espresso: 70% Arabica and 30% Indian Robusta coffee beans, roasted dark.
• Smooth crema blend: 80/20 Arabica to Robusta, medium-dark, using a washed Parchment lot.
• Strong café blend: 50/50 with a sweet Arabica such as our African Arabica.

Because these beans are so smooth, you can push the Robusta share higher than usual before the shot turns bitter. Roast small batches and taste before you commit.

Why espresso roasters like it

Smooth taste. Shade-grown Indian Robusta coffee beans have less of the harsh, rubbery edge that cheaper Robustas can carry.

Great crema. The shot gets a thick, tight, hazelnut-coloured crema that lasts.

Even beans. Good sorting means the beans are similar in size, so they roast evenly.

Harvest and processing

The Robusta harvest in South India usually runs from about December to March. Most cherries are dried whole in the sun to make the Cherry grade. Some are pulped and washed to make Parchment. After drying, the coffee is hulled, graded by size, sorted for defects and bagged for export.

Who buys it from us

Our Indian Robusta mostly goes to espresso roasters. Some are small shops roasting a few hundred kilos a month for their own cafés, others are bigger roasters supplying restaurants and hotels. We also sell to importers who resell green coffee to smaller roasters in their own markets, and to a few instant coffee makers who want a smoother taste than standard Robusta gives them.

What they have in common is that they care about the cup. If your customers notice the difference between a harsh Robusta and a smooth one, Indian Robusta coffee beans are worth testing. Send us your monthly volume, the style you want (Cherry, Parchment or monsooned) and your delivery port. We will come back with a quote and a sample from the lot we would actually ship, so the coffee you test is the coffee you get.

Storing your coffee

Store the bags in a cool, dry place, off the floor on pallets and away from walls and sunlight. Keep them away from spices, chemicals and fuel, because green coffee soaks up smells. Humidity around 60% works well. Stored this way, green Indian Robusta coffee beans stay in good shape for up to a year.

Shipping and documents

We ship worldwide by sea container. Every shipment comes with the usual export papers: commercial invoice, packing list, bill of lading, certificate of origin and phytosanitary certificate. If your country needs anything extra, tell us when you order. Once the coffee is on its way you can follow it on our order tracking page.

What moves the price

Robusta prices follow the London futures market, which moves every day with weather, harvest reports and demand. Indian lots usually carry a premium over standard Robusta because of their clean taste, and washed or monsooned coffee costs more again. Quantity and freight are added on top. That is why we quote Indian Robusta coffee beans for each order. Tell us your budget and we will suggest the grade that fits.

New to roasting? Our step-by-step guide to roasting green coffee beans covers equipment, roast levels and profiles for every origin we sell.

Want to understand washed, natural and honey coffee? Read our guide to coffee processing methods.

Before ordering in bulk, cup a sample. Our guide to coffee cupping shows you how.

Wondering when the next fresh crop arrives? Our guide to the coffee harvest season has the timing for each origin.

Using Indian Robusta coffee beans in espresso? Our guide to coffee beans for espresso has blend ratios and roasting tips.

Wondering what Indian Robusta coffee beans cost right now? Our guide to green coffee prices explains current market levels and how we quote.

Our Indian Robusta coffee beans can be sold as a single origin. Our guide to single origin coffee beans explains how to present and sell them.

Comparing suppliers for Indian Robusta coffee beans? Our guide to choosing a green coffee supplier explains what to check before you buy.

Blending Indian Robusta coffee beans with Arabica? Our buyer’s guide to Arabica coffee beans explains origins, grades and prices.

We ship Indian Robusta coffee beans green, ready for you to roast. Our guide to unroasted coffee beans explains how to store, roast and buy them.

Common questions

What is Robusta Cherry?
It is the Indian name for natural, dry-processed Robusta, where the whole coffee cherry is dried in the sun before the bean is removed.

Are your Indian Robusta coffee beans roasted?
No. We sell green beans so you can roast them to your own profile.

Do you ship outside Asia?
Yes. We deliver to buyers all over the world.

How long do green Indian Robusta coffee beans keep?
Up to about a year in cool, dry storage away from strong smells.

What is monsooned coffee?
Coffee left in open warehouses on India’s west coast during the monsoon. The damp winds make the beans swell and lose acidity, giving a mellow, heavy cup.

Can I mix it with other Robustas?
Yes. Some roasters pair Indian Robusta with Brazilian Conilon for a smooth, chocolatey base. Roast each one separately first so you know how they behave.