Malabar coffee set to get GI brand

Bangalore: A Geographic Indication (GI) mark means the reputation of the product which it derives from its from place of origin.

A few of the geographical indications that we already have include Coorg Oranges, Mysore Silk, Nanjangud bananas etc.

And there are more in the pipeline, like Dharward Pedas, Belgaum Kunda and Monsooned Coffee.

For example, the 'Monsooned Malabars' – India's first specialty coffee that has titillated taste buds across the country and caught the fancy of the Europeans.

"There are some people who have bleached their coffee and tried to juxtapose it as our Monsoon Malabar... that's why there is a need to save our product," said Coffee Board President Krishnarau.

The Coffee Board has applied for GI and expects to get the mark in about three months.

Getting a GI means, increased profits and brand building and yet, we've got only 28 GI's.

That's a number that doesn't seem to satisfy many:

• We need many more of these to save our products. We have things like Goa Feni and Kolaphuri Chappals that are world-renowned.
• We need to get a GI on Tanjore paintings and Nilgris eucalyptus. They are famous over the world and we must not allow others to make these and call it their own.

Mysore man R K Narayan had always talked of filter Kapi and how it rejuvenates the mind. And now, this Malabar drink is going places to bring fame to the region where it is brewed.

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