Coffee Varieties in Odisha
Odisha's coffee belt in Koraput district grows a diverse range of Arabica varieties — from the widely planted S795 to the rare high-altitude SLN 9 of Pottangi. Each variety expresses the Eastern Ghats terroir differently, and processing method compounds the variation further. This guide covers every variety in the Gray Cup sourcing network.
Arabica S795
Coffee Board of India hybrid — Mysore × Hybrido de Timor lineage
S795 is the most widely planted Arabica variety in Odisha. Developed by the Coffee Board of India, it carries disease resistance from its Hybrido de Timor parent while expressing the clean, chocolate-forward cup character typical of the S-series. In Koraput, S795 produces dense, well-structured beans at mid-elevation with reliable yields.
Arabica SLN 9
Selection from the Sln (Selection) series at Balehonnur, Karnataka
SLN 9 is the high-altitude specialty variety of Odisha's coffee belt, planted primarily in the Pottangi highlands where it reaches its full aromatic potential. Slow development at elevation above 1100m concentrates sugars and intensifies floral notes, producing some of the most complex cups from Indian-origin coffee available to specialty buyers.
Chandragiri
Brazilian Catuai selection — Mundo Novo × Caturra
Catuai is a compact, high-yielding Arabica that performs particularly well under honey and natural processing in Odisha. The variety's high cherry sugar content makes it well-suited to mucilage retention drying, producing cups with pronounced sweetness and honeyed body. Annapurna Estate on the Sunabeda plateau produces some of the most refined Catuai lots in the region.
Arabica HSD (Hibrido de Timor)
Disease-resistant Arabica hybrid variety originating in Timor-Leste
HSD (Hybrido de Timor / Hibrido de Timor) is a disease-resistant Arabica hybrid variety that Gray Cup processes as specialty-grade green beans. The variety is export-grade certified from Koraput, offering importers a traceable Indian HSD with clean acidity and bright character that distinguishes it from South Indian HSD lots. Ideal for roasters seeking transparency at the variety level.
Arabica Chandragiri
Indian Arabica selection bred for disease resistance and consistent yield
Chandragiri is valued in Odisha for its robust disease resistance and consistent yield, making it a practical choice for estates expanding into coffee without specialist infrastructure. The cup quality, while less complex than S795 or SLN 9 at equivalent processing, can be elevated significantly through careful washed or pulped-natural processing — as Ekayani Plantation has demonstrated.
Quick Comparison
| Variety | Type | Elevation | Key Flavour | Best Processing | Export |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arabica S795 | Arabica | 800–1200m | Dark Chocolate, Caramel | Washed | ✓ |
| Arabica SLN 9 | Arabica | 1000–1450m | Bergamot, Jasmine | Washed | ✓ |
| Chandragiri | Arabica | 900–1200m | Golden Raisin, Honey | Honey | ✓ |
| Arabica HSD (Hibrido de Timor) | Arabica | 800–1100m | Citrus, Green Apple | Washed | ✓ |
| Arabica Chandragiri | Arabica | 850–1100m | Red Apple, Brown Sugar | Washed | — |
Want samples of specific varieties?
We can supply cupping samples of individual variety lots from Koraput.