Starbucks to sell premium Indian coffee for a limited period in the US
Arabica beans from estates in Coorg will be roasted and sold in Seattle later this year.
American coffee company Starbucks will start selling single-origin, premium coffee from Karnataka in the United States for a limited period. The step is a part of its effort to boost coffee production in India. Arabica beans from Tata's Nullore Estates in Coorg will be roasted and sold at Starbucks' Reserve Roastery and Tasting Room in Seattle later this year.
Group president for Starbucks Coffee China/Asia Pacific, John Culver, told Reuters that the company's aim is for this to be the "first step in what we hope will be many reserve coffees coming out of India." India is the world's sixth largest coffee producer and Karnataka alone accounts for more than 70% of the country's total production.
India is the fastest growing market for the American coffee chain. Starbucks in India started as a joint venture with Tata Global Beverages Limited in 2012 and now has more than 84 stores across six cities.
Starbucks has been pursuing expansion plans across the globe, reported Bloomberg. The Seattle-based company is now investing money to expand in South Africa, China and Colombia, and also is planning its first Italian location next year.