Coffee beans
Indian Arabica varieties (Kent, S795, Selection 9, Cauvery, Chandragiri)
India grows several Arabica varieties bred or selected for local conditions, including Kent, S795, Selection 9, Cauvery and Chandragiri.
- Taste Generally mild and sweet with low to medium acidity, with notes such as nuts, chocolate, spice and sometimes fruit, depending on the variety, altitude and processing.
- Grown The hills of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu, and also Andhra Pradesh, Odisha and the North East.
- Caffeine note All are Arabica varieties, so caffeine is usually about 0.8 to 1.4 percent by weight.
Written by the KAIVO team, Mumbai. Last updated 4 November 2026. Cite as: KAIVO, "Indian Arabica varieties (Kent, S795, Selection 9, Cauvery, Chandragiri)", kaivo.in/pages/beans-indian-arabica-varieties
Indian Arabica comes from a small set of varieties. Kent is one of the oldest, and S795 is a famous variety, selected by India's coffee research system, that is known for a good cup and is grown widely. Selection 9 was bred for hardiness and a good cup. Cauvery and Chandragiri are Catimor type varieties, bred to resist leaf rust, a disease that damages Arabica. Exact traits vary by farm and altitude, so use this as a guide rather than a rule.
Questions
Which Indian Arabica variety is the best?
There is no single best. S795 and Kent are often admired for cup quality, while Catimor type varieties such as Cauvery and Chandragiri are prized for being tougher. Cup quality depends as much on altitude, farming and processing as on variety.
Does KAIVO say which varieties it uses?
KAIVO names the estates, altitudes and processes of each blend on the product pages, but it does not state varieties on this site, so this guide does not either.