In September 2026, 1,500 packets of Tiger Bright coffee, cultivated under the forest canopies of Koraput, Odisha, were shipped overnight to Delhi for the BRICS Summit. This event highlighted Koraput's emerging coffee brand, grown in a sustainable shade-grown system within the Eastern Ghats.
- Tiger Bright coffee is 100% Arabica, grown beneath native forest canopies.
- Koraput’s coffee journey spans nearly a century with recent growth in branding and processing.
- The BRICS Summit showcased this local product, amplifying Odisha’s agricultural identity.
What happened
In early September 2026, Koraput dispatched 1,500 packets of Tiger Bright coffee to the Indian capital to be included in the official media kits for the BRICS Summit delegates. The delivery was completed by air within 36 hours, meeting a timeline set by the Ministry of External Affairs. This order was part of Odisha’s contribution under the One District One Product initiative, spotlighting Koraput’s specialty coffee on an international platform.
This coffee, 100% Arabica, is grown across various tribal-dominated blocks of southern Odisha including Laxmipur, Kashipur, and Nandapur at elevations nearing 950 meters. The region’s coffee cultivation is distinctive because it occurs under a natural forest canopy instead of typical open plantations, preserving local biodiversity while supporting tribal farmers’ livelihoods.
Why it feels good
Koraput's coffee cultivation model is deeply rooted in ecological balance and community welfare. Unlike intensive farming, the shade-grown coffee thrives beneath mango, jackfruit, acacia, and silver oak trees, maintaining the forest’s multi-layered ecosystem. This approach supports environmental conservation alongside agricultural production, creating a sustainable livelihood for over 3,000 farmers in the area.
The movement from raw coffee cherries being sold through middlemen to establishing Koraput Coffee as a recognized brand represents a major success for local economic empowerment. Government-backed initiatives, such as the Coffee Development Trust and quality recognition from the Coffee Board, have helped create processing capabilities locally, enabling producers to gain more value and identity from their crop.
What to enjoy or watch next
With Koraput Coffee’s selection at an international summit, the brand is poised for wider domestic and global attention. Consumers can look forward to experiencing a unique coffee variety that embodies the distinct character of the Eastern Ghats’ forest landscape, enriched by generations of tribal expertise.
Future developments may include enhanced marketing efforts, expansion of processing infrastructure, and continued support for sustainable shade-grown practices. These steps will deepen the connection between the coffee’s origin and its reputation, helping Koraput become a hallmark of forest-friendly coffee production in India and beyond.