WHERE IN INDIAN HAS GASTRONOMIC TOURISM AFFECTED REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT. COFFEE FROM COORG The capital of Coorg, Madikeri or Mercara, is a stunning, sizable hill town located in the Western Ghats. The elevation of this hill station is 1452 meters. This location is a haven for nature enthusiasts thanks to its verdant wooded slopes, vibrant scenery, misty mountains, flowing cascades, lush tropical forest, and tea, coffee, and spice farms. Coorg is well renowned for its coffee, and a lot of food trips are centered on coffee plantations and the growing and processing of coffee. In Coorg, tourism is mostly dependent on coffee, which has aided in promoting both local tourism and regional development.

HISTORY India also has a little-known coffee history that has blossomed into a flourishing industry in recent years.History tells it that in 1670, a Muslim pilgrim named Baba Budan snuck seven coffee beans in his beard aboard a ship to India. Upon arrival, he planted these beans in the Chikmagalur region near Coorg in Karnataka. At this time, it was illegal to transport green coffee beans outside of Yemen, and the ports were strictly monitored in an effort to maintain a monopoly on local coffee production and trade.Baba Budan was not only successful at sneaking them out of Yemen but also successfully planted them in Chandragiri Hills. Legend has it that the Baba had his friends carry the beans with them and plant them wherever they went, mostly in gardens and backyards. Coffee production prospered in Chandragiri Hills over the next century. However, the bean didn’t spread throughout other parts of India until the 19th century, when coffee started being exported for trade. Coffee now flourishes in Karnataka, where the slopes of the Western Ghats are brought to life with the fresh aromas of arabica and robusta plants.Coorg grows 40 percent of India’s coffee, and the local economy relies heavily on it. The majority of the uninhabited land is cultivated coffee farms, many of them still owned by families as they were when coffee estates first emerged in the mid-19th century.The first coffee estate was established in Coorg in 1854 by an Englishman named John Fowler. Soon, almost every family in Coorg began to grow the infamous bean that energizes people across the globe. This tradition has been carried through generations to present day, perhaps contributing to the nickname Coorg has acquired of being “the coffee cup of India.”

GROWTH IN AGRI - TOURISM DUE TO COFFEE PLANTATIONS Agri-Tourism can be defined as ' range of activities, services and amenities provided by farmers and rural people to attract tourists to their area in order to generate extra income for their businesses .It is a kind of tourism that benefits rural heritage and attracts visitors. It has become a new aspect for prospective revenue generation and creating job opportunities. Agri-Tourism is an environmentally and socially responsible form of tourism. AgriTourism activities typically include farm stays, agri education, harvesting activities, entertainment activities, rural sports, on-farm direct sales etc.Agri-Tourism is becoming an excellent alternative business for farmers providing a fresh and live experience of different farm activities in an agricultural background. Kodagu has the largest coffee production in Karnataka and has become a great contributor in generating revenue for the country. Kodagu has beautiful misty hills, coffee plantations, orange groves, forest cover and also paddy fields.It has all these resources which helps the localites to earn a living .

COFFEE PLANTATIONS IN COORG There are numerous coffee plantations in Coorg. This region has acquired worldwide fame for its coffee plantations. There are government owned and private coffee plantations here. When you visit a plantation, you can join hands with expert coffee pickers. They entertain you with never-heard-before information on the techniques of coffee picking. Most harvesting activities are manual in these coffee plantations and only rarely are machines used. The tour of these plantations is what provides Coorg with 80% of its tourism. It is a great experience for a gastronomic tour has it shows 1. Palace Estate

The "Thadiyandamol" peak, which is 5,700 feet above sea level and is tucked away in the Western Ghats' foothills, is home to the Place Estate. One may not only appreciate the coffee farms from this homestay, but also take a quick stroll along the paths that wind through them. When you stay here, you may see the pathways through the various types of coffee plantations. Make sure to explore the bounties and enjoy Coorg's hot, blazing coffee! Location: Yevakapadi, Karnataka 571214 Timings: 24 hours open Price: Starting from INR 4,800 per person

2. Lakshmi Organic Coffee Plantations

The Lakshmi Organic Coffee Plantations, one of the best in the area, has succeeded in developing a true Organic Vegi Garden. Here, you can take a tour of everything from the medicinal plants to the coffee estates' thick green cloaks.This is the perfect location for you if you're seeking for a break from your routine. Here, you may learn about the coffee harvesting process and sample some organic leaves. Here, plants are produced to treat a wide range of ailments, including diabetes, arthritis pain, reducing fever, colds and the flu, indigestion, and gastric bloating in the stomach. Location: Laxmi Coffee Estate, Aarji Hills, Perumbadi, Virajpet - Coorg, Karnataka 571218 Timings: 24 hours open Price: Tour starting from INR 100 per person.

3. Karagunda Coffee Plantation, Coorg

The Karagunda Coffee Plantation offers tours of the plantation's pathways as well as the opportunity to breathe in the fresh coffee aroma. It is notable for growing arabica coffee beans and is about 3,400 feet above sea level.Once the coffee berry is ready, the natives hand-pick all of the beans. One must not pass up the opportunity to explore the coffee plantations since the presentations they offer are simply out of this world.

Location: Madikeri -Taal Kaveri Road, Madikeri, Karnataka 571214 Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm Price: Tour costs INR 200 per person.

4. Thaneerhulla Cottage Room, Plantation Trails By Tata Coffee

The Thaneerhulla Cottage, which is located amid the serene coffee fields, is one of the best places to see nature at its finest. It is located next to the robusta and arabica bean farms operated by Tata Coffee, or Plantation Trails. The arabica beans are short shrubs, whereas the robusta beans are tall and visible from every angle. This is one of the most beautiful locations where you may explore coffee farms and stay amidst them if you're searching for a tranquil vacation. Location: Pollibetta Rd, Pollibetta, Karnataka 571215 Timings: 24 hours open Price: Stay starting from INR 4000 per night.

5. Farm House Coffee Estate - Coorg

Enjoy the well kept groves of Sakleshpur's coffee estates. The ideal approach to discover the spectacular coffee paths is to remain nearby so that you can both walk by and gawk at them in the early morning.The pathways are all well-maintained, and visitors may learn about the procedure from coffee bean picking through harvesting. The entire area is diverse and a haven for those who love the outdoors. Therefore, if you want to retreat into nature, this is the perfect location for you.

Location: 1/80/11, Mahadevpet, Near market, Madikeri, Madikeri, Karnataka 571201 Timings: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm Price: Tour starting from INR 200.

BEST PLACES TO FIND COFFEE IN COORG 1. Ganesh Coffee - Madikeri This store established in 1965 boasts of selling some of the finest coffee in all of Madikeri. You can watch the coffee grinding process live while waiting to buy your personal supply of Coorgi coffee in the small coffee scented room. Choose from their special chicory 'n' coffee blends or get a bulkload of Robusta coffee to last you until you plan another trip to stock up. Address Caveri Group, Nethravati Complex Near Pvt. Bus Stand, Main Rd, Madikeri, Karnataka 571201, India Contact +91 96111 09333

2. Thaneerhulla Cottage Room, Plantation Trails By Tata Coffee The Tata Corporation ‘Bean To Cup’ program acquaints curious customers with the process of what all goes into making their morning mug of coffee so special. The interactive tour around their plantation and coffee tasting session at the Plantation Trails helps potential customers understand the difference between Arabica and Robusta coffee, and make nuanced choices about the coffee they would like to buy from the estate. Address: Pollibetta Rd, Pollibetta, Karnataka 571215•080 2357 0761

Group members 1. Atharv 2. Jazlaan 3. Ayesha 4. Myrun 5. Declan 6. Raashi