<p>The Bangalore-based Women’s Coffee Alliance – India (WCAI), the India chapter of International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) commenced the seventh edition of their ‘Coffee Santhe,’ a three-day event on Friday at Freedom Park. </p>.<p>The Coffee Santhe serves as WCAI’s primary fundraising event to empower women coffee plantation workers with a ‘coffee twist’ every year. </p>.<p>WCAI Secretary, Poornima Jairaj spoke about the organisation’s commitment to empowering women plantation workers. She specified how farmers are entering roasting, retail, and cafe ownership - bridging the gap from farm to cup. Home brewing is also on the rise, with consumers opting for freshly ground beans, reflecting India’s evolving coffee culture.</p>.<p>The event provided a platform for various perspectives from coffee brands, artists and enthusiasts. “Indians are ready for high-quality coffee,” said Rohan Mammen from Badra Coffee.</p>.<p>“India is known as a tea-drinking nation, but with the cafe culture coming up - as people work and meet in cafes, India is seeing development in coffee production,” he added.</p>.<p>“There is also a growing trend of traceability and sustainability, with consumers seeking about the origins of the coffee, and stories behind the production of it,” stated Mammen.</p>.<p>Harsha M from Cothas Coffee explained how they introduced varieties like cold coffee, milkshakes, vending machines and small gadgets adhering to the likes of GenZ. </p>.<p>“When we sell, our distributors are all women entrepreneurs - you won’t find us on Swiggy, Instamart, Zomato, or Zepto,” stated Madras Kaapi Club.</p>.<p>They also expressed concern over the impact of climate change on coffee production, noting, “With so much climate change happening, we don’t know if traditional coffee-growing regions will continue to yield the same produce.”</p>.<p>The highlights of the event include Women Stars Brewing Championship, Robusta Brewer Skills Championship with an international panel of judges, Cheers to Coffee and a cupping event along with entertainment, staging performances of Saroj Kashyap, Padmini Ravi, Navin DJ, Table for 4 Band, live art, coffee wordle and other games. </p>
<p>The Bangalore-based Women’s Coffee Alliance – India (WCAI), the India chapter of International Women’s Coffee Alliance (IWCA) commenced the seventh edition of their ‘Coffee Santhe,’ a three-day event on Friday at Freedom Park. </p>.<p>The Coffee Santhe serves as WCAI’s primary fundraising event to empower women coffee plantation workers with a ‘coffee twist’ every year. </p>.<p>WCAI Secretary, Poornima Jairaj spoke about the organisation’s commitment to empowering women plantation workers. She specified how farmers are entering roasting, retail, and cafe ownership - bridging the gap from farm to cup. Home brewing is also on the rise, with consumers opting for freshly ground beans, reflecting India’s evolving coffee culture.</p>.<p>The event provided a platform for various perspectives from coffee brands, artists and enthusiasts. “Indians are ready for high-quality coffee,” said Rohan Mammen from Badra Coffee.</p>.<p>“India is known as a tea-drinking nation, but with the cafe culture coming up - as people work and meet in cafes, India is seeing development in coffee production,” he added.</p>.<p>“There is also a growing trend of traceability and sustainability, with consumers seeking about the origins of the coffee, and stories behind the production of it,” stated Mammen.</p>.<p>Harsha M from Cothas Coffee explained how they introduced varieties like cold coffee, milkshakes, vending machines and small gadgets adhering to the likes of GenZ. </p>.<p>“When we sell, our distributors are all women entrepreneurs - you won’t find us on Swiggy, Instamart, Zomato, or Zepto,” stated Madras Kaapi Club.</p>.<p>They also expressed concern over the impact of climate change on coffee production, noting, “With so much climate change happening, we don’t know if traditional coffee-growing regions will continue to yield the same produce.”</p>.<p>The highlights of the event include Women Stars Brewing Championship, Robusta Brewer Skills Championship with an international panel of judges, Cheers to Coffee and a cupping event along with entertainment, staging performances of Saroj Kashyap, Padmini Ravi, Navin DJ, Table for 4 Band, live art, coffee wordle and other games. </p>