What is Fresh Roasted Coffee Indian Monsoon Malabar?
A coffee changed on purpose by the monsoon wind, and one of the strangest in the world.
Monsoon Malabar is a coffee from India's southwest coast that is exposed to the monsoon after it is dried, so the beans swell, pale and lose most of their acidity. Fresh Roasted roast theirs light, and the bag label reads light roast and mild bodied, with notes of baker's chocolate, creamy and musty. The description calls it unmatched in smoothness, mellow in flavour and mouthfeel, with baker's chocolate coming through and a mild, creamy finish. Its Cupping Notes say malty where the label says musty; both describe the same old-library character the process gives.
It is sold whole bean or ground in 12 oz, 2 lb and 5 lb bags, and it is one of the single origins on the Fresh Roasted Coffee roaster page.
How monsooning works
An accident of the sailing ships, now done on purpose in warehouses.
When Indian coffee went to Europe by sail, the voyage round the Cape took months, and the green beans in the hold soaked up the humid sea air. They arrived swollen and pale yellow, and Europeans found they liked the smooth, mellow cup. Faster ships ended the accident, so the effect is now made on land.
Fresh Roasted describe how. The coffee starts as Arabica cherry, India's term for dry processed coffee, and after grading it is taken to the coastal city of Mangalore. In the rainy months of June to August it is spread in large open-walled warehouses, at a set depth with good air flow, and it slowly takes up moisture from the monsoon wind. The beans change size, shape and colour, and most of the acidity goes.
Roasted to order, and dated on the bag
The strongest thing Fresh Roasted publishes is not a tasting note. It is when the coffee was roasted.
Fresh Roasted Coffee roasts each order after it is placed, on Loring Smart Roasters at its base in central Pennsylvania, then packs and nitrogen flushes the bag straight away. Its shipping policy says coffee leaves one to two days after roasting, and orders placed after noon on a Thursday are roasted on Sunday night and shipped on Monday.
The roast date is printed on a white sticker on the bottom of every bag. It is written as a Julian day, the number of the day in the year, so day 272 is the 29th of September. It takes a second to decode, and the roaster's FAQ has the chart, but it means you can see exactly how old the coffee is, which most supermarket bags will not tell you. A best before date on a supermarket bag says when the seller stops standing behind it, not when it was roasted.
Price, and what a cup costs
Among the cheapest coffees by the kilo in Fresh Roasted's range.
| Bag | Price | Per kilo | Per cup (15 g) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 340 g (12 oz) | $14.99 | $44.06 | $0.66 |
| 907 g (2 lb) | $34.99 | $38.57 | $0.58 |
| 2.27 kg (5 lb) | $59.99 | $26.45 | $0.40 |
Shipping is a flat $7.95 on orders under $50 and free above $50 once discounts are taken off, so two 2 lb bags or three 12 oz bags usually clear the threshold.
New to Fresh Roasted Coffee? Our link applies the code COFFEEGURU, which takes 20% off a first order of coffee or tea. It is for new customers only and does not apply to subscriptions.
The 5 lb bag is $5 cheaper than the other single origins in this range, and works out at about 40 cents a cup. Fresh Roasted also sell it as single-serve pods for K-Cup brewers, Nespresso Original compatible espresso capsules, and green.
Fresh Roasted vs Volcanica Monsoon Malabar
The same unusual coffee from two US roasters, at two roasts.
The Volcanica Monsoon Malabar AA Indian Coffee is an AA grade (the largest screen size), roasted medium, Rainforest Alliance and kosher certified, sold by the pound, and described with spice, earthiness, smoke, tobacco and wood. Fresh Roasted's is roasted lighter and described more gently: baker's chocolate, creamy and musty. Volcanica's is the one for a certified, smokier cup. Fresh Roasted's is the one for a roast date and a 5 lb bag.
How to brew it
Where the low acidity helps: espresso, milk and cold brew.
Monsoon Malabar has long been used in espresso blends to add body and cut acidity, and on its own it makes a heavy, mellow shot. It is also a natural for cold brew, which already mutes acidity: steep coarse ground coffee in cold water for 12 to 18 hours at about 1:8, then dilute. Our cold brew vs iced coffee guide explains the difference. For hot filter coffee, go a little stronger than usual, 1:15, since a light, mild coffee can taste thin.
Is it worth it?
Yes, if you want low acidity, or just something different.
For somebody who finds most coffee too acidic, a monsooned coffee is one of the best answers there is, and at about $26 a kilo in the big bag, with a roast date, this is a cheap way to try it. If you like bright, clean coffee, the musty note will probably put you off.
Who should buy it (and who should not)
Buy it if
- You want the lowest acidity you can find.
- You make espresso, cold brew or milk drinks.
- You want a big bag at a low price per kilo.
Skip it if
- You like bright, fruity coffee; see the Fresh Roasted Guatemala Huehuetenango.
- A musty, woody note is not for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Monsoon Malabar coffee?
Indian Arabica exposed to the monsoon wind in open warehouses at Mangalore, which swells the beans and removes most of the acidity.
What does it taste like?
The label lists baker's chocolate, creamy and musty; the page describes it as smooth and mellow.
Is Monsoon Malabar low acid?
Yes. Monsooning removes most of the acidity, which is the main reason people buy it.
Is it good for espresso?
Yes. It has long been used in espresso blends for body and low acidity.
How much does it cost?
$14.99 for 12 oz, $34.99 for 2 lb and $59.99 for 5 lb.
