Profile Overview
Nestled in Sakleshpur, the Salawara Estate is spread across 800 acres of lush green foothills. The reins of the estate are in the hands of brothers Eshwar YK and Sharan YK who are committed to producing and offering exceptional specialty coffee in the estate.
At the foothills of the Western Ghats, between Belur and Sakhleshpur, lies Salawara Estate—a place where coffee is not just grown, but expertly crafted. Spanning 800 acres of rolling hills, this lush paradise has symbolised agricultural excellence and resilience since its founding in 1880, blending tradition with innovation in every cup.
For me, it was always about quality over quantity. I didn’t want to just be another coffee brand—I wanted to create something that people would remember.
- Sharan YK
Today, brothers Eshwar and Sharan YK are holding the reins of the estate as its third-generation co-owners.
In the 1960s, Eshwar and Sharan’s grandfather purchased the Salawara Estate through an auction, using money he had saved from cultivating paddy. Leadership of the estate was then passed down to his son, Y. N. Krishna Kumar, who is Eshwar and Sharan’s father.
Eshwar and Sharan took different paths before assuming responsibility for the estate after their father. Eshwar, who has always been fascinated by coffee, earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in agribusiness and returned to the estate a few years ago. In contrast, Sharan's journey was more complex. After studying management in London, he worked in Dubai and Bangalore before ultimately returning to his roots.
Listen to Eshwar talk about Salawara Estate's USP
Nature’s Canvas: The Landscape of Salawara
At an elevation of 3,130 feet, Salawara Estate sprawls across rolling hills, its coffee plants seamlessly intertwined with pepper vines, cardamom bushes, and fruit-laden trees. The estate is surrounded by dense forests alive with wonder, where the melodious calls of birds echo through the serene mornings, and vibrant flora thrives in perfect harmony with the landscape. This thriving ecosystem doesn’t just coexist with the coffee; it enhances it, lending complexity and depth to the beans grown there. The estate’s misty mornings, fertile soil, and temperate climate combine to create the ideal environment for coffee cultivation.
Guided by this deep bond with the land and a commitment to high standards, Salawara Estate has transformed from its modest beginnings into a well-structured operation.
Coffee saplings in the nursery at Salawara Estate
A Legacy of Innovation and Craftsmanship
Salawara Estate is known for producing both Arabica and Robusta beans with a focus on precision and quality. At the heart of its success lies the use of advanced processing techniques designed to highlight its coffee's natural depth and complexity.
One of the estate's hallmark methods is washed fermentation—a meticulous process that preserves the beans’ intrinsic flavours. This process involves pulping the coffee cherries, fermenting them with the mucilage, and double-washing them to retain complex flavours while ensuring consistency. Such precision and care at every step make Salawara a top contender in the competitive world of speciality coffee.
In addition to its coffee cultivation, Salawara Estate has seamlessly integrated pepper farming, cultivating over 14 varieties alongside its coffee crops. The pepper plants thrive in the same fertile soil and shaded environment, benefiting from the same conditions supporting coffee. This diversification enhances the estate’s resilience to agricultural uncertainties.
Salawara ensures the preservation of the finest Arabica and Robusta varietals by carefully selecting seeds for genetic purity in their nursery. This approach supports the estate's diverse crops and also strengthens its commitment to producing exceptional coffee year after year.
Coffee drying beds at Salawara Estate
At the core of Salawara Estate lies a commitment to producing coffee of exceptional quality.
The estate’s connection to coffee lovers is brought to life through Ground Up Ventures, the retail brand founded by Sharan. This brand bridges the gap between farm and cup, delivering the estate’s legacy of quality directly to consumers.
Ground Up Ventures specialises in crafting versatile coffee blends designed to satisfy a wide range of preferences, allowing coffee enthusiasts to experience the estate’s dedication to quality, from farm to cup. It is a key player in the speciality coffee market, providing a direct link between Salawara Estate and discerning coffee lovers across India.
“For me, it [Ground Up] was always about quality over quantity,” Sharan says. “I didn’t want to just be another coffee brand—I wanted to create something that people would remember.”
Eshwar's brother Sharan brings Salawara estate's coffee closer to Bengaluru with GroundUp Coffee
A barista brewing magic at GroundUp Coffee shop
Looking towards the Future
Salawara Estate remains deeply committed to producing premium coffee and pepper of exceptional quality by striking a balance between traditional farming practices and modern agricultural innovations. While staying true to its rich heritage, the estate embraces forward-thinking approaches to enhance efficiency, meet emerging challenges, and adapt to the ever-changing world of agriculture.
Follow
us on
