Profile Overview
Thogarihunkal Estate is located in Chikmagalur, Karnataka. It is managed by the Gowda family who has been in coffee business since 1857. Nandan Gowda represents the seventh generation of the family who has transformed Thogarihunkal from a family business to a premium brand in India's specialty coffee scene.
Nestled in the scenic hills of Chikmagalur, Karnataka, Thogarihunkal Estate is a testament to India’s coffee heritage. The story of this estate is deeply intertwined with the history, community and tradition of Thogarihunkal, the village it is named after. With its ideal climate and lush landscapes, the estate has cultivated coffee for over a century. Today, it produces premium-quality coffee, under the care of Nandan Gowda, an eighth-generation coffee planter, and his family.
The estate is located at an elevation of 1,350 meters above sea level and has established separate blocks for Arabica and Robusta coffee. Within the Arabica section, the estate grows specific varietals, including Chandragiri, Selection 795, and micro-lots of Selections 5 and 7.
We complement each other: while my father and uncle focus on what they do best—growing coffee—I can concentrate on building the brand.
- Nandan Gowda
The story of Thogarihunkal Estate began in 1857 when Nandan’s great-great-grandfather settled on this land, located about 15-20 kilometres from his hometown. The estate initially had no formal boundaries and was deeply integrated with the local community. It hosted the village's post office, hospital, and school, making it the heart of daily life in Thogarihunkal. The estate and the town soon became synonymous with one another. Over time, these establishments moved out of the estate a few kilometres away, but the name "Thogarihunkal" has endured ever since.
Listen to Nandan Gowda reveal what "Thogarihunkal" means
What started as a modest 50-60 acre farm grew steadily under the care and vision of successive generations. Nandan’s great-grandfather, TB Male Gowda, played a key role in expanding the estate to over 200 acres, and it continues to develop today.
Initially, paddy was the estate's main crop grown in the fertile fields below the hills. However, recognising that the soil and temperature were ideal for coffee, much of the paddy land was converted to coffee fields, marking the estate’s transition to an exclusively coffee-producing farm.
Coffee roasting machine at work in the Thogarihunkal estate factory
Nandan Gowda overlooking the work at the factory
The estate is located at an elevation of 3,500-4,200 feet above sea level, ideal for growing both Robusta and Arabica. Today, around 80% of the coffee grown here is Arabica, and 20% is Robusta.
The estate is managed by Nandan and his family, including his father and his uncle who predominantly focus on the cultivation aspect. Nandan takes on the marketing and innovation aspect of the business- he is deeply passionate about processing methods, roasting and most importantly creating a brand that embodies the Thogarihunkal identity.
"We complement each other,” Nandan says. “While my father and uncle focus on what they do best—growing coffee—I can concentrate on building the brand.”
Coffee cherries waiting to be plucked at Thogarihunkal
Currently, their coffee is sold under the estate name, focusing on single-origin specialty coffee and their independent brand, "Hunkal Coffee." From its humble beginnings in 1857 to the creation of a premium coffee brand in the 21st century, the estate has grown and evolved through the dedication of each generation. Nandan continues innovating, ensuring that Thogarihunkal remains a symbol of quality and a legacy in India’s coffee industry.
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