Medellin, Colombia, Oct 9: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has sparked a fresh conversation around India’s coffee potential after sharing a video of his visit to Pergamino, a renowned Colombian coffee shop in Medellin.
In the video posted on his YouTube channel, Gandhi was shown the intricate art of Colombian coffee brewing, drawing parallels with India’s rich coffee heritage. He was given a hands on demonstration of the brewing process and expressed admiration for the blend of science and creativity involved.
“I am realising today that it is a lot more complex than I thought,” Gandhi remarked, praising the craftsmanship of Colombian farmers and highlighting that coffee is more than a crop it supports nearly half a million families in Colombia.
Rahul Gandhi emphasised that India, too, has the ingredients to craft a compelling global story in specialty coffee. “From the hills of Wayanad and Coorg to Araku and the Nilgiris, our soils and passionate farmers have the potential to create a global narrative for Indian specialty coffee,” he said.
During his visit, Gandhi also engaged with Pedro, a coffee expert at Pergamino, who described each cup as “a dialogue between science and creativity.” Gandhi’s interaction highlighted the potential for India to innovate in artisanal coffee production while promoting its unique flavors from regions like Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh.
This visit is part of Gandhi’s four-nation South America tour, seen as a strategic move to spotlight India’s agricultural diversity and promote indigenous products globally. India, the sixth-largest coffee producer in the world, still treats specialty coffee as a niche segment, and Gandhi’s endorsement may serve as a catalyst for international recognition of Indian coffee.
As Indian coffee growers continue experimenting with sustainable farming and artisanal techniques, this initiative could encourage innovation and help elevate Indian coffee on the global stage.