Kelagur Coffee & Tea Estates is located in Chikmagalur District in Karnataka state. Situated in the Western Ghats, the estate is currently spread over 1000 acres, with elevations ranging between 3000 to 4000 feet above msl. The annual rainfall is between 120 to 160 inches. Kelagur Estate was acquired by Diwan Bahadur S L Mathias (1868 – 1940), himself the son of a coffee planter, in 1927. At a time when the global coffee market was fluctuating, ‘Sathab’ as he was respectfully known, staked his all to open up a tea estate – the first Indian to do so in Mysore. He became a legend – being honoured both by the then Viceroy and Governor-General of India and by the Maharajah of Mysore, for his achievements.

His son, E J Mathias (1913 – 1992) carried on the family tradition for five decades and developed the estate further, planting coffee, clonal tea and progressively improving the social welfare for the workers. Since 1980, his grandson Peter Mathias continues the family planting tradition.
Arabica coffee, the main strains being S 795 and Sln 9, grows at elevations of 3000 – 4000 feet above msl; robusta coffee, a mix of old robusta and S 274, grows at lower elevations. Coffee grows under a mixed canopy of shade, with the upper canopy comprising trees such as ficus, albizzia, bischofia and javanica.

The estate has fully integrated facilities for coffee processing, with on-site pulp house and curing works. Fourteen perennial springs on the estate ensure that the washed arabica and robusta is of the highest standard. The year round harvesting and processing of tea at Kelagur Estate has created a well-trained and disciplined workforce.

Contact:
D B S L Mathias & Sons, Kelagur Coffee & Tea Estates, Javali P.O., Chikmagalur – 577 122, Karnataka, India
Tel: 91 (0) 8263 345322, E-mail: kelmat@sancharnet.in

Bangalore contact: Tel: 91 (0) 80 25587245 Fax: 91 (0) 80 25586706
E-mail: mathi007@blr.vsnl.net.in