As India rapidly develops into a global coffee hot spot and consumers seek out ever more sophisticated hospitality and culinary experiences, the world’s most populous country has a unique opportunity to hone its identity as both a major coffee consumer and producer. India’s ascent as a nation of coffee lovers may seem recent, but for more than 50 years, one woman has been at the forefront of efforts to improve quality, impart knowledge and training, and above all, cement India’s reputation as a world leader in coffee. Tobias Pearce speaks to Sunalini Menon, Asia’s ‘First Lady of Coffee’
When it comes to India’s coffee industry, few can claim to have had as enduring an influence as Sunalini Menon. As India’s first professional Q Grader, Menon pioneered the appreciation of premium and specialty coffee. As a highly decorated coffee professional, she held senior positions at the Coffee Board of India 1972-1995, eventually becoming the Director Quality Control. As a founding member of the Specialty Coffee Association of India (SCAI), she brought her nation’s centuries-old coffee traditions into the modern era.
