In the 1600s, coffee beans travelled in cargo holds, sometimes for up to six months, from India to Europe on slow sailing ships. They were stowed away in damp conditions with no access to fresh air or sunlight. By the time they arrived in Europe, they were swollen and yellowed. The Europeans, not knowing any difference, brewed and enjoyed them. They loved the sweetly fermented brew that had intriguing earthy and well-balanced flavours.
Since the beans are no longer subject to dark, long voyages across the sea, the conditions have been recreated. Monsoon is a 16-week, wet process method that recreates the conditions of a sea voyage to produce distinctive-tasting coffee. At a medium roast, India Malabar 'Monsooned Voyage' is a very distinctive coffee that yields a top-grade brew. It is known for its medium body, gentle tanginess, mellow flavour, and unforgettable aroma.
