Microlot coffee: The limited-edition world of India’s specialty coffee

At Blue Tokai’s Play Bar, in Jubilee Hills, I am introduced to sensory cups — a set of three, each designed for a different purpose: aroma, body, and flavour. The cups are meant to help coffee connoisseurs explore some of India’s microlots.

Microlots are small, intentionally separated batches of coffee. They are set apart not because they are flawed, but because of their unique growing conditions, processing methods, and distinct flavour profiles. Unlike commercial blends, these coffees are not a mix of beans from multiple regions or harvest days.

Microlot is a third-wave coffee term — part of a movement that treats coffee like fine wine, with a focus on high-quality beans, single-origin sourcing, lighter roasts that highlight flavour, and direct relationships with farmers. Key details to look out for while purchasing microlot coffee include elevation, processing technique, cultivar, farm name, region, farm size, and producer name.