Full Breakdown
Odisha’s Koraput Coffee and Indian Culinary Showcase at the 18th BRICS Summit
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Tribal-grown coffee and regional dishes served to BRICS delegates
On September 12, 2026, the Ministry of External Affairs placed a 250-gram packet of Tiger Bright Koraput coffee in the media and delegate kits at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi. The same summit featured an all-vegetarian gala dinner at Bharat Mandapam, with dishes such as khandvi mille, khumb galouti, paneer lababdar, gucchi marmik, millet pulao and shahtoot phirni.
Background & Context
The “Koraput Coffee” brand was launched on September 11, 2019 to create a structured market for coffee produced by tribal farmers in Odisha’s Koraput district. The coffee is 100 % Arabica, cultivated at 920-950 m elevation under shade trees and hand-picked at peak ripeness.
Food diplomacy has been a recurring feature of Indian summit hosting. In the 2025-26 season, the Tribal Development Co-operative Corporation of Odisha Ltd (TDCCOL) procured a record 102.54 metric tonnes of coffee fruit, up from 34.68 tonnes in 2022-23 and 34.41 tonnes in 2024-25, benefitting around 360 tribal families.
Data & Statistics
- 102.54 metric tonnes of coffee fruit procured in 2025-26 (officials).
- 360 tribal families reported to have benefited from the increased procurement (officials).
- The coffee is processed on raised wooden beds, sun-dried, graded and marketed under hygiene standards (officials).
- The gala dinner menu listed at least eight distinct items, including khandvi mille, khumb galouti, paneer lababdar, gucchi marmik, carrot-bean poriyal, thakkali belle saaru, millet pulao, beetroot raita, Old Delhi fruit cream with jalebi and shahtoot phirni (reports).
Official Statements & Responses
- Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi said the coffee’s inclusion reflected the “Vocal for Local” spirit promoted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and offered a platform to showcase Odisha’s produce.
- Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida described the coffee’s presence as a proud moment for the state and highlighted the role of tribal farming families in accessing wider markets.
- Executive chef Kaushik Misra explained that the vegetarian menu was designed to use food as “a language of friendship,” introducing delegates to India’s regional spices, herbs and home-style flavours while respecting their culinary preferences.
Verbatim Quotes
- “Over the past few days, I have been speaking about #Odisha on global platforms, inviting the world to see the opportunities, strength and potential of our State. Today, it is especially heartening to see Koraput coffee telling another side of Odisha’s story at the BRICS India 2026 Summit,” — Mr. Majhi, chief minister
Why It Matters / Impact
The distribution of Koraput coffee at a high-profile multilateral summit signals the Indian government’s effort to promote products from tribal and rural economies on a global stage, potentially opening export channels for the families involved.
The curated vegetarian menu underscores India’s use of culinary diplomacy to project cultural diversity and hospitality, reinforcing the summit’s broader goal of fostering cooperation among emerging economies.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
No source provides quantitative data on how many delegates actually received the coffee or on subsequent sales impact, leaving the commercial outcome of the initiative unverified.