Hong Kong, April 29 -- With the onset of the first heat waves of the Indian summer, who wouldn't want to escape to the cool of the mountains? Plan your getaway to Karnataka, with its abundance of coffee plantations this summer season amidst the mountain air of Coorg and Chikmagalur.

Coffee first came to Indian soils back in 1670 when Baba Budan smuggled coffee beans to the Chandragiri hills of Karnataka from Arabia. Since then, the state has been responsible for at least 50% of India's coffee production, known to be one of the finest coffees grown in shade globally. Arabica and Robusta, the two varieties of coffee found in South India are especially famous as is the rich flavour of the end product- piping hot

served in stainless steel. ...