21/01/2026
We spent a day and a half at Gorus Forest Farms, moving through the coffee estate at its own pace. It is one of the very few coffee growing farms in this region and the only one in this belt of Maharashtra, which makes the experience stand apart in itself.
Coffee trees lined the paths, cherries were still on the branches, and beans at different stages of processing were laid out across the farm. Seeing coffee this close, from where it grows to how it is handled, gave the day a clear structure and context.
A big part of the experience was walking the farm with Ashwin Paranjpe, whose knowledge of the land and of coffee runs deep. Every stop came with context. About the trees, the soil, the birds, the process, and the decisions that shape the farm. It showed in how naturally he moved through the estate and how closely everything around him is understood and cared for.
Between walks, we paused often. For conversations, for bird watching, and for simply noticing what was happening around us. The forest made slowing down feel natural.
Kalu and Lulu were with us through most of the routes. They led the way along familiar paths, waited when we stopped, and stayed close throughout. Having them around made the walk feel shared and easy.
People gathered in small groups, dogs moved in and out of frames, and the farm carried on with its routine. Some photos were taken along the way, not as highlights, but as notes from time spent there.
This volume is a record of those moments.
Nothing rushed.
Just time spent observing, learning, and moving through a working coffee farm.
