Our Story

At Black Baza, we envision a world where coffee is grown in harmony with both people and nature. The philosophy behind our ‘1000 Year Brew’ embodies this vision — a long-term approach that underpins our grassroots actions, scientific research, and business model. By taking the long view, we believe we’re laying the foundation for a producer-led sustainability model, where biodiversity, local ecosystems, and community well-being are central to every decision we make.

But the concept of a ‘1000 Year Brew’ can go beyond coffee. It’s also about nurturing a deeper, more immersive coffee culture, one that embraces a fuller understanding of flavour!

Black Baza Coffee began, quite unintentionally, as a question during Arshiya’s PhD: Why do so many sustainability certifications fail to bring about real change? Her research revealed that most certifications were limited in reach, top-down in design, and rarely addressed the deeper issues of power, livelihoods, and biodiversity. So the idea was simple — to build something better. A system rooted in trust, fairness, and ecological integrity. A true alternative to certification.

Our journey began with 100 kilos of coffee sourced from just four farms. Since then, we’ve grown, stumbled, learned, and grown again. While Arshiya’s PhD research sowed the seed for Black Baza Coffee, the organisation is the result of a diverse group of people coming together to make biodiversity-friendly coffee a reality. Today, we are partners with some of the most amazing coffee producers across India.

Our team is fiercely diverse. We actively recruit and skillfully train women who seek financial independence and a stable career path. Our approach is deeply rooted in grassroots values, with producer engagement and partnerships spearheaded by two coffee growers. This leadership ensures our ethos is shaped from the ground up, fostering an environment where every voice is heard and valued.