<Tr> <Td> Total </Td> <Td> 178,308 </Td> <Td> 346,995 hectares (857,440 acres) </Td> </Tr> <P> The most important areas of production are in the southern Indian states of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu which accounted for over 92 percent of India's coffee production in the 2005--2006 growing season . In this same season, India exported over 440,000 pounds (200,000 kg) of coffee, with over 25 percent destined for Italy . Traditionally, India has been a noted producer of Arabica coffee but in the last decade robusta beans are growing substantially due to high yields, which now account for over 60 percent of coffee produced in India . The domestic consumption of coffee increased from 50,000 tonnes in 1995 to 94,400 tonnes in 2008 . According to the statistics provided by the Coffee Board of India, the estimated production of Robusta and Arabica coffee for the "Post Monsoon Estimation 2009--10" and "Post Blossom Estimation 2010--11" in different states accounted for a total of 308,000 tonnes and 289,600 tonnes, respectively . As of 2010, between 70% and 80% of Indian grown coffee is exported overseas . </P> <P> All coffee grown in India are grown in shade and commonly with two tiers of shade . Often inter-cropped with spices such as cardamom, cinnamon, clove, and nutmeg, the coffees gain aromatics from the inter-cropping, storage, and handling functions . Growing altitudes range between 1,000 m (3,300 ft) to 1,500 m (4,900 ft) above sea level for Arabica (premier coffee), and 500 m (1,600 ft) to 1,000 m (3,300 ft) for Robusta (though of lower quality, it is robust to environment conditions). Ideally, both Arabica and Robusta are planted in well drained soil conditions that favour rich organic matter that is slightly acidic (pH 6.0--6.5). However, India's coffees tend to be moderately acidic which can lead to either a balanced and sweet taste, or a listless and inert one . Slopes of Arabica tend to be gentle to moderate, while Robusta slopes are gentle to fairly level . </P> <Dl> <Dt> Blooming and maturing </Dt> </Dl>

Which soil is found suitable for growing coffee in india