India to host global coffee fest

India is to host an international coffee festival in its southern city of Bengaluru later this month, a top official has said.

"Indian coffee, grown under tree shade, is very popular in the international markets. We want to showcase the best from India in the festival," Jawaid Akhtar, the head of the state-run Coffee Board of India, told the media.

This year will mark the festival's fifth edition organized by the Indian Coffee Trust promoted by the Indian Coffee Board under the Commerce Ministry, and the five-day event will commence on Jan 21.

India is the fifth largest coffee exporter in the world, with coffee being produced in the southern states of Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.

Though traditionally a tea drinking nation, domestic coffee consumption has also risen in recent years, with U.S. coffee retailer Starbucks entering the Indian market already dominated by Cafe Coffee Day and international brands like Barista Lavazza and Costa Coffee.