Bean to brew: Experts decode the coffee lingo, spill beans on how India enjoys its coffee

For many, it takes one cup of perfectly brewed coffee to set things right, be it a Monday morning, a romantic date, or even a good time with friends. Coffee has been a popular drink among most Indians since its discovery in the country. From being prepared at home as a morning/evening beverage to having found its dedicated place in cafes, coffee has become a way of life.

While filter coffee remains at the centre of coffee culture in India, coffee lovers in the country have come to love the various notes different kinds of coffees offer to their palate. We have the cafes in the country to thank.

Brew cafe-style coffee at home: Experts dish out tips to prepare a perfect cuppa

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The cafe culture in India truly revolutionised how Indians drink their coffee today. "The cafe culture in India took off in the late 1990s with Cafe Coffee Day (CCD) playing a pivotal role. Offering a taste of the western cafe experience with familiar beverages like cappuccinos and lattes, CCD made coffee consumption a social activity, especially among the youth. Today, cafes are ubiquitous in major cities, catering to diverse coffee preferences," says AshwiniOm Sawant, founder, Kali Coffee Roasters and Training Center.

AshwiniOm Sawant, founder, Kali Coffee Roasters and Training Center

Seconding to this, Mishthi Aggarwal, coffee roaster, and founder of 93 Degrees Coffee Roasters says, "Around the late 1990s and early 2000s international coffee chains started entering the Indian market, introducing a cafe culture that appealed to the younger generation and urban crowds. These cafes became trendy spots for socialising, studying, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee. At the same time, the Indian coffee chain, Cafe Coffee Day, also revolutionised the coffee culture of the country and acted as an integral instrument in introducing the beverage to the masses."

Mishthi Aggarwal, coffee roaster, and founder of 93 Degrees Coffee Roasters

Vikram Khurana, CEO, KAAPI Solutions further states, "Today, the cafe culture has become an integral part of the daily life of the urban populace, especially in metropolitan cities where people view cafes not only as places to drink a cup or two of coffee but also as centres for creativity, conversation and leisure. This genteel transformation reflects a combination of traditional tea-drinking customs and the international impact of coffee culture, contributing to India's eclectic cafe environment, which is now ingrained in its modern social texture."


Vikram Khurana, CEO, KAAPI Solutions

To explore the coffee culture in India and decode the technical language of the coffee world, we got coffee experts to spill the beans on how Indians came to love a myriad of rich and aromatic coffees over the years and how coffee lovers can pick the right coffee the next time they hit a fancy cafe.

Experts say South India is where it all started
Although the origin of coffee can be tricky to trace, legend has it that Kaldi, a goat herder in Ethiopia discovered coffee in the ninth century. Kaldi discovered the stimulating properties of coffee beans when he found his goats unusually lively after consuming coffee berries. He tried some of the berries himself and felt the same effect. He then brought the berries to a monastery, where the monks brewed them as a drink and found that it helped them stay awake during their prayers.

The origin of coffee then reached the Arabian Peninsula, becoming inseparable from Islamic culture itself. Coffee houses became gathering places for social and intellectual exchange.

The origin of coffee in India can be traced back to the 17th century when Baba Budan, a Sufi saint from the southern Indian region of Karnataka, smuggled seven coffee beans from Yemen and planted them in the Chandragiri hills of Karnataka. Coffee cultivation in India started gaining commercial significance by the turn of the 19th century, and it was exported to Europe via London.

Interestingly, Sawant states, "The first Indian Coffee House was established in 1936 in Bombay (now Mumbai) by the Coffee Board of India, marking the rise of the Indian Coffee House movement."

For India, it all started with the South Indian filter coffee
Coffee, originally, is a simple strong brew that reflects the cultural practices of its regions of origin, such as boiling it and drinking it. It is prominently a drink of the Middle East. Preparation there meant roasting green coffee beans, grinding them fine, and using hot water to brew the fine grounds. The brew was strong and thick, generally gulped straight up without milk or sugar. Gradually, the popularity of this beverage spread to other regions of the world leading to the creation of various adaptations.

"In India, coffee varieties are also blended with chicory, a herb native to Europe and Asia, which adds a slightly bitter and caramel-like flavour. Indian filter coffee, a popular drink in southern India, is prepared by mixing frothed milk," informs Sawant.

According to Khurana, "South Indian filter coffee, or kaapi, is one of the most common and popular styles of coffee consumption, loved by many. The preparation process begins with blending dark-roasted beans with chicory; then the concoction is slowly filtered through a metal mesh. What emerges is a cup of well-balanced, aromatic coffee with a special South Indian flavour, which includes the rich decoction mixed with hot frothy milk and sugar."

Aggarwal says, "Although filter coffee is the most common and old kind of coffee in India, Indians also enjoy other variations like cappuccinos, cold coffees, and frappes, especially in urban areas. Cold coffee, both traditional and with a modern twist, has gained popularity, particularly during warmer months. In recent years, speciality coffee has also developed a niche market that prefers their coffee black and paper filtered."

There are many factors responsible for the rise in speciality coffee in India. Some key reasons include:
1. The increasing exposure and awareness of Indian consumers to global coffee trends and culture, especially among the urban and young population.
2. The growing appreciation and curiosity of Indian consumers for different types of coffee, brewing methods, and flavours, as well as the willingness to pay a premium for quality and experience.
3. The emergence and innovation of local coffee roasters, cafes, and brands that offer speciality coffee from different regions and estates of India, showcasing the diversity and richness of Indian coffee.
4. The support and collaboration of various stakeholders, such as farmers, traders, exporters, researchers, and government agencies, to improve the quality and sustainability of coffee production in India.

Types of coffee beans in India
While there are various types of coffee beans across the world, in India, two types of coffee beans are prominently used to brew coffee.

1. Arabica: Known for its smoothness and pleasant acidity, Arabica beans are favoured for their mild and aromatic flavour profile. They often have hints of sweetness, with notes of fruit, berries, and sometimes chocolate. These beans typically have less caffeine compared to Robusta.

2. Robusta: Robusta beans are bolder and stronger in taste, with a higher caffeine content. They have a more robust, sometimes earthy or nutty flavour profile. Robusta coffee tends to be less acidic and can have a slightly bitter taste compared to Arabica. It's often used in espresso blends for its strong flavour and for creating a good crema on top of the coffee.

The main differences between the two lies in their taste, caffeine content, and growing conditions. Arabica is known for its smoother, more varied flavours, while Robusta offers a stronger, more intense taste. Additionally, Robusta beans are generally hardy and can grow in lower altitudes compared to Arabica, which thrives at higher elevations.

Most cafes use blends of these beans to achieve a balanced flavour, combining the strengths of each variety to create a unique and enjoyable coffee experience. In some speciality cafes, however, you can find other species like Liberica and Bourbon.

Different types of coffee available in cafes
Coffee aficionados might know their coffees a little too well. This helps them pick the right coffee for themselves whenever they visit a cafe. However, those who might like enjoying a good cuppa once in a while in some cafes might find themselves drowning in the exhaustive varieties of cafes.

All three coffee experts, Sawant, Aggarwal and Khurana list down common types of coffees and their key differences:

Espresso
Origin: Italy
Preparation: It's a concentrated shot of coffee made by forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans. Usually served in a small cup.
Taste: Strong and bold, with a rich and intense flavour. It is the base for many other coffee drinks.

Cappuccino
Origin: Italy
Preparation: It's made by combining equal parts of espresso, steamed milk, and frothed milk. Topped with a sprinkle of cocoa or cinnamon.
Taste: Creamy and balanced, with a milder coffee flavour due to the addition of milk foam.

Latte
Origin: Italy
Preparation: Made with espresso and steamed milk, usually in a 1:3 or 1:4 ratio of coffee to milk. Topped with a small amount of foam.
Taste: Smooth and milky, with a more pronounced milk flavour compared to a cappuccino.

Americano
Origin: Europe (originally based on American preferences)
Preparation: It's made by diluting espresso with hot water, resulting in a milder coffee with a similar strength to drip coffee.
Taste: Lighter than espresso, but still bold. It has a more diluted flavour compared to other espresso-based drinks.

Mocha
Origin: Variations found globally, but it is named after a type of coffee from Yemen.
Preparation: Combines espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate syrup, sometimes topped with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.
Taste: A mix of coffee and chocolate flavours, making it slightly sweet and rich.
These drinks offer a range of flavours and strengths, catering to different preferences in coffee taste and style.

Pick the right kind of coffee when you visit a cafe
Keeping the Indian palate in mind that usually inclines towards milder, sweeter coffees, every cafe has a variety of delectable choices. Khurana suggests having a cup of cafe latte. "Cafe latte is made with a shot of smooth espresso and mixed with oodles of steamed milk. The result is a creamy beverage that is comforting yet has a well-balanced flavour."

He also suggests ordering a flat white with two shots of espresso and a thin layer of microfoam to give yourself more coffee without the bitterness. This suits the tastes of those who prefer a more sophisticated, less biting coffee in the exclusive and refined atmosphere of fashionable cafes.

For those looking for neutral strength and flavour, Sawant, whose personal favourite is espresso prepared from any medium-roasted coffee, recommends Americano, which has a simple, unadulterated coffee flavour.

Aggarwal, who prefers different coffees depending on her mood and time of the day, suggests Mocha Cortado. "A personal favourite, and off-the-menu item, simply request your barista to add some chocolate or flavour to your cortado (which is equal parts of espresso and milk). This allows you to enjoy a small brew, which is not heavy and at the same time lets you discover the joy of speciality and freshly brewed coffee." She also recommends chai later for the Indian population that loves their chai.

Brew cafe-style coffee at home
We all fancy cafes and the coffee served there. Most of us have tried at least once to prepare a cafe-style coffee at home but to no avail. If you wish to give it another try, coffee experts share tips on how to ace that perfect brew at home.

Khurana:
Espresso: The preparation of espresso at home is relatively simple. Grind fresh coffee beans to a fine consistency. Measure out the correct amount of coffee grounds, usually about nine grams per shot of espresso. Pack into an espresso machine's portafilter, tapping down firmly and evenly. Insert the portafilter in the machine, and start extraction. Hot water passes through under pressure into coffee grounds. This should give you a concentrated shot of espresso.

Americano: To make an Americano, start by brewing a shot of espresso using the same technique mentioned above. Once the espresso is ready, dilute it with hot water to your desired strength, typically in a ratio of 1: 1 or 1:2 (espresso to water). This will make for a slightly mellower coffee with the flavour profile of drip coffee.

Aggarwal:
Cappuccino: Brew a shot of espresso. Then heat and froth the milk using a hand frother, French press, or simply shaking it in a bottle. Pour the espresso into a cup, and top it with milk and a lot of foam

Mocha: Brew a shot of espresso and mix a spoonful of chocolate ganache/ sauce with it. Heat and froth milk. Pour the chocolate espresso into a cup, and add the milk. Optionally, top it with whipped cream and chocolate shavings.

Classic Cold Coffee: Brew a shot of espresso. Blend it with ice, ice cream and milk. Pour into a glass, and enjoy. Optionally, mix in flavours and sauces according to your taste preferences.