Ahead of International Coffee Day tomorrow, we spoke to cafés, restaurants and coffee experts in the city to find out the favourite coffee types of Mumbaikars
Cappuccino is Mumbai’s favourite coffee to order, which reflects the fondness to milk-based beverages
- Cappuccino tops the list
- For desi drinkers, milk-based coffee has a sense of familiarity and comfort
- For many city-residents black coffee is preferred as a quick brew before the gym
Though India is usually associated with chai and tea-drinking is a ritual that gets us going, a large part of the nation also prefers coffee to start the day. Mumbai, a city that’s a melting point of communities, sees a variety of drinks on offer for people’s caffeine fix. From latte, Americano, mocha, ice-coffees, filter kaapi — you name it and the city has it. We did some digging and found that of the four coffee favourites in the city, cappuccino tops the list. Read on to know more.
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1. Cappuccino
Indians are quite familiar with milk-based beverages and so there is no surprise that cappuccino is the most commonly ordered in the city. These drinks are rich and creamy with a bold espresso flavour. Their versatility also makes them a favourite because they can be enjoyed in many different ways — with a sprinkle of cinnamon, chocolate chips or a shot of flavoured syrup.
2. Latte
Latte has more steamed milk and less froth which makes it creamier, smoother and milder to taste. People find this appealing. It is especially popular amongst consumers who love a strong coffee but do not want their palates to be overwhelmed by the espresso flavour. For desi drinkers, milk-based coffee has a sense of familiarity and comfort, which is another reason why cappuccino, latte and mocha remain the top four choices. For most customers, these three are interchangeable.
3. Americano
Americano or black coffee, as it is more commonly referred to, has grown popular in recent years. Its rise in popularity suggests that people are more open to experimenting with their brew. There is also a growing number of well-travelled consumers who have been exposed to black coffee abroad. They also have expendable income that enables access to different things, and in this case an Americano. Additionally, the beverage has the most realistic chance of capturing the right flavour profile of the coffee bean, as it has not been diluted by milk. It is also popular among people who want to have coffee but wish to avoid milk. For many city-residents black coffee is preferred as a quick brew before the gym or their daily exercise routine.
4. Mocha
The love of chocolate in general has crept into the tastebuds of the city. The drink’s sweet and bitter cocoa flavour is favoured by people who are willing to try a deviation from the classic coffee flavour. Though It is not the choice for usual coffee drinkers who prefer their brew strong (with or without milk). The chocolatey drink is an escape from the bitterness of espresso shots. The combination of sweet and bitter creates a sweet, velvety drink that is quite appealing.
Did India Coffee House birth in Mumbai?
Recently, a content creator posted a video on the iconic India Coffee House and that their first outlet was in Mumbai. This created some buzz on social media around the origins of India Coffee House, where some claimed that the first outlet was opened in Jabalpur. Suren Joshi, founder of Javaphile and co-founder of Affogato, clears the air. “Having spent all these years in Mumbai, I’ve always been intrigued by the Indian Coffee House, as they have such a great myth and stories around them. The establishment is popular till date, and has consistently attracted a diverse clientele including many of my parents’ friends in the artistic community. It has this vintage ambiance. I can confidently say that it [the space] unquestionably found its roots in Mumbai first. No doubts about that.”
Know the coffee
. Most types of coffee in India have chicory, which makes the beverage taste quite bitter. Hence, most Indians associate the strength of coffee with its bitterness; and are used to the concept that coffee is always bitter
. Americano coffee offers a more realistic chance of experiencing all the notes of the bean as it hasn’t been diluted by milk.
. Just like orange and chocolate; coffee and orange make a great pairing. It is the growing choice for many baristas and customers across
the city.
. While filter coffee is a popular choice among the middle-aged demographic, women usually pick flavoured blends.
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