Indian coffee beans offer a distinctive flavour profile , bold, earthy, low in acidity, with rich notes of chocolate, spice and caramelised sugar. India is the world's sixth-largest coffee producer, yet Indian coffee remains one of the most underappreciated origins in the UK. This guide covers India's coffee regions, what makes Indian beans different, the tradition of Indian filter coffee, and how to brew with them at home.
A Brief History of Indian Coffee
Coffee arrived in India in the 17th century, reportedly smuggled from Yemen by the Sufi saint Baba Budan, who brought seven beans back from a pilgrimage to Mecca. Those beans were planted in the hills of Karnataka, and India's coffee industry grew from that single act. Today, India produces over 300,000 tonnes of coffee annually, with the major growing regions concentrated in the southern states of Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
What makes Indian coffee unusual in the global context is its significant robusta production. While most speciality coffee markets focus exclusively on arabica, India produces roughly 70% robusta and 30% arabica , and some of that robusta reaches genuinely impressive quality levels. Indian robusta is not the bitter, flat commodity bean that the word "robusta" often implies. When grown at altitude, processed carefully, and roasted with skill, Indian robusta delivers a thick body, intense sweetness and a chocolatey depth that many drinkers prefer.
Our Indian Coffee: Sethuraman Estate
Sethuraman Estate is a speciality-grade robusta from southern India. We roast it to a medium level in Glasgow to bring out its natural caramel sweetness, rich chocolate body and nutty undertones. It is one of the most distinctive coffees in our range , and one of the few speciality robustas available in the UK.
The estate sits at an elevation of around 900 metres in a region known for shade-grown coffee under a canopy of tropical forest. This slower maturation produces denser beans with more concentrated flavour compounds. The natural process (sun-dried on raised beds) adds fruity sweetness and body.
What Is Indian Filter Coffee?
Indian filter coffee (also called South Indian filter coffee, degree coffee, or kaapi) is a traditional brewing method that predates espresso machines by centuries. It uses a simple two-chamber stainless steel filter device , ground coffee sits in the upper perforated chamber, hot water is poured over it, and the decoction drips slowly through into the lower chamber over 10-15 minutes.
The resulting "decoction" is intensely strong , far more concentrated than drip coffee. It is traditionally served mixed with hot, frothed milk and sugar, poured back and forth between a tumbler and a small metal cup (called a davara) to create a foamy, aerated texture. The ritual of pouring , the long stream of coffee arcing between cup and tumbler , is as much a part of the experience as the taste.
How to Brew Indian Filter Coffee at Home
What You Need
- A South Indian coffee filter (stainless steel, available online for £10-15)
- Finely ground coffee , a medium-fine grind, slightly coarser than espresso
- Hot water (just off the boil, 90-95°C)
- Whole milk
- Sugar to taste (traditional, though optional)
Method
- Add 2-3 tablespoons (15-20g) of finely ground coffee to the upper chamber of the filter.
- Press the perforated disc gently on top of the grounds , firm but not compacted.
- Pour 100ml of hot water over the disc, place the lid on, and wait 10-15 minutes.
- The decoction will drip into the lower chamber , dark, thick and aromatic.
- Heat 150ml of milk until just simmering. Add 2-3 tablespoons of decoction to a tumbler.
- Pour the hot milk in, add sugar if desired, and pour between tumbler and cup to froth.
Indian Coffee Beyond Filter: Other Brew Methods
Indian coffee beans work beautifully across multiple brew methods. The low acidity and bold body make them particularly well suited to:
- Espresso: The robusta content produces excellent crema and a punchy, full-bodied shot.
- Cafetiere: The chocolatey, nutty profile develops richly in full-immersion brewing.
- Cold brew: The smooth, low-acid character of Indian beans makes superb cold brew concentrate.
- Moka pot: The traditional stovetop method pairs perfectly with the intensity of Indian coffee.
Explore our full single origin range to see how Indian coffee compares with origins from Ethiopia, Colombia, Brazil and beyond.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do Indian coffee beans taste like?
Indian coffee beans typically offer bold, earthy flavours with low acidity. Common tasting notes include dark chocolate, caramel, spice, nuts and a thick, syrupy body. Indian robusta in particular delivers an intense sweetness that is quite different from the bright, fruity character of African arabicas.
Is Indian coffee robusta or arabica?
India produces both, but roughly 70% of Indian coffee is robusta. High-quality Indian robusta, like our Sethuraman Estate, is a speciality-grade coffee with complex flavour , quite different from the commodity robusta used in instant coffee.
What is Indian filter coffee?
Indian filter coffee (kaapi) is a traditional South Indian brewing method using a two-chamber stainless steel filter. Hot water drips through finely ground coffee over 10-15 minutes to produce a concentrated decoction, which is then mixed with hot frothed milk and sugar.
Can I use Indian coffee beans in an espresso machine?
Yes . Indian coffee, particularly robusta varieties, produces excellent espresso with thick crema, intense body and a bold flavour. Many traditional Italian espresso blends include Indian robusta for exactly these qualities.
Where can I buy Indian coffee beans in the UK?
We Are Coffee Co offers Sethuraman Estate, a speciality-grade Indian robusta, roasted in Glasgow. Available in whole bean, cafetiere grind and espresso grind with free delivery over £30.
Try Indian Coffee
If you have never tried speciality Indian coffee, Sethuraman Estate is the place to start. Roasted in small batches in Glasgow, SCA-scored for quality, and available in whole bean or ground. Discover a coffee origin that deserves far more attention than it gets.