Cold Brews, Micro-Lot Coffees And Home Brewing: Here Are The Biggest Coffee Trends In India

The days of instant coffee are fading. India has been in the middle of a coffee boom. From being one of the biggest exporters of Arabica and Robusta beans to the world to coffee becoming a lifestyle choice for an Indian, the evolution is inspiring.

Coffee enthusiasts are on a quest for new flavours and experiences, venturing into the world of single-origin beans and artisanal blends. “Although the global average coffee consumption is 200 cups per person annually, India lags with just 30 cups per person. However, the potential for market growth in India is immense,” explains Karreena Bulchandani, Founder of Mokai, a Mumbai-based all-day diner and coffeehouse with an Asian-inspired coffee programme. Coffee is no longer seen merely as a morning energiser or an afternoon pick-me-up; it’s evolving into a lifestyle choice. In a predominantly tea-drinking nation, millennials and Gen Z are driving a shift towards specialty coffee, high-quality beans and experimenting with different roast levels to find their perfect cup.

This has also led to an upward spiral of home-brewing methods. People now have an elaborate array of coffee makers at home; from espresso machines to Aeropress nothing can keep these passionate at-home novice baristas from practising different brewing techniques. Coffee lovers are seeking beans that suit their palate, whether it’s light, medium, dark, or French roast that they can brew in the convenience of their homes in a method that they love the most. Specialty coffee roasters are creating their blends, which give them exclusivity and produce a unique taste profile. “International coffees are expensive, but creating these blends not only reduces the final product price but also offers a completely new taste profile, which many customers appreciate. Blending and custom specialization help users connect with the origins in a very artisanal way,” adds Ashish Bharvirkar, Founder of 729 Grams Coffee. 729 Grams Coffee is Pune-based brewhouse that offers Specialty Coffee Association-certified training modules in brewing, barista skills, and more for both coffee professionals and aficionados.

“Rise in the integration of technology, usage of apps and subscription-based models are enhancing accessibility and convenience, making it much easier for consumers to enjoy their coffee even outside of cafes. With increased access to premium products and brewing techniques, consumers are likely to develop their own coffee rituals; giving rise to another key trend of the coffee at home experience,” adds Rajat Luthra, CEO, Third Wave Coffee.

There is also a new wave of coffee culture thanks to the increasing number of cafes opening up. Doubling as workspaces, these cafes offer specialty coffees and snacks, catering to an urban audience that prefers to spend a few hours working, socialising, or reading. “We’re also seeing significant investor interest in this space. However, given the nature of the business, the high overheads, and the extended time to break even for each location, a new QSR model has emerged recently where the same specialty coffees are offered in a grab-and-go format. As a result, the prices are much more customer-friendly, even for specialty coffees,” says GD Prasad, Founder, VS Mani & Co, the Bengaluru-based FMCG company specialising in South Indian filter coffee and snacks.

Most Popular Brews In India

1. Pour over is the number one preference for a coffee enthusiast brewing coffee at home. It’s easy to make, easily accessible and can be made both hot and cold.

2. People love the convenience of cold brew. All you need is coffee grounds and water mixed overnight, and the next day you’ll get a nice, refreshing drink. It’s simple, long-lasting, and can be enjoyed with tonic, plain tonic, ginger ale, etc.

3. There is a growing love for South Indian filter coffee. Many restaurants and cafes in Mumbai, Pune, Delhi, Gurgaon are now serving authentic South Indian filter coffee.

4. Another growing trend is dessert coffee drinks, like affogato, tiramisu lattes or hot chocolate lattes.

5. Flat white has also become popular. It’s a favourite for anyone getting into specialty coffee or even for someone having coffee for the first time.

6. Vietnamese coffee is also on the popular list. People are now well-educated about using a phin filter, it is a traditional method of brewing coffee in Vietnam. In the past, it was just condensed milk and an espresso shot, but now the technique matters.

A Case For Sustainable Coffee

Bean-to-cup is not a buzzword when it comes to the importance of sustainable coffee cultivation and processing. It is an integral part and it inevitably begins at the farm level. It is a long tedious cycle that requires total transparency for the whole supply chain to benefit—from the farmer to the consumer. It takes four years for a germinated coffee seed to start producing cherries. The cherry is what gets converted into a coffee bean. With the reuse of water, natural sunlight and organic farming methods, coffee production has become more sustainable. Organic practices like using organic culture, yeast, or anything required to enhance the soil, help make the entire journey from bean-to-cup eco-friendly, explains Chirag Oswal, Founder of Grey Soul Coffee Roasters. He adds, “Coffee is usually transported in 60kg bags, so bulk transportation reduces fuel consumption from the farm to the roastery. Roasters like us also focus on certified papers and sustainable packaging.” Grey Soul Coffee Roasters are another Pune-based coffee brand that focuses on Indian specialty coffee.

The same knowledge is also what more and more coffee enthusiasts are interested in to ensure they make an informed decision about their coffee beans. The bean-to-cup journey is important in terms of promoting transparency throughout the process. It allows consumers to understand the costs, efforts, and practices involved, from farming and labour costs to the roles of exporters, roasters, and brewers. “Sustainable growth in coffee isn’t just about profits; it’s about making sure the farmers, the environment, and the communities involved are all benefiting. When people know the story behind their coffee, it creates a deeper connection, driving demand for ethical and eco-friendly coffee practices,” adds Gaurav Sethi, CEO, Siolim Specialty Coffee Roasters, which is roastery based in Indore and is one of the first specialty coffee roastery Central India.

Top Trends In Indian Coffees

1. The rapid expansion of premium cafe chains and the rise of specialty coffee grab-and-go outlets.

2. At-home brewing has also gained tremendous popularity, with people investing in high-end equipment to brew coffee at home. The rise of home brewing methods, including pour-overs, AeroPress, French press, and quality espresso machines at home, has really changed the game for coffee enthusiasts.

3. There’s a surge in demand for micro-lot coffees—these are small, carefully selected batchesoffering unique flavours tied to specific farms or estates. In addition, increased appreciation for non-chicory blends, even in traditionally chicory-preferred regions like the South has boosted.

4. Consumers want to know where the coffee comes from, what the roast level is, and other minute details about the coffee’s journey.Sustainability is becoming more important to consumers. They want to know their coffee is sourced responsibly and doesn’t harm the environment.

5. Expanding accessibility for consumers is another key trend where, as coffee consumption rises, newer formats like collaborations with lifestyle brands, pop-up cafés, and at-home coffee setups will emerge and grow.

6. A focus on convenient solutions for customers has led to innovative products, like pour over drip bags and travel espresso machines.

7. The rise of cold coffee varieties in India, such as nitrogen-infused cold brews, 24 to 36-hour cold brews, and the like have transformed the coffee scene.

8. Finally, there’s a significant trend toward healthier drinks. Use of natural sweeteners like honey, jaggery, and agave has increased since coffee is often consumed daily, especially sweetened coffee, using syrups or refined sugar doesn’t promote wellness.