India
India has a rich and evolving coffee culture, with both traditional and modern ways to enjoy coffee. While tea has historically been the dominant beverage, coffee consumption is growing, especially in the south and among younger generations.
Here are some of the different ways to order coffee in India and what's in them:
Traditional Indian Coffee:
South Indian Filter Coffee (Filter Kaapi/Kaapi/Degree Coffee): This is the quintessential Indian coffee experience, particularly popular in South India.
What's in it: It's made by brewing finely ground coffee (often blended with chicory) in a traditional Indian coffee filter (a two-chambered steel device). The resulting strong decoction is then mixed with hot, frothed milk and sugar. The unique frothing is achieved by pouring the coffee back and forth between a steel cup and a "dabara" (a small bowl) at an exaggerated height.
How to order: You can simply ask for "Filter Coffee" or "Kaapi." Sometimes, "Degree Coffee" is used, referring to the purity of the milk used (which used to be checked with a lactometer).
"Phitti Hui" Coffee / Indian Hand-Beaten Coffee / Desi Cappuccino: This is a homemade style of coffee that's gained attention, often compared to Dalgona coffee.
What's in it: Instant coffee powder and sugar are vigorously beaten (traditionally by hand, though frothers are now common) with a small amount of hot water to create a thick, frothy, bitter-sweet paste. This paste is then poured into a glass and topped with hot milk.
Bella Kaapi (Jaggery Coffee): A specific South Indian coffee, often enjoyed black.
What's in it: Ground roasted coffee is boiled in water and then sweetened with a lump of dark cane jaggery, which gives it a smoky taste. Spices like cinnamon, ginger, and cardamom can also be added.
Sukku Kaapi (Black Ginger Coffee): A herbal coffee widely enjoyed in Tamil Nadu, often consumed for its medicinal properties.
What's in it: Dry ginger ("sukku") is brewed with coffee and sweetened with palm jaggery. Other spices like pepper, coriander, and clove can be included. Some traditional recipes might not even contain caffeine.
Karupatti Coffee (Palm Jaggery Coffee): Similar to Bella Kaapi but uses palm jaggery.
What's in it: Coffee decoction, water, and palm jaggery are combined to create a black coffee. It's often consumed for its health benefits, particularly for coughs, colds, or cramps.
Tandoori Coffee: A more recent, unique trend.
What's in it: Hot brewed coffee is poured into a "kulhad" (clay pot) that has been roasted in a pre-heated tandoor (clay oven), imparting a smoky flavor to the coffee.
International/Cafe-Style Coffees (Widely Available in Urban Areas):
In addition to the traditional options, you'll find a wide range of international coffee preparations, especially in cafes and larger cities across India. You would order these much like you would in any other part of the world:
Espresso: A concentrated shot of coffee, serving as the base for many other drinks.
Americano: Espresso diluted with hot water.
Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk and a thick layer of foam.
Latte (Caffé Latte): Espresso with a larger proportion of steamed milk and a thin layer of foam.
Mocha: Espresso, steamed milk, and chocolate (syrup or powder).
Flat White: Similar to a cappuccino, but with less foam and a smoother, velvety texture, made with espresso and steamed milk.
Macchiato (Caffè Macchiato): Espresso "stained" or "spotted" with a dash of foamed milk.
Cortado: Espresso cut with a small amount of warm steamed milk, often to reduce acidity.
Cold Brew: Coffee steeped in cold water for an extended period, resulting in a smooth, less acidic concentrate that is then diluted with water or milk.
Iced Coffee: Typically hot-brewed coffee served over ice, often with milk and sugar.
Iced Latte: Espresso poured over ice and topped with cold milk.
Frappe: Blended iced coffee drinks, often with ice, milk, syrup, and sometimes whipped cream.
When ordering, it's generally safe to use the English names for these international coffee types. In cafes, you can also specify your preferences for milk (e.g., "with milk," "black," "oat milk"), sugar, and strength (e.g., "double shot").
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.