For a city that once measured an afternoon in refills, Kolkata’s coffee order is changing. Menus that stopped at cappuccino and latte now carry pour-overs, cold brews and questions about the bean. To celebrate the spirit of the perfect caffeine fix, this International Coffee Day, we asked cafe owners how and what the city is drinking. We also spoke to self-confessed celebrity coffee addicts who say every cuppa they have brings them happiness. To them, its always been about adda and the quality of the brew itself.
Vienna roast is my favourite. I like my coffee freshly ground, so I have a little grinding machine at home and a French press. The whole process is so comforting. Coffee is my morning reset button
Anindita Bose
I love making coffee for myself. I’m particular about the grind, dose and extraction. I have a coffee setup at home. I’d rather spend time making a proper cup than drink a bad one
Anindya Chatterjee
I’ve loved an Americano without sugar for a decade now. I’d carry an aeropress to work earlier, but now I have a portable espresso machine
Sean Banerjee
City cafes spill the beansGrant Walsh, founder-owner of 8th Day Cafe and Bakery, says “We’ve seen a surge around speciality offerings like Vietnamese iced coffee, macchiatos, and cold brews as sentiment has shifted towards complex drinks and flavours.” Prateek Didwania, founder of Snacking Cafe and PICO and co-founder of Yours Truly Coffee Roaster, says “Cold brew has found a strong audience for its refreshing quality. It allows people to experience coffee in a very different way. Kolkata is slowly moving from simply drinking coffee to understanding and experiencing it.” For Natasha Suri, co-founder of CoLAB, coffee culture in the city is “definitely more than a cup, it’s also community.” She says people aren’t just asking for a coffee anymore; they’re asking where the beans are from, how they’re roasted and how they’re brewed, adding, “They love a good strong Americano.” Namrata Asthana, co-founder of Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters, says, “Coffee culture in India is no longer just about the beverage in the cup; but about the conversations, connections and experiences around it.” She mentions that Kolkata has always had a strong culture of conversation and community, and coffee naturally fits into that. “Guests love Vietnamese iced coffee and the pour over, she says.What’s brewing in the cup
- Vietnamese iced coffee
- Cold brew
- Americano
- Macchiatos
