Across small-town India, a burgeoning specialty coffee culture is challenging the country's profound tea-drinking heritage, particularly in the north. Entrepreneurs like Harmanpreet Singh, who opened Buland Café in Jalandhar during the pandemic, are at the forefront of this movement. While coffee has long been favored in the southern states, the change is evident: more than 44% of Indians now indulge in coffee as reported by CRISIL, with a growing appetite for unique, artisanal concoctions.
The Rise of Specialty Coffee in Small-Town India
The Rise of Specialty Coffee in Small-Town India
As specialty coffee catches on, a cultural shift transforms the traditional tea-drinking landscape in northern India.
Singh, who sought knowledge from Bengaluru, realized the rising interest in specialty brews amid the country's youth, prompting him to perfect not only coffee making but the overall customer experience in his cafes. Buland Café's success, now boasting 40 outlets, symbolizes a broader trend—a pivot from traditional tea towards carefully crafted coffee, reflecting a change in consumer preferences.
While cities of the south previously held the coffee market, tier-two towns now experience a boom, fueled by remote work and social gatherings. Owners note that patrons are willing to pay for intricately roasted blends and custom coffee experiences. Bharat Singhal of Billi Hu roasteries notes that caffeine enthusiasts are increasingly well-versed in coffee origins, leading to a rise in subscription-based orders by 50%.
Historically, coffee houses have been part of Indian culture since the 1900s and began to see a change in the 90s as economic liberalization introduced private cafés to younger crowds. The entrance of Starbucks in 2012 sparked an explosion of local brands which now compete even in smaller markets. This shift is attributed not just to taste but to the aesthetics of modern cafés, aided by social media's influence on consumer choices.
New cafés like Nishant Sinha's Roastery Coffee House in Lucknow are catering to this trend with chic settings and free Wi-Fi, while Jatin Khurana of Urban Buhkkad in Ludhiana offers a nostalgic twist with his reimagined wedding coffee, blending instant coffee with freshly ground beans for a modern touch.
Though growth looks promising, challenges persist for small business owners, from the difficulty of sourcing quality equipment to the high costs of quality ingredients. Meanwhile, Neha Das and Nishant Ashish’s The Eden's café in Ranchi highlights the importance of dedication, long-term commitment to quality, and customer connection to navigate the sector successfully.
As the landscape of Indian beverages evolves, these industry players remain determined to capture the essence of coffee culture in their communities, transforming tastes and enriching social experiences one cup at a time.
While cities of the south previously held the coffee market, tier-two towns now experience a boom, fueled by remote work and social gatherings. Owners note that patrons are willing to pay for intricately roasted blends and custom coffee experiences. Bharat Singhal of Billi Hu roasteries notes that caffeine enthusiasts are increasingly well-versed in coffee origins, leading to a rise in subscription-based orders by 50%.
Historically, coffee houses have been part of Indian culture since the 1900s and began to see a change in the 90s as economic liberalization introduced private cafés to younger crowds. The entrance of Starbucks in 2012 sparked an explosion of local brands which now compete even in smaller markets. This shift is attributed not just to taste but to the aesthetics of modern cafés, aided by social media's influence on consumer choices.
New cafés like Nishant Sinha's Roastery Coffee House in Lucknow are catering to this trend with chic settings and free Wi-Fi, while Jatin Khurana of Urban Buhkkad in Ludhiana offers a nostalgic twist with his reimagined wedding coffee, blending instant coffee with freshly ground beans for a modern touch.
Though growth looks promising, challenges persist for small business owners, from the difficulty of sourcing quality equipment to the high costs of quality ingredients. Meanwhile, Neha Das and Nishant Ashish’s The Eden's café in Ranchi highlights the importance of dedication, long-term commitment to quality, and customer connection to navigate the sector successfully.
As the landscape of Indian beverages evolves, these industry players remain determined to capture the essence of coffee culture in their communities, transforming tastes and enriching social experiences one cup at a time.
