Chicory

Chicory root came into the picture then as it resembled the color and aroma of coffee minus the caffeine. Chicory was mixed into the coffee as a substitute, adding a slight bitterness and strong aroma. Today it is the factor that contributes to the distinct taste and aroma of authentic South Indian Filter Coffee.

Beans

It isn’t just the beans that make South Indian filter coffee so unique, though—it’s a combination of how those beans are roasted and ground, brewed, and eventually served. A lot of these practiced rituals, along with the impenetrable sentiment for them, are passed down within families.

Coffee beans from south india

Since the formation of Coffee Board of India in early 1940s, formed to promote coffee production), South India was producing enough arabica and robusta beans not just for domestic consumption but also for export.