Is it safe to drink coffee in India?

Indianworker

Just had my first coffee this morning and no problems. Have drunken coffee and tea for the last year and 8 months in India and had no probs - even chai on the street!

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Indianworker

ghummakadz

Just to second what everybody else said...Indian coffee should be okay to drink, health-wise. Just be aware that a lot of places serve the strange, milky Nescafe-based concoction. For coffee that's a bit more "Western", you're better off going to Barista, Costa, or Cafe Coffee Day or like that.

If you're seriously picky about coffee (and my family is) roll through Starbuck's or Peet's before leaving the States, and pick up a French Press commuter mug, and maybe some of your favorite coffee grind. Then, wherever you are, all you have to do is order up boiled water. South Indian coffee is also quite good. We use Devan's coffee beans from Kerala, and are pretty happy with those.

ladyvetphd

As others have suggested, there is really no harm in drinnking coffee, since the water is always boiled. If you want really good coffee ask for filter coffee in Udupi restaraunts. The indian coffee board also runs coffee shops in several small towns and cities, where you can get good fresh brewed filter coffee, although as otehrs have suggested, it will come premixed with milk and sugar.

edwardseco

The only coffee to have is South Indian poured out in the traditional method at extended arms length vertical. Miss that..

tasuray

I have travelled in many parts of India.I've never faced any problem.The places you have mentioned will get good coffee shops viz. 'Barrista'or 'Cafe Coffee Day'etc.Hope it will be no problem.India is one of the biggest coffee producer in the world.

capt_mahajan

Indian coffee, specially south indian coffee, is better than baristas, coffee day and starbucks.... combined!.

and no, you normally will not have problems with coffee anywhere.

dhans

You'll probably get instant anyway, so as long as the water has been boiled...

Where normally in the Netherlands I would not even consider going near tea (we do have the best coffee in the world, with the italian espresso coming close second ;-) ), in India I've learned to drink chai, as the coffee is almost always a disappointment.

Hans

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Nick-H

Being a tea adict I frequently have to stop at road-side teashops when I feel withdrawal symptoms coming on. Mrs N says I should ask for the disposable cups --- but they are so small, so I don't!

It is a good idea, though: the tea/coffee may be boiled but the glasses are quite likely washed in grubby water.

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dhans

Eventually you'll die anyhow...

punchinello

I think every country tells itself that. For me, I don't think I'll bother with coffee, even though it's the only substance that I've ever felt physical withdrawals (headaches, general tiredness) from. I think that without local knowledge, which you need even in good coffee towns, it would be very hard to find a decent coffee. Anyway, why bother? I hear the chai is a speciality...

dhans

OK, OK, a bit OT, but anyhow

In the Netherlands we do tend to sell our best quality stuff abroad. So you'll find a much better quality of Dutch vegetables, fish, oysters, mussels, meat etc. abroad than you will find in the average Netherlands supermarkets. Completely in line with all the prejudices Dutchmen don't seem willing to pay for good quality stuff.

There are three distinct exceptions: cheese, liquorice (drop) and coffee. Dutch cheese you'll buy abroad is most of the times not really dutch, but local fakes (IMFC ). Drop is best in the Netherlands because it's an acquired taste.

Coffee is a different thing. Since the 17th century Amsterdam has been (an for part still is) the worldcengter of the coffeetrade. Since then totally out of line with normal practice best quality coffees have been kept for the Dutch own use and the lower qualities were sold abroad.

Enjoy your chai,

Hans

Nick-H

Oh sure!

It's sitting in the toilet, bucket in one hand, clutching stomach with the other that worries most people! Especially when it takes up good holiday time

I'm reminded of the 'two stages of seasickness'... stage one is thinking you are going to die. Stage two is being afraid that you are not!!!!!

punchinello

I didn't know that Hans. Australia, well, Melbourne and Sydney, anyway, are, according to the parochial grapevine, great coffee wise - many say as good as Italy. Last time I was in Italy, I was only drinking hot chocolate, which was fantastic. But I wouldn't know. Anyway, it's all about who makes it for me and that requires more local knowledge than I'll be able to gather at any stage while I'm in India. It's probably just as hard to find really good coffee where I live in Sydney, but I already know where to go and where to avoid.

PortieOwner

Does anyone carry around their own cup or set of paper cups for these situations? Seems like a good idea apart from the hassle of carrying something around. Some of the higher-end dhabas do sell the stuff in a plastic cup to everyone.

Portie

camelgirl

I carry my own cup a few herbal & regular teabags (buy more there) and an immersion water heater but only for room use when I'm too lazy, tired or sick to go out for a hot beverage.

And Hans must admit that I just returned from the Netherlands with a kilo (500 regular, 500 decaf) of coffee.....and also a box of liquorice. I do think the coffee is the best but I sure don't know why. It isn't grown there so it must be the way it's roasted. By the way, good novel called The Coffee Trader, forget the author, takes place in 17th Century Amsterdam. Published about 3 years ago.