Is it safe to drink coffee in India?

dhans · Oct 26th, 2006, 02:37

At least Camelgirl is convinced. It's not the roasting, it's the quality of the beans! 100% Arabica beans gives the best taste, but good quality Robustais better than lousy Arabica. Most coffee sold in the netherlands is a mixture of 2/3 Arabica and 1/3 Robusta.

Hans

Merchant · Oct 26th, 2006, 03:06

FWIW, India does not make great coffee, unless you like the milky, sugary instant stuff poured into a steel tumbler, which has its charm. It's also served in small portions (3-4 ounces). The newish coffee shops all serve the filtered coffee you are used to, but there's nothing Indian about it. India does grow some coffee, but it's not well regarded and I doubt it's even available in India.

marcrey · Oct 26th, 2006, 03:15

Coorg coffee is quite good and well regarded, however I don't think much of it gets exported out of the country (at least to the States)

Nick-H · Oct 26th, 2006, 03:44

Apparently the coffee available here in Chennai is good: but I am not able to drink it so I can't say

PeakXV · Oct 26th, 2006, 03:59

If Coffee ain't black it ain't coffee IMO .... I like the taste of Coffee .... not the taste of Coffee cum sugar cum cream. India does grow some good bean and you can find if for purchase - fresh roasted - in specialty coffee & tea shops throughout India. Buy some India bean and a french press - & have coffee - will travel! Freshness and proper cleaniness in preparation are more important than the origins or altitude the coffee is grown at.

stuart caddy · Oct 26th, 2006, 04:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by groovy grandma

I leave for India for the first time on Friday. I have been told to ask for boiling water. You could take your own instant coffee. This is just a suggestion from someone who has not been there yet but I have been cautioned by Indians to not drink any unboiled water. Hope this suggestion helps.

Indian friends advise me to ask for ground coffee as opposed to instant ( Nescafe )

freenote · Oct 26th, 2006, 04:10

One of the finest drinks i have sampled ,is a glass of strong south indian coffee , liberally laced with some old monk rum

I have found it difficult, at times , to get the waiter to supply both at the same time . It doesnt seem to be understood "i wish to pour the rum into the coffee ,so i need them both at the same time " and you are looked at in amasement .
p.s have drunk gallons of coffee /chia in roadside stalls ,posh restaurants ,dabba's ,hotels etc and have never had a problem ,In fact it has never even concerned me .The worse thing that can possibly happen is that you will be presented with a cup of warm ,weak ,sweet, nescafe . Yuk

smallsquirrel · Oct 26th, 2006, 11:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by dhans

we do have the best coffee in the world, with the italian espresso coming close second ;-)
Hans

ahem. AHEM! I think you've lost it! Italy second to Netherlands for coffee?

mani · Oct 26th, 2006, 14:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

FWIW, India does not make great coffee, unless you like the milky, sugary instant stuff poured into a steel tumbler, which has its charm. It's also served in small portions (3-4 ounces). The newish coffee shops all serve the filtered coffee you are used to, but there's nothing Indian about it. India does grow some coffee, but it's not well regarded and I doubt it's even available in India.

FYI 2/3 of the coffee that you drink in italy comes from India. We have some of the best coffees in the world.

Try the plantation A or Peaberry or since you are in US try the Monsooned vareity- you dont get it in India since almost all of it is exported.

I personally like the plantation A which has a sweet aftertaste and is yummy with or without sugar and milk.

with reference to weather you should drink tea/coffee in india then Yes drink it anywhere and enjoy, milk and water are boiled and keep boiling though out the day so no fear of bacteria. ask for your tea in the earthen pots and enjoy it.

As everyone has explained Most of the coffee that you will be served will be nescafe instant coffee. If you need your fix of esspresso then try barista/ cafe coffee day outlets in all big cites. If you dont mind the milk and sugar then try the filter coffee in any south indian restautant. if you dont want the sugar tell them not to add it and enjoy your coffee.

The choice beverage in north, west and east India should be tea
while south India drink filter coffee

regards
mani

greenchutney · Oct 26th, 2006, 14:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

FWIW, India does not make great coffee, unless you like the milky, sugary instant stuff poured into a steel tumbler, which has its charm. It's also served in small portions (3-4 ounces). The newish coffee shops all serve the filtered coffee you are used to, but there's nothing Indian about it. India does grow some coffee, but it's not well regarded and I doubt it's even available in India.

ahem.....

tut tut tut......

you can read at the coffee board of india... a semi autonomous body... including taking a course appropriatly titled kaapi-shastra there

http://www.indiacoffee.org/

smallsquirrel · Oct 26th, 2006, 14:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by mani

FYI 2/3 of the coffee that you drink in italy comes from India. We have some of the best coffees in the world.

While I agree that India produces world-class coffee, it is incorrect that 2/3rds of the coffee in Italy comes from India... it's usually imported from Brazil or Costa Rica.

smallsquirrel · Oct 26th, 2006, 14:59

Quote:

Originally Posted by Merchant

India does grow some coffee, but it's not well regarded and I doubt it's even available in India.

I wonder what I was drinking all last week in Coorg then?

freenote · Oct 26th, 2006, 15:04

And what about the coffee to be had in the India coffee houses .
They are to be found all over india and as they are an organization set up by coffee growers ,they serve some of the best .Enjoy

PortieOwner · Oct 26th, 2006, 21:32

My wife or mother-in-law make coffee in India the following way. Put a pot on the burner and bring the water to a boil. Then fresh grind the coffee beans (I am almost certain these are S. Indian beans). Then those grindings are added to the boiling water, the pot is taken off the stove and allowed to steep for a few minutes (I think they make tea the same way). It's pretty good coffee, made identically to the method we use when we are camping!

Portie

TimMakins · Oct 26th, 2006, 22:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by mani

FYI 2/3 of the coffee that you drink in italy comes from India. We have some of the best coffees in the world.

... since you are in US try the Monsooned vareity- you dont get it in India since almost all of it is exported.

It goes to England too: in 'Bettys of Harrogate' they sell the lovely 'Monsoon Malabar Mysore'. The name rolls off the tounge, and the coffee, when brewed, rolls down it very well too!!

BEWARE ALL EXPATS: Do you dare to to visit Betty's Online Shop?! One click, and you'll be reaching for your credit-card!!

Tim in England

Oct 26th, 2006, 02:37	#31
dhans Uru Buru member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,564	At least Camelgirl is convinced. It's not the roasting, it's the quality of the beans! 100% Arabica beans gives the best taste, but good quality Robustais better than lousy Arabica. Most coffee sold in the netherlands is a mixture of 2/3 Arabica and 1/3 Robusta. Hans __________________ Tips for trips to India with (young) children: India with kids Stories about our travels in India: Journal

Oct 26th, 2006, 03:15	#33
marcrey Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: USA Posts: 16	Actually Coorg coffee is quite good and well regarded, however I don't think much of it gets exported out of the country (at least to the States)

Oct 26th, 2006, 03:44	#34
Nick-H Loud-mouthed, Noisy Bird Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 27,692	Apparently the coffee available here in Chennai is good: but I am not able to drink it so I can't say __________________ . Just one member of the IndiaMike Mod Team

Oct 26th, 2006, 03:59	#35
PeakXV Naan.tering Nabob Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Abode of Glooscap Posts: 4,333	If Coffee ain't black it ain't coffee IMO .... I like the taste of Coffee .... not the taste of Coffee cum sugar cum cream. India does grow some good bean and you can find if for purchase - fresh roasted - in specialty coffee & tea shops throughout India. Buy some India bean and a french press - & have coffee - will travel! Freshness and proper cleaniness in preparation are more important than the origins or altitude the coffee is grown at. __________________ We shall not cease from exploration and at the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started ...and know the place for the first time. T.S. Eliot Don't go to India ~ Pre-trip Warnings & Misconceptions?

Oct 26th, 2006, 04:10	#37
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,548	One of the finest drinks i have sampled ,is a glass of strong south indian coffee , liberally laced with some old monk rum I have found it difficult, at times , to get the waiter to supply both at the same time . It doesnt seem to be understood "i wish to pour the rum into the coffee ,so i need them both at the same time " and you are looked at in amasement . p.s have drunk gallons of coffee /chia in roadside stalls ,posh restaurants ,dabba's ,hotels etc and have never had a problem ,In fact it has never even concerned me .The worse thing that can possibly happen is that you will be presented with a cup of warm ,weak ,sweet, nescafe . Yuk Last edited by freenote : Oct 26th, 2006 at 14:55.

Oct 26th, 2006, 03:06	#32
Merchant Maha Guru Member Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: New York Posts: 2,096	FWIW, India does not make great coffee, unless you like the milky, sugary instant stuff poured into a steel tumbler, which has its charm. It's also served in small portions (3-4 ounces). The newish coffee shops all serve the filtered coffee you are used to, but there's nothing Indian about it. India does grow some coffee, but it's not well regarded and I doubt it's even available in India.

Oct 26th, 2006, 15:04	#43
freenote senior member refused Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: cornwall UK Posts: 1,548	And what about the coffee to be had in the India coffee houses . They are to be found all over india and as they are an organization set up by coffee growers ,they serve some of the best .Enjoy

Oct 26th, 2006, 21:32	#44
PortieOwner Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Maryland Posts: 351	My wife or mother-in-law make coffee in India the following way. Put a pot on the burner and bring the water to a boil. Then fresh grind the coffee beans (I am almost certain these are S. Indian beans). Then those grindings are added to the boiling water, the pot is taken off the stove and allowed to steep for a few minutes (I think they make tea the same way). It's pretty good coffee, made identically to the method we use when we are camping! Portie

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