Coffee, Tea and Me

Kengonetoindia

Off to India right shortly Being a serious coffee and tea drinker, I'm wondering if it’s safe to get my morning coffee/tea fix just anywhere. I’ll be drinking bottled water for sure but what about the water in local coffee? Can anyone shed light on this or am I going to have give up one of my favorite bad habits?

gs_uppal

Dont worry about the water in your Coffee or Tea , as it is boiled for long.
If your not staying at Costly places in India, you'll get Tea with Milk (Chai as it is called here) and not your Black Tea.
And you'll get your quota of Black Coffee easily in South than North India, or you'll get Nescafe with Milk or the South Indian special of Filter Coffee with Milk (Filter Coffee is the decoction of powdered Roasted Coffee pods & no chicory in it)
In a few days you'll develop taste for these stuff.
All the Best

Shikari

You'll become addicted to chai from the numerous chai stalls and coffee from the Indian Coffee Houses in south India.
Oh, what bliss!!!

indiamike

Being someone in a constant state of 'jitters' this is how I do it for Coffee.

First bring a mug from home. Don't laugh it's worth hauling around. Get one of those big old travel mugs.

Second, buy your own stuff and make your own coffee. Go to any electrical shop and buy an immersion element. Don't buy it in Canada since it won't fit the outlets in India.



Then go to any shop and buy some Nescafe instant coffee (small jar), some coffee creamer and some sugar (don't forget a spoon).

This way as soon as you wake up in the morning you can take some water, boil it up in the cup, and make some coffee as soon as you rise. Otherwise it may take the 'boy' like an hour to get it for you and it will never be fresh coffee unless your in the South of India.

Hey it sound like a lot of work, but it will cost you about half the price to make it yourself and it will be the way you want and when you want it.

A coffee kit, like a first aid kit, should be a necessity in any coffee lovers bag.


See also This Post on boiling water with a immersion element.

Merchant

I've had hot, sweet, frothy drinks in India and couldn't tell whether I was drinking coffee or tea . . .

gs_uppal

Thats at Railway Stations and trains. Never drink Coffee or Tea in either Railway Stations or Trains, you find find the difference.

In South you'll get Udipis (Local restaurants everywhere) but in Hills of North Restaurants are rarity and you'll find streetside dhabas & shanties selling tea.
If you'r a trekker you'll have to get used to these.
Actually these tea (Chai) does taste good in Himachal , Kashmir & Punjab, but not so good in Uttaranchal.

But if you want your own Tea/Coffee the Immersion Rod Idea is great. You can even get a small electric Kettle anywhere in India for Rs 120-150 for boiling Water for Tea/Coffee & even if you want to use boiling water for some precooked packed food like noodles etc.

Kengonetoindia

Now that's exactly what I wanted/needed to hear. Many thanks Mike. Canadian eh?

Digital Drifter

The look on your face when there's a power outage when making coffee....Priceless! :-)

No,no, do take the kit. I say, you must bring it along. you must....

Danni

Does anyone know if decaf coffee is widely available in the south? I know it's sacrilege for true caffeine addicts, but I'm trying to ween myself off. What about herbal teas?

Merchant

The amount of coffee or tea you are served is so small, the caffeine will be less than you're used to. No grandissimo Starbucks cups, just small mugs, even demi-tasses.

vistet

I normally go without coffee in India -absence makes the heart grow fonder etc. - but I can always make a nice cup of tea thanks to my semi-monstrous Trangia kitchen. Nice to have if trekking , otherwise not worth it.

Another good option is a coffe maker in Lexan ; since they use it in cockpits it should be able to take most of what can be thrown at it on groundlevel. See if u can find it in sportsstores . The 300 ml version weighs 144 grams and costs about the same as kitchen models.

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Sahibcol

Leave all your ingrained western habits and tastes behind. When in India, do as the Indians do. Immerse yourself in their culture and habits (not all, mind you). Chai is indeed addictive and surprisingly refreshing, and South Indian coffee simply sublime.

jjacquemain

I drink ALOT of coffee here..about 5 cups per day and when I went to India I never even thought about coffee..I enjoyed the chai.....even when the hotel manager was overcharging me for my stay..I truely enjoyed the "complementary" cup of chai......It was wonderful! But then again I am one of those people who can smoke a cigarette and not want another one......Yeah, you better take the Kit! I suck!

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There is no defense against chaos~

nedhopkins

I found the coffee in India weak to the point of being undrinkable -- except in Tamil Nadu. The tea, or chai, was delicious everywhere -- and in hotels and restaurants as well as airports and railway stations.

Annett

I am a coffee addict as well but when I went to India I always enjoy the chai. If you're more addicted to coffee than I am, try to find out at http www.qwikys.com where the next qwikys shop is. The coffee there is quite good (try the house blend - mmmmh) if you get decaf in India then it should be possible at qwikys. Beside that – I like the immersion rod idea…

!!! Starbucks sucks !!!