Many things have changed, but the thing we can't seem to cut out of our routine (more like, cannot live without despite battling unforeseeable circumstances) is coffee. So, here's how we loaded up on caffeine from our favourite local brands, at the click of a button in 2020 and will continue to do so in the coming year. We believe you will love them as much we did, so go on, stock up on your supplies too and every day with a fresh cuppa!
22 Of The Best Homegrown Coffee Brands We Loved In 2021
Black Baza Coffee Company
Black Baza sees your regular cup of coffee and raises the bar. Named after a small bird of prey found in the coffee-growing Western Ghats, Black Baza Coffee is particularly concerned about its ecological footprint. All the coffee they sell comes from farms that follow biodiversity-friendly practices. You can pick from the Luna Roast, the Aspire to Otter, or the Black Baza Roast. Plus, we are avid fans of Black Baza Coffee at LBB. You can order from their website and get it delivered at your doorstep.
The Indian Bean
Coffee beans from Coorg and Kodaikanal are carefully packed into little pouches, custom-ground, and delivered to you from The Indian Bean. The Malnad Coffee seems built for a classic glass of filter coffee, while we like the Watapi Coffee for a good mug of black coffee. They also offer Bello Coffee and Frowner's Coffee (if you like espresso).
Panduranga Coffee
The Chikmagalur-based coffee roasters have a cult following, and for good reason. Their Grand Aroma, an 85-15 blend of coffee and chicory, is a favourite. Their only outlet is now in Chikmagalur, but they’ll send across their coffee to Bangalore. You can also buy their coffee through their website.
Halli Berri
Low acidity, high on aroma and single-origin, Halli Berry coffee will ensure you start the day on the right notes — with a full-bodied cuppa. And they’re no-nonsense so forget about the chicory, insta-coffee and other sacrilegious stuff — it’s 100 per cent Arabica here. Send your requirements directly to info@halliberri.com and buy them.
Leo Coffee India
From the Palini Hills in Tamil Nadu comes the single-estate coffee of Leo, perfect for that cup of hot filter coffee. While they do have instant coffee powder (umm, really guys?), we love their Peaberry blend which is strong and gives you quite a kick. Second to that is the House Blend followed by the Little Flower — a single-estate origin that is 100 per cent Arabica. Check out their yearly subscriptions as you can get great discounts on them.
Sleepy Owl
Sleepy Owl's coffee is an instant pick me up and their cold brews are some of the best on the market! Started by three friends, freshness is at the core of this brand. For proof, know that their Arabica coffee beans grown in Chikmagalur are roasted only in small batches and on-demand. We are addicted to their Original hot brew (that you can brew in 5 minutes) and the Dark Roast Cold Brew (INR 500 for a pack of five). They also have a DIY cold brew kit with which you can whip up your favourite iced latte at home! They're also easy to shop for now that they're available on LBB (yay!).
Greenbrrew
For the health conscious crew, Shop On LBB has coffee that will keep you in shape or rather help you get there quicker! Greenbrrew is India's first instant green coffee brand that is energy boosting and amps up that metabolism (win-win). They use 100 percent unroasted Arabica coffee beans that aids better in weight loss. What has us even more excited are the flavours. Lemon, Hazelnut, Dark Chocolate or Tulsi, they've got it all. We suggest bagging the Ethiopian Green Apple Cinnamon and for those who miss roasted coffee, the Cappuccino flavours. Prices start at INR 300 for a 30g pack.
Rise Up
Filter Coffee crazies, are you in for a fun ride or what! This South Indian, full-flavoured brew from a local brand, Rise Up leaves us singing in the mornings. Here's why. Rise Up is older than independence (1938) and uses only Arabica coffee beans from its estates in Chikmagalur. This is then ground and roasted using German machinery. We like how you get to pick and choose filter coffee blends in varying degrees of strength and aroma. Finally, whatever you choose, rest assured that it will be a rounded full-bodied drink as each of their blends is a 70-30 blend of coffee and chicory. They're available on LBB and are priced between INR 100 to INR 160.
Savorworks Roasters
This is one of the newest brands we've been digging lately. It is artisanal, high-quality, speciality coffee (all the adjectives we like to associate with coffee) grown on the Shevaroy Hills in Tamil Nadu (a spot that has been growing coffee for a century!). The coffee names and blends makes this brand all the more interesting. For example, the Honey I'm Nuts Honey Processed Coffee (INR 450 for 250gms) is processed over 36 hours and slow dried for 21 days to produce a bold-bodied coffee with flavours of vanilla, prune and caramelized bananas. Mmmmh! There's the Boss's Wife, a sweet and complex espresso (milk chocolate, toffee) and a dark chocolatey, maple syrup-y Riverdale Blend too.
Beanly
Beanly isn't messing around when it comes to its cuppa that is absolutely fresh and can be conveniently brewed without expensive equipment. How? Well, this brand sells pour-over and dip coffees in a single-serve avatar and in a proprietary near-zero oxygen packaging to preserve freshness. All you have to do is, tear, anchor and brew (read instructions) and in seconds you will have coffee! Beanly also makes it clear that this isn't instant coffee but coffee that can be made instantly. A pack of 10 sachets costs INR 350. You can pick from blends of organic and master and different roast profiles.
Coffeeza
To take your coffee brewing experience up a notch give Coffeeza a go (available on shop on LBB). This gourmet coffee company makes coffee in a capsule! All you have to do is load the capsule in a coffee making machine and push a button for espresso or cappuccino. You have flavours of chocolate, hazelnut brownie and a decaf option too. Each capsule has 5gms of coffee, is a 100 percent premium Arabica blend and a pack of 10 will cost you INR 450.
Bili Hu
If you call yourself a coffee connoisseur, you've definitely heard of or savoured a cup of coffee from Bili Hu at a restaurant. If not, you can now brew it at home. Named after the coffee flower in Kannada, Bili Hu offers premium Indian coffee from its estates in Chikmagalur. They've got Robusta Arabica Blend, a Cold Brew Blend and Balur Estate Coffee that has notes of milk chocolate and cranberries, yum! You must also try the extra-bold Mysore Nugget a single-estate coffee that has chocolate overtones. Get them online on LBB's Dessert Bazaar.
The Wandering Bean
Another of our favourite catches has to be The Wandering Bean for its unique blends! These self-proclaimed "flavour fanatics" have taken the run of the mill brew and infused it with interesting flavours. The result is handcrafted coffee which screams fun and delicious in its flavour, aromas and texture. Go bonkers choosing from Nutty Hazelnut, Vanilla Cinnamon, Choco Orange, Creamy Caramel or French Vanilla and more! Who needs Starbuck anything anymore, eh? Get onto LBB's Dessert Bazaar and buy, buy, buy!
Cohoma Coffee Company
Peeps who live life on a fast track but still need their cuppa despite lacking the time to brew one, say hello to Cohoma Coffee Company. Their Drip Coffee Bags come with a filter of its own so you won't need any additional equipment to brew the perfect cup even when at home. And for those of you returning back to work, the On-The-Go BrewCup means you have your very own coffee to sip on anytime! Cohoma has flavoured variants too, like Cinnamon Hazelnut, French Vanilla and Classic Roasted. Order away on LBB, we suggest getting the Experience Hamper.
Country Bean
We are mighty impressed by the innovative coffee flavours by Country Bean Coffee. They come as a breath of fresh air, we mean literally too like their Cocoa Mint Coffee. For anybody who likes to experiment this is the brand for you. You get to pick from flavours of Hazelnut Caramel, Choco, Orange, Basic & Mixed Berries or even a Turmeric Latte. They coffee is 100% instant and trust us, will break the everyday monotony. Order your pick from Shop On LBB today!
Rage Coffee
Vitamin infused coffee? Exactly why Rage Coffee had to be on our list! They used a 100% Arabica beans to produce premium quality instant coffee, so you won't need other paraphernalia to brew the perfect cup. You can buy Rage Coffee on LBB in flavours of Dark Chocolate, Orange or Caramel in either jars or coffee shot tubes.
Kohi Roasters India
Korebi Coffee
Korebi Coffee has six variants of coffee, of which we highly recommend the Medium Roast Hot & Cold Brewbag, an exquisite 100% Arabica Ground Coffee straight from estates of Coorg. The beans are roasted in-house for maintaining freshness and consistency. They also have a ready-to-use Liquid Coffee which only requires you to add some hot milk and voila! Check 'em out on our most loved Dessert Bazaar.
Perfetto
Perfetto has a whole lot of lovely flavours, but for an ideal match for coffee, pick the hazelnut, vanilla or caramel. There’s also mint, nutty almond, cardamon and chocolate orange if you’re feeling adventurous. These ones are great for those who are not hard-core coffee drinkers, and if you’re not a snob! Because while the flavour is on point in the instant powders from Perfetto, you will find them a bit mild. But for those mid-morning coffees, or those catch up sessions with friends, then this flavoured coffee is perfetto for you!
Read more here.
Subko Coffee
Marc's Coffee
Marc's Coffee has been around for a while, and we love the freshly roasted coffee that Marc roasts, grinds and ships out of Pondicherry. While they have a massive selection, and the website may seem overwhelming, it really isn't as they have sorted the coffees into simple formats for noobs. Light, medium and dark roasts, international ones, signature blends and even specialty or single estate coffees are on offer. Since they make it in small batches, you'll need to keep track of the signature ones, especially. Buma Devi, a signature blend, gets our vote. Earthy, strong and slightly sharp, we recommend having this one with milk. For a light brew with hints of caramel and malt, try the Monsooned Malabar.
Araku Coffee
Hand-picked by the farmers in the Araku Valley, they currently have four roasts on offer. The Grande Reserve is strong and bold - you might want to add both milk and sugar to it too. Try the Signature variant for a bit of a bitter-sweet flavour, with chocolate and spices coming through. Selection is a tad pungent and bold, so don't start your coffee journey with that. Micro Climate is for you if a mellow and creamy is your kind of coffee.
Pro-Tip
A good place to discover coffee brands beyond just this list would be to head LBB Shop's Coffee Section. Enjoy!