By his own admission, Nikhil Kamath wasn’t always a coffee guy. Until three years ago, he was sipping green tea like many others who’d bought into its health halo. But that’s history now! On his YouTube podcast, Kamath shared how his beverage loyalty has flipped entirely.
Nikhil Kamath’s Coffee Obsession
As seen on WTF podcast by Nikhil Kamath, billionaire investor and Zerodha founder made a revelation on his podcast that will amaze every coffee-lover. “I didn’t drink coffee three years ago. Now, I feel like crap if I don’t have two coffees a day. I used to have green tea. Somebody sold me the concept that green tea is very healthy. Like everything in life, it’s cyclical. Now, when I look at a green tea bag, I think of microplastics,” Kamath said.
That last line hits differently, because it’s true. Green tea, due to its not-so-conventionally-tasty flavour does not appear favourable to many of us. It does not look like antioxidants, or wellness, rather it looks like mere tiny plastics. What Kamath’s casually brutal honesty captures is a mood shift happening with a lot of people.
Coffee Vs Green Tea Debate
For years, green tea felt like the clean, zen choice with its gently caffeinated and full of antioxidants aura. And for the same timeline, coffee was just for workaholics trying to beat deadlines. But those labels feel outdated now. Coffee brings more energy, bolder flavor, and, let’s be honest, a bit of personality. That said, green tea’s wellness reputation isn’t baseless. It’s genuinely rich in antioxidants like EGCG, which help combat cell damage and inflammation. Thanks to a unique mix of l-theanine and moderate caffeine, green tea also supports calm focus.
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Nikhil Kamath’s Bet On Coffee
Kamath’s not just talking about coffee, but he’s betting on it. In 2025, he invested around ₹4-5 crore in Café Amudham, a fast-growing South Indian quick-service chain that’s all about strong filter coffee and crispy dosas. It’s positioned as a direct rival to The Rameshwaram Cafe, so there’s real market heat there. And it doesn’t stop at the food court. Kamath also backed Subko Coffee Roasters, leading a $10 million funding round. Subko is selling traceability, design-driven cafés, and ready-to-drink cans aimed at India’s younger, sharper coffee crowd.
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So where does this leave the great green tea vs. coffee debate? If you’re hoping for a grand verdict, don’t. As Kamath’s own shift shows, these choices evolve; one day it’s green tea, the next it’s black coffee with no sugar, please. And maybe that’s exactly how it should be.
Cover Image Courtesy: nikhilkamath/youtube
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