Love Filter Coffee? 8 Facts You Probably Didn't Know About It

Credits: Canva

Credits: Canva

1. It’s Actually A Colonial Inheritance

The traditional South Indian filter coffee we know today took form during British colonial times when coffee plantations flourished across Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.

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2. Chicory Is A Secret Ingredient

Unlike regular coffee, South Indian filter coffee often blends coffee beans with roasted chicory root, adding a deeper, slightly nutty flavour.

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3. The "Filter" Is A Special Device

The filter isn’t just any strainer; it’s a small, two-part metal contraption where gravity and patience work together to brew a concentrated decoction.

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4. It’s Made With Specific Beans

Filter coffee is typically made with Arabica or Robusta beans grown in the lush plantations of Karnataka’s Chikmagalur, Coorg, and Tamil Nadu’s Nilgiris.

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5. The "Tumbler And Dabara" Are Part Of The Ritual

The iconic steel tumbler and dabara (or dabarah) set is functional. Pouring the coffee back and forth between them cools it and creates that signature frothy top!

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6. It’s Linked To Community And Conversation

In South India, especially in Brahmin households and old-school cafés, filter coffee is a symbol of hospitality and connection.

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7. Filter Coffee And Instant Coffee Are Worlds Apart

Instant coffee sacrifices flavour for speed, but filter coffee is about depth, strength, and ceremony.

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8. There’s A "Degree Coffee"

In some traditional coffee houses, you’ll find "Degree Coffee," a term that refers to a perfectly brewed, strong decoction.

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These facts about filter coffee highlight its rich history and cultural significance.