Kannan's Kaapi: The Best I found In Coimbatore
Cross-cut road in Coimbatore is a busy road with many shops, temples, eateries, street food and pretty much everything in one place. There was a sudden aroma of coffee in the street, it was strong and pleasant. That is how I found this small coffee shop, Kannan’s kaapi, quite accidentally.
The crowd inside the small shop enough made sure that it was a place people didn’t miss coming to the cross-cut road. I was not sure about going in at first but then gave in because of the aroma. Then I saw this antique looking machinery which was interesting.
The rates were as cheap as it can get Rs. 15 for coffee and Rs. Hot badam. Those are the only two things they served there but there were a lot of people who visited the place. Once I entered the shop, it was clear, it was not just for the coffee or hot chocolate that all of them came. Most of them came to buy the coffee powder in bulk. Not coffee, its Kaapi to be exact.
Kaapi is not just another word for coffee or a language thing, but its different from the usual milk coffee you get in other parts of India. It can be easily noticed when the “Masala chai, garam chai” changes to “Kaapi Kaapi” while crossing borders in Indian railways.
Kaapi is made by grinding the roasted beans and brewing it. It won’t get mixed in water or milk like the instant coffee powder. That is how “filter coffee” is famous and different from instant coffee. Just to notice the taste difference, you can try filter coffee from any south Indian restaurants or Indian Coffee House outlets, which are there in every state of India. Nowadays, there are instant-ready-to- serve sachets of filter coffee that are also available.
I have never heard of this brand’s name before but it turns out it is a well-established brand popular in Tamil Nadu. People who use this coffee powder come here to buy it after several generations. Now, it was time for me to try the coffee and I ordered an espresso and it was prepared in a modern vending machine.
I asked if I am allowed to take pictures inside the shop and the staff refused except for the grinding machine. So, I took that and of the coffee I bought. People kept coming and go, some new, some regulars and coffee powder was weighed and packed at the same time.
There were packaged once too. Other than coffee, there were tea packages from the same brand. Long chains of small sachets, a huge register to write down the accounts, the place had a different vibe. An old one but very pleasant.
The coffee was good, really good. There are only a few ones which truly refresh your mind. This one definitely is of that quality. The right amount of sugar and the combination of milk made the coffee just perfect. This happened on the first-day in Coimbatore.
Today, the third day, I’m packing to move to the next destination and went out to try mutton biriyani, which didn’t end well and was searching for a coffee place to keep me awake to finish all the packing chores.
I found this small outlet of Kannan’s Kaapi on the way back and immediately went to buy the coffee I loved on the first day. Sadly, they didn’t sell the coffee, it was an outlet to sell their products. But, the staff was nice enough to tell me more about it, as I was the only customer at that time.
The same golden antique grinding machine was present here also. That is how I spot Kannan’s kaapi now. I thought it was only a display piece when I first went but it is not. It is used to grind the beans every day. Around 34 Kilograms are ground in a day and are sold.
He showed me the roasted beans but was not allowed to take pictures of it. The brown beans that we see on the billboards of coffee ads. The coffee powder kept in a large vessel is packed as per the requirement of the customer and sealed. This ground powder will stay upto 6 months.
I didn’t get to drink a coffee there but I packed 50 gms of the coffee powder. I am told not to keep it in this plastic bag once opened but to transfer it to a bottle. That way, both aroma and flavour will be preserved. I have no idea when and where I will get to brew them on the road. But, it was a purchase that is worth.
Further talking about the company and coffee, the company is situated at a place called Thudiyalur in Coimbatore. The plants are grown in Chikmanglore, where the climate is more apt for coffee plants.
On a side note, he said the coffee from Ooty and other hill stations near that area in Tamil Nadu is not that great and Karnataka has the ambient climate and the coffee from there is better. Well, that was good information considering those are my next destinations.
As usual these days, I searched for this coffee brand and found their website, which made it easier to confirm the name of the place he was talking about.
Here is the link to the site if anyone is interested in ordering online [No, this is not an affiliate link].
They do have an instant coffee mix too. There were tea powder packages too for sale. 1 Kg of Tea powder costs Rs. 300 while one Kilogram of coffee powder costs Rs. 2000. And the fact that all of the ground coffee powder gets sold out in a day proves the demand and quality of Kanna’s Kaapi.
Restaurant Information
Kannan's Jubilee Kaapi
52, Cross Cut Rd, Gandhipuram, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu 641012, India
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