From Bean to Brand: How India’s Coffee Houses Are Crafting Cult Followings

Gone are the days when coffee in India was just an occasional indulgence served in steel tumblers at home or the neighborhood tea stall. Today, coffee has transcended its humble roots to become a lifestyle symbol—a culture, an identity, and in many cases, a cult phenomenon. What once started as niche cafés in metro cities has bloomed into sprawling chains and thriving coffee house franchise businesses across India. But how did this transformation happen? And what makes some coffee houses so magnetic that they develop loyal communities and followers? Let’s brew into this rich story. The Evolution of Coffee Culture in India In the 1990s and early 2000s, instant coffee brands largely monopolized India’s coffee scene. However, global exposure, foreign travel, and the rise of a cosmopolitan workforce brought about a silent revolution—people no longer wanted quick caffeine fixes; they craved experiences. This shift gave birth to specialty coffee shops and later fueled the massive grow...