The Morning Ritual's Hidden Secret
The quintessential South Indian filter coffee experience is built on a blend of coffee and chicory. This isn't a modern invention; it's a tradition with deep roots. Brands proudly display ratios like 80:20 or 70:30, but what do they truly signify? For
the average consumer, this shorthand is often ambiguous. Does it mean 80% coffee and 20% chicory, or the other way around? This lack of universal clarity is the heart of the issue. While loyalists of a particular brand might know its composition, a new customer or someone trying a different brand is left guessing. This ambiguity undermines a consumer's ability to make an informed choice about the taste, strength, and cost of their daily brew. The pleasure of coffee is in its nuances, and those nuances begin with a clear understanding of what you're buying.
A History Steeped in Necessity
Chicory’s presence in coffee isn't an accident; it’s a practice born from history and economics. The tradition dates back to 19th-century France, where coffee shortages during times of conflict led people to mix roasted chicory root, which was cheaper and more available, into their coffee grounds to stretch the supply. This practice was introduced to India, particularly the South, during the British colonial era. Initially a cost-saving measure, the blend became popular for the unique characteristics it imparted. Chicory, the roasted root of a plant from the dandelion family, adds a distinct nutty, somewhat earthy flavour and gives the decoction a thicker body and a deeper colour. Over time, what started as a necessity evolved into a preference, defining the beloved taste profile of traditional filter 'kaapi'.
Why the Ratio Matters for Taste and Wallet
The proportion of chicory in a blend has a significant impact on both flavour and price. Chicory is considerably cheaper than coffee. Therefore, a blend with a higher chicory content should, in principle, be more affordable. Without clear labelling, consumers can't assess if the price they are paying is fair for the amount of actual coffee they are getting. Taste is also heavily influenced by the ratio. A higher percentage of chicory results in a bolder, more bitter, and thicker decoction, but with less caffeine, as chicory is naturally caffeine-free. An 80:20 blend (80% coffee, 20% chicory) is often considered the 'gold standard' for a balanced, aromatic cup. A 70:30 or 60:40 blend will be much heavier and more bitter, which some prefer, but it fundamentally changes the coffee's character. The choice should belong to the consumer, armed with clear information.
The Simple Path to Transparency
The solution isn't to remove chicory from coffee. Chicory is an integral part of a cherished cultural tradition. The solution is transparency. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has already moved in this direction. New regulations, set to be effective from July 1, 2026, mandate that every package of a coffee-chicory mixture must clearly display the exact percentage of both coffee and chicory on the front of the pack. This is a crucial step forward. Instead of just a ratio, a label should explicitly state: “This blend contains 70% Coffee and 30% Chicory.” This simple change removes all ambiguity, allowing consumers to directly compare different brands and blends based on their preference for taste, strength, and budget. It empowers them to experiment with different ratios knowingly, rather than through trial and error.
Empowering the Coffee Lover
Ultimately, this is a matter of consumer rights. Food labelling laws exist to protect consumers from misleading information and to help them make informed choices. For years, the regulations around coffee-chicory blends have been inconsistently applied, with some brands failing to declare percentages at all. The upcoming FSSAI rule is a welcome and necessary correction. It respects the tradition of chicory blends while upholding the consumer's right to know exactly what they are purchasing. It ensures that 'pure coffee' means 100% coffee and that any blend is clearly defined. This clarity benefits everyone: consumers can buy with confidence, and brands that pride themselves on their specific, high-quality blends can communicate that value more effectively.
