The End of the Guessing Game
For years, Indian coffee drinkers have navigated a confusing landscape. Packages of coffee-chicory blends often buried the composition details in fine print on the back, leaving shoppers to guess the ratio. This ambiguity is set to end. The Food Safety
and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) has mandated a major change in labelling. Starting from July 1, 2026, all packages of coffee-chicory mixtures must prominently display the exact percentage of both ingredients on the front of the pack. This new regulation, an amendment to the Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) Regulations, 2020, is designed to bring transparency to the forefront, ensuring consumers can make genuinely informed choices. The rule specifies that the declaration must be in capital letters within a box, making it impossible to miss.
Why Chicory is in Your Coffee
The practice of blending chicory with coffee is a tradition steeped in history and economics. It began in 19th century France during a time of coffee scarcity and eventually made its way to India during the British colonial period. Roasted chicory root, which is naturally caffeine-free, is significantly cheaper than coffee beans. Adding it to coffee was a way to make the beverage more affordable and accessible. Over time, this blend became a preference, especially in South India. Many have come to love the unique flavour profile chicory provides; it adds body, reduces bitterness, and gives the decoction a dark, rich colour and a smooth, velvety texture often described as earthy and nutty. While some connoisseurs view it as an adulterant, for millions it is the secret to their perfect cup of filter kaapi.
Decoding the Perfect Blend for You
The ratio of coffee to chicory profoundly impacts the taste, aroma, and strength of the final brew. A higher percentage of chicory results in a thicker, darker decoction with a more pronounced earthy sweetness, which pairs well with milk. These blends also have lower caffeine content, as chicory itself is caffeine-free. Conversely, a blend with a higher coffee percentage will be more aromatic, acidic, and deliver a stronger caffeine kick. The typical South Indian filter coffee blend contains between 15% and 30% chicory, but this can vary. The new FSSAI rules will allow consumers to finally move beyond vague descriptions like 'strong' or 'rich' and choose a blend based on precise composition, catering to their specific taste and caffeine preference.
The Rules of the Blend
The FSSAI's involvement is not entirely new, but the latest step is its most decisive for consumer clarity. Existing regulations already stipulated that any product sold as a 'coffee-chicory mixture' must contain at least 51% coffee, ensuring coffee remains the dominant ingredient. The rules also state that a blend containing chicory cannot be marketed as 'Pure Coffee'. However, a 2022 FSSAI examination found that a significant number of manufacturers were non-compliant with existing labelling provisions, highlighting the need for stricter, clearer rules. The new front-of-pack mandate aims to close these loopholes for good, putting clear, unambiguous information directly in the consumer's line of sight and holding manufacturers accountable.
