The Morning Cup Confusion
For years, Indian consumers have navigated a confusing landscape when buying coffee. Many popular brands sell a mixture of coffee and chicory, but the exact proportions were often buried in the fine print or vaguely described. A product might be called
'filter coffee' or have packaging that evokes pure coffee, yet contain a significant amount of chicory. This lack of clear, upfront information made it difficult for shoppers to know if they were buying 100% coffee or a blend, and in what ratio. The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) noted that some products were in violation of regulations, misleading consumers by either depicting blends as pure coffee or not declaring the percentages correctly.
Why Chicory in Coffee?
The practice of adding chicory to coffee has a long history in India, particularly in the South. Chicory is a plant whose roasted root can be ground and used as a coffee substitute or additive. Historically, it was added to make coffee more affordable. Over time, however, many people grew to love the unique flavour profile it creates. Chicory adds body, reduces the bitterness of some coffee beans, and imparts a slightly sweet, caramel-like taste, resulting in the distinctive flavour of traditional South Indian filter coffee. While pure coffee has its fans, the chicory blend is a beloved tradition in its own right. The issue has never been the blend itself, but the lack of transparency about its composition.
FSSAI's New Rule Explained
To address the lack of clarity, the FSSAI has mandated new labelling rules that came into effect on July 1, 2026. The Food Safety and Standards (Labelling and Display) First Amendment Regulations, 2025, require all coffee-chicory mixtures to feature a prominent front-of-pack declaration. This declaration must clearly state the exact percentage of both coffee and chicory in the product. Furthermore, any product labelled as a 'Coffee-Chicory Mixture' must contain at least 51% coffee by mass. This move is designed to ensure consumers can easily see what they are buying at a single glance, without needing to search for hidden details.
How to Read the New Labels
When you are next shopping for coffee, you will see these changes on the packaging. For regular ground coffee blends, the label will now clearly state: “COFFEE BLENDED WITH CHICORY,” followed by the exact percentages, such as “COFFEE……… PERCENT” and “CHICORY……… PERCENT”. A similar, equally clear declaration is required for instant coffee blends, stating: “INSTANT COFFEE-CHICORY MIXTURE” along with the component percentages. This simple, standardized format removes all ambiguity. It helps you differentiate between a product that is mostly coffee with a hint of chicory for flavour, and one that is a more balanced blend, allowing you to buy exactly what you prefer.
Be a Smarter Coffee Shopper
Armed with this new information, you can now make choices that align perfectly with your taste and budget. If you want the full caffeine kick and pure taste of coffee, you can easily spot the 100% coffee products. If you enjoy the traditional, full-bodied flavour and lower acidity of a chicory blend, you can now choose the exact ratio you prefer. A higher chicory content generally means a lower price and a less intense, but smoother, taste. This regulation empowers consumers by replacing marketing jargon with hard facts. Whether you are a purist or a blend enthusiast, you now have the clear information needed to brew your perfect cup every single time.
