There’s a ritual that plays out in airports every single day—usually at the Bengaluru terminal. A suitcase gets zipped up tight, filled not with clothes or souvenirs, but with blocks of vacuum-packed filter coffee. If you peek inside, there’s a good chance it’s Cothas. For thousands of South Indian families, both in India and abroad, that unmistakable yellow-and-red pack isn’t just coffee—it’s comfort, nostalgia, and cultural currency.
If you’ve ever lived away from home, you know exactly what we’re talking about.
From BTM to the Burj
Back in 1949, in a modest shop in Bengaluru, Sri Krishnaiah Chetty began roasting and blending coffee using green beans sourced from Karnataka’s best estates—think Coorg, Chikmagalur, Wayanad. His small venture, Cothas Coffee, quietly brewed into a household name over the next few decades. Today, the brand still operates as a tight-knit family-run business, helmed by his son and grandson, and is one of the few legacy filter coffee brands that has stood the test of time.
From Koramangala kitchens to condos in Dubai, the flavor profile remains constant—full-bodied, aromatic, and proudly South Indian. This is the kind of kaapi that starts WhatsApp calls from Toronto: “When are you coming next? Bring Cothas.”
Coffee as Carry-On
Here’s what usually gets packed (sometimes smuggled) across borders:
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Filter Coffee Powder – The OG. 85% coffee, 15% chicory. It’s the secret behind that velvety decoction every Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Mallu household swears by.
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Instant Coffee – For when life’s chaotic, and you need a hit of home in 60 seconds flat. Made with high-quality Arabica/Robusta blends and chicory, this isn’t your average instant.
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Liquid Decoction Packs – Cothas figured it out for the new-gen. Pre-brewed filter coffee concentrate that requires zero filter drama. Heat, mix, sip, done.
These products aren’t just convenience—they’re survival kits. Ask any NRI who’s had to endure months without a taste of proper kaapi. Supermarket blends just don’t cut it.
The Emotion in Every Brew
There’s something uniquely emotional about the Cothas experience. Maybe it’s the morning ritual—the sound of boiling milk, the smell of decoction swirling with sugar, the metal tumbler in your hand. Or maybe it’s the story behind the beans: three generations of roasters who’ve kept the flavor consistent for 75+ years.
For the diaspora, it’s also about identity. Brewing Cothas in a London flat or a Toronto townhouse is more than a caffeine fix—it’s a link to Bengaluru’s streets, to conversations on the veranda, to that first cup your Appa made you drink even though you swore you didn’t like coffee.
Global Reach, Local Roots
Cothas isn’t just surviving—it’s thriving. With 300+ tonnes roasted each month, global exports to the US, Australia, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia, and even a Cothas Café on the cards for Dubai, this isn’t just a beloved Indian brand. It’s an international contender.
And yet, every pack of Cothas still smells like home. That’s a brand rooted in both quality and emotion. Whether you’re sipping it between meetings or using it to impress your phoren colleagues with “real Indian coffee,” it never fails to deliver.
FAQs
What makes Cothas Coffee different?
It’s all in the blend—85% premium beans with 15% chicory, slow-roasted on European machinery for that bold, consistent taste.
Do they only make filter coffee?
Nope. You can also get instant coffee and liquid decoction packs for when you want the flavor minus the brewing fuss.
Where can I buy Cothas abroad?
Many Indian grocery stores overseas stock it. You can also order it online via international retailers and through their website.
Where are the beans from?
Primarily Karnataka—Coorg, Chikmagalur, and Wayanad. Cothas works directly with estates to ensure consistent quality.
Who runs Cothas today?
Still a family business! Currently helmed by the founder’s son and grandson.
So yes—if your suitcase smells like coffee, you’re not alone. Somewhere between the customs check and your cousin’s kitchen in Canada, that pack of Cothas will become the most important item you carried across the ocean.
Because let’s face it: Cothas isn’t just coffee. It’s home in a cup.