By Akanksha Arora

Copyright timesnownews

For years, coffee in Delhi was not really about coffee at all. It was about cafes. Think back of the early 2000s: Overcrowded Cafe Coffee Day or Barista packed with college students, office-goers and even families. The most popular orders? Caramel Frappuccino, chocolate-laden lattes and frothy cappuccinos garnished with cocoa powder and chocolate syrup. Coffee was less about the bean and more about the experience – a social outing, a photo-worthy drink and a very convenient caffeine boost. Somewhere down the line, Delhi began to change and so did its coffee. The Instagram generation wanted more than just whipped cream-topped indulgence. Many travel enthusiasts returned from Melbourne and Berlin with stories of slow brews and single origins. Home baristas began experimenting with moka pots and French presses. And slowly, roasteries started popping up across the city. Today, it all looks very different. Cafes with buzzing espresso machines have made room for roasteries where beans are roasted in-house and different origins are celebrated. It is still an experience but now it is more coffee-centric. Baristas are patiently explaining flavor notes like “citrus”, “spice”, and “dark chocolate.” Coffee in Delhi is no longer a sugary escape. In fact, it has become a ritual and a culture. The Rise Of RoasteriesThe concept of a roastery cafe – where beans are roasted in-house – was once unfamiliar to the city. Today, places like Third Wave Coffee Roasters, Devan’s, Libertario, Manam, and many more have become essentials in Delhi’s ever-evolving cafe landscape. You know why? Because these beautifully curated spaces are no longer about serving coffee, they are about storytelling, beautifully tracing the bean’s journey from a plantation in Chikmagalur or Coorg to the final pour in a cup. At these special places, customers are introduced to single-origin coffees, lighter roast profile and brewing methods like pour-over, AeroPress, siphon, and cold brew. The best bit? Coffee is no longer drowned in syrups or cream, it is celebrated for its inherent notes of citrus, chocolate or spice, depending on the origin. The Big QuestionSo, the question is: What’s driving this big shift? Awareness! Delhiites are traveling more, exploring more. They are going to cafes in Europe, Australia and Southeast Asia. With more experiences, they are bringing back a sense of curiosity for authentic coffee experiences. Social media, too, has played its part. Reels and posts showcasing latte art or “coffee tasting flights” have piqued interest among younger audiences. A Culture Of Slow SipsNot many have noticed but Delhi’s evolving coffee scene is also tied to lifestyle changes. The fast-coffee culture of the past, including a quick frappe before class or a takeaway latte during work, is giving way to a slower and a more mindful ritual. Okay take this as an example: At roasteries, the act of ordering coffee often involves choosing a bean, a brewing method and then waiting patiently while the barista carefully crafts the cup. What used to be an indulgent sugar rush has now become an exercise in appreciation. This growing awareness has made consumers more conscious. They not only want to know what they are drinking, but where it comes from. A Unique JourneyIf you see it correctly, you will notice that Delhi’s coffee journey is like the city itself – restless, curious, and always evolving. What began with frappuccinos and whipped cream and chocolate syrups, has grown into something deeper and infinitely more exciting. It is not just about caffeine anymore! It is, in fact, more about the bean, the farmer and the craft.