How to Host a South Indian Filter Kaapi Tasting at Home

Hosting is a part and parcel of Indian culture. The values of community, sharing, and hospitality are practised and upheld in society. 

If you have been raised in a typical Indian household, you’d be no stranger to large get-togethers, bright festival celebrations, and maintaining constant touch with neighbours who are always over at each other’s houses.

The common ingredients at these social gatherings? Delicious food and even more delicious kaapi to go with it. 

So if you’ve been looking for an excuse to invite your friends and family over for a much-needed catch-up, why not plan a South Indian filter kaapi tasting at home?

Prep for the Tasting

The very first step to organising a wonderful evening is to get all the essentials ready. 

Since South Indian filter kaapi is the star of the show, do your research and get a few different blends for the tasting (we can help with this).

Make sure you have both the traditional variety with chicory and a couple of ones without.

Depending on how tight-knit or large the event is going to be, you’ll need to have that many stainless steel or brass tumblers and dabara sets.

Finally, get some flasks so that you can keep each brew warm while people make the rounds, and keep some notepads for people to write down their thoughts.

Set the Stage

Now that you have bought the essentials, it is time to create an ambience for the filter kaapi tasting. 

You can decorate the house, switch out the linen, and light a soothing incense stick.  

If your guests enjoy music, maybe choose an instrumental music playlist that can run in the background. 

All of this put together will make everyone feel like they’ve stepped into a cosy South Indian coffee house.

We have several recipe ideas you can use to prepare some snacks for the evening. Dishes like banana fritters and fried idlis would go perfectly with the kaapi.

Once this is done, all you need to do is set up the kaapi station on the day of the event. Either the kitchen counter or a large table surface would work. Place the flasks and label each of them. Include information like origin, roast level, etc. 

Get the Brews Ready

Just before the tasting starts, brew the filter kaapi as you usually do in the traditional Indian coffee filter. Pour the decoction into each flask to keep it warm for longer.

You can also warm the milk shortly before so that it is ready to be mixed with the decoction. 

Those who aren’t already familiar with the preparation of South Indian filter kaapi would appreciate learning about its ritualistic significance. As you pour the milk and decoction mixture back and forth between the two tumblers, you can walk them through the process.

Serve the kaapi once it is frothy. The aroma will spread throughout the house, adding to the atmosphere.

Let the Tasting Begin

By now, you’d see just how excited everyone is. Kaapi has that effect on people. 

Start with one variety at a time. Ask the guests to freely talk about their experience. Some points to keep in mind would be the aroma, body, bitterness, and aftertaste.

Talk about how different roast levels feel on the palate. At the same time, discuss how chicory makes a difference. 

Some more ways to keep it interesting are to try adding brown sugar or jaggery, try slurping, and even encourage taking sips of the kaapi decoction before adding milk.

Naturally, the conversation will pan to other topics and personal anecdotes about coffee. That’s the beauty of such get-togethers. They’re a great way of connecting over common interests and spending some much-needed time with loved ones.

At the end of the day, you can prepare small gifts to share with them. Treat your guests to a small pouch of the blend they liked best. 

This will encourage them to try brewing kaapi at home. You’ll forever be that favourite person who introduced them to their favourite kaapi.

We hope you have a lovely time hosting this South Indian filter kaapi tasting at home.