South Indian filter coffee powder: chicory or pure coffee?
Choose an 80:20 coffee and chicory blend if you want traditional, thick filter coffee with milk. Choose 100% coffee if you want a cleaner taste, or you drink it with less milk.
Both are real South Indian filter coffee. The right one depends on how you like your cup.
By Nirikshith, Founder, Navees Farm & Roastery.Updated 9 November 2026.
We grow and roast our coffee on our family farm in Chikmagalur. Here is how we think about the choice.
80:20 blend, or 100% coffee?
| 80:20 coffee and chicory | 100% coffee | |
|---|---|---|
| Taste | Fuller body and a bittersweet, roasted finish | Cleaner, and more of the coffee’s own flavour |
| With milk | Stands up well to plenty of milk | Works, but it tastes lighter |
| Caffeine | Lower per spoon, as chicory has no caffeine | Higher per spoon |
| Our coffee | Classic Chicory Blendfrom ₹319 for 250 gChoose | 100% Arabica, filter grindfrom ₹419 for 250 gChoose |
Stronger, without chicory? Try our Premium Blend, with 70% Arabica and 30% Robusta, at ₹419, or 100% Robusta at ₹349.
What does chicory do?
Chicory is a roasted root, not coffee. It has no caffeine, and it adds body, colour, and a slightly bitter, caramel taste.
It also helps the decoction drip more slowly and thickly. Many South Indian households grew up on this taste, so it is a preference, not a shortcut. What matters is that the percentage is stated on the pack.
How to make filter coffee
You need: a steel South Indian filter, coffee powder, hot water, and hot milk.
For 2 cups:
- Add 3 to 4 tablespoons of powder to the top chamber. Press it gently with the plunger, and do not pack it tight.
- Pour about 150 ml of water, just off the boil, slowly over the plunger.
- Cover and wait for 10 to 20 minutes, until the decoction has dripped through.
- Heat milk until just below boiling.
- Mix 1 part decoction with 3 parts hot milk. Add sugar if you like, for 2 cups.
- Pour it between a tumbler and davara to froth it, and drink it hot.
If your filter coffee does not taste right
| Problem | Try |
|---|---|
| It drips too fast, and the decoction is thin | Use more powder, and press it a little more firmly |
| It stops dripping | Press less firmly, or check that the grind is not too fine |
| It is too bitter | Use less decoction or more milk, or try less chicory |
| It tastes weak | Use more powder, less milk, and freshly boiled water |
How to keep it fresh
Keep it sealed, in a cool, dry place. We roast in small batches every two days, based on orders.
Common questions
What is the best ratio of coffee to chicory?
80:20 is the most common traditional balance, and it is what our Classic Chicory Blend uses. Some people prefer 85:15 for a more coffee-forward cup, or a higher chicory share for more body.
Is chicory bad for you?
For most adults, chicory is considered likely safe in the amounts found in food and drinks, according to RxList. It can cause an allergic reaction in people who are sensitive to the ragweed and daisy family, and large amounts are not advised during pregnancy. If you have such an allergy, are pregnant or breastfeeding, or have gallstones, check with your doctor first. This is general information, not medical advice.
Can I use filter coffee powder in a French press?
It is usually too fine, and leaves sludge. See our French press guide for what to use.
Can I use this powder in a moka pot?
Use a moka pot grind instead, without chicory. It suits the pressure of the pot better. See our moka pot guide.
By Nirikshith, Founder, Navees Farm & Roastery. Updated 9 November 2026.