From Yemen to India: The Cappuccino Coffee Story You Didn’t Know

India, late 1600s—Baba Budan returned to Indian shores with a treasure hidden in his beard! A treasure that would years later turn into an industry worth US$560.70m in 2024 from beans to cappuccino sachets and from it to ready-mix packs.

In a time when there were no coffee shops, no morning buzz, and no comforting brew to get you through the day, coffee was a rare luxury guarded by the Arabs. So how did this beloved beverage travel all the way from Yemen to India? We break down this adventitious history for you.

The Coffee Secret: Smuggled Beans Adventure 

In the heart of Yemen, coffee wasn’t just a drink—it was a well-kept secret, a powerful trade monopoly. Right from the cultivation of the coffee trees to the roasting of the beans, each step was strictly overlooked by Arab monks.

The beans were only made available for sale in the market only after they were properly roasted. What would happen if unroasted beans were sold? The penalty for green coffee bean sales was death!

But when Baba Budan tasted the first brew during his pilgrimage to Mecca, he knew that this wasn’t something to be monopolised. It was a ritual, an experience, a necessity.

So on his way back to India, Baba Budan hid seven raw coffee beans in his beard, defying the strict export rules of the time. These weren’t just any beans—they represented a quiet revolution, the first step in breaking the Arab monopoly and introducing coffee to a land that had yet to taste its wonders.

India’s First Brew: A Tale In a Cup

Back in India, in the rich, fertile soil of Chandragiri hills of Karnataka, the first coffee plants were sown. Slowly but surely, they grew, and what started as a small, hidden patch blossomed into one of India’s first coffee-growing regions.

Today, the region is renowned for its high-quality beans, and the legacy of Baba Budan lives on—not in folklore, but in every cup of coffee brewed from those same hills.

From Baba Budan to Cappuccino Premix

Fast forward to today, and India's coffee culture has evolved significantly, with cappuccino sachets and ready-mix packs making it more convenient than ever to enjoy a great brew. While the traditional filter coffee still holds a sacred place, the convenience and indulgence of a rich, creamy cappuccino are undeniable.

Jivraj 9 cappuccino premix sachets aim to deliver you the same sense of indulgence Baba Budan must have felt when he first tasted the brew centuries ago. In a matter of seconds, you can whip up a frothy, delicious cup that balances the bold flavour of espresso with the creaminess of steamed milk—whether you're at home, in the office, or on the go.

So, the next time you sip a cup of Jivraj 9 Cappuccino, think of it as more than just a quick pick-me-up. It’s a connection to a centuries-old legacy, starting with a bold saint who smuggled seven beans, continuing through the sprawling coffee plantations of Karnataka, and culminating in the modern convenience of instant cappuccino. Every sip is a nod to that incredible journey—from the hills of Yemen to the heart of India, and ultimately, to your cup.