Coffee culture is moving beyond the regular Americano, with café-goers now exploring a wider mix of beverages and brewing styles. Signature coffees such as lattes, cappuccinos, cold brews and pour-overs are becoming part of everyday orders as customers experiment with different flavour notes, textures and bean varieties.
Milk-based coffees continue to see strong demand, as milk helps balance bitterness, improve texture and highlight subtle flavour notes in the beans, making specialty coffee more approachable for a wider audience, said Shivam Shahi, Co-Founder of Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters.
Reflecting this shift in consumer preferences, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters has expanded its presence in the city with the launch of Blue Tokai Origins at Banjara Hills, marking its second such space in Hyderabad.
At Origins, coffee takes centre stage as an immersive experience rather than just a grab-and-go beverage. Designed around rare Indian micro-lots, region-specific beans and chef-led dining, the space spotlights Indian estates, terroirs and diverse brewing techniques under the brand’s farmer-first philosophy.
A standout feature is the Play Bar, where guests can discover experimental coffee lots preserved at peak flavour in temperature-controlled storage. Curated by Blue Tokai’s roasting team, the rotating selection changes monthly and has included barrel-aged coffees, unique fermentations and beans sourced from emerging regions such as Meghalaya. Customers can also explore seven brewing styles, including Chemex, Syphon and Slow Drip.
The culinary offering complements the coffee concept with a menu curated in collaboration with Auroni Mookerjee, known for his work with Diva Group, Sienna Store & Cafe and The Salt House.
What’s Brewing at Origins:
• Handmade pastas, including Chilli Crunch Carbonara
• Gourmet club sandwiches and open-faced toasts served on sourdough breads from Suchali’s Artisan Bakehouse
• Fresh bakery selections and artisanal breads curated to complement coffee pairings
• Desserts such as classic tiramisu and Coconut Berry Lamington
• Nitro Cold Brew, a chilled nitrogen-infused single-origin coffee served on tap
• Specialty coffee options across seven brewing methods, including Chemex, Syphon and Slow Drip
“Hyderabad is the only city where we have opened two flagship stores in under six months, reflecting the strong demand and growing curiosity around specialty coffee here. People do not just want a good cup of coffee, but also want to understand the craft behind it,” said Shivam Shahi.
Building on this demand, Blue Tokai opened eight to nine stores in the last four months, including two flagship Origins outlets, and is aiming to expand to nearly 40 to 45 locations in Hyderabad over the next three years, with further growth planned across financial district.
Origins goes beyond the conventional café format, creating a space where consumers can slow down, explore the craft behind every cup and connect with a wider community of growers, brewers and coffee enthusiasts. Through curated tastings, conversations and immersive experiences, the concept blends specialty coffee with culture, learning and connection.
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