From New York to Chennai: The Story Behind Beachville Coffee Roasters
It’s funny how often I get recommended Indian coffee roasters, considering I’m from India myself. Truth be told, I haven’t visited India in the past five years. At first, I didn’t think much of it, but lately, every time I reminisce about visiting family or past travels, I feel a growing sense of longing. Maybe I miss the country more than I’d like to admit.
Founders of Beachville Coffee Roasters
Another thing that has piqued my curiosity is India’s coffee scene. Everyone I meet seems to rave about it, most of them based in Dubai and their enthusiasm has definitely sparked my interest. This curiosity reached new heights recently when I met Divya and Ravi, founders of Beachville Coffee Roasters, during their trip to the UAE.
Divya’s coffee journey is inspiring. It all started in New York when she struggled to find a fresh bag of ground coffee to make her morning South Indian filter coffee. For those unfamiliar, filter coffee is a unique brewing method distinct from pour-over. Divya has an excellent guide on brewing filter coffee that highlights why this method is so deeply rooted in South Indian culture.
Fast forward to October 2020, in the middle of the pandemic, Divya took a bold leap of faith and opened a specialty café with an in-house roastery, the first of its kind in Chennai. Before this, Beachville had already made its mark as an e-commerce platform, but having a physical location added an entirely new dimension to the brand.
I’m going off track for a moment, but have you ever walked into a café, spotted a machine, and thought, “They must really know what they’re doing here?” I was told Beachville Coffee is the first café in Chennai to house a Slayer espresso machine. For those in the know, using a Slayer is a clear sign that the baristas mean business — they are here to stay and are serious about their craft.
While Beachville also roasts Ethiopian, Colombian, and Honduran coffees, I find myself drawn to their Indian offerings. There’s something exciting about discovering what India has to offer in the world of coffee.
Beachville offers four single-origin Indian coffees and a blend, each with its own distinct personality:
• Attikan — Floral and bright, my favorite from the bunch.
• Hippla — Syrupy body with dry fruit sweetness and a jammy aftertaste.
• Gungegiri — Fruity notes of passionfruit, peach, and honey.
• Nachammai — A classic with rich dark chocolate flavors and delicate white floral aromatics.
• Filter Coffee Blend – Designed specifically for traditional South Indian filter coffee. I’m yet to try this.
As I sit here writing this, I’m sipping on their Attikan — delightful — it speaks to me. The coffee is from one of India’s highest and most esteemed estates. Floral, bright, and lightly roasted. It’s the kind of coffee that can instantly uplift you provided you are having a bad day, but if you are not, it’ll still make you happy. Each bag of Beachville coffee comes with a thoughtful description, and Aatikan’s reads:
“Everyone’s favorite coffee. Sweet, strong, and easy to brew.”
I couldn’t agree more. I find myself reaching for the Attikan in the mornings and the Nachammai at night.
But Beachville isn’t just about roasted coffee. Their café features exquisite coffee mocktails, alongside an all-day menu with breakfast, lunch, and dinner options. I have to admit, I’ve spent far too much time scrolling through their Instagram, marveling at the dishes and dreaming about my next trip to India.
When I finally make it back, Beachville is already on my itinerary. Divya’s passion, combined with her team’s dedication, has made Beachville Coffee a standout in India’s coffee culture. How do I know this? Reading some of the press releases strengthens the statement I made. They’re constantly hosting new events, introducing new pastries, and drinks, and I can’t wait to experience it all firsthand.
