S Panchanathan Stores
In this article5 parts
Quick answer
For strong, thick South Indian filter coffee with milk, pick a powder with some chicory (80:20 is the most common). For a lighter, more aromatic cup, pick pure coffee.
- Chicory adds body, colour and a slight bitterness, and makes the powder go further.
- Buy small packs and keep them airtight: ground coffee loses its smell in a few weeks once opened.
- We stock two: Kumbakonam Iyer for a strong cup, Narasus Udhayam for everyday value.
What does chicory do in filter coffee?
Chicory is a roasted root ground and mixed with coffee. It has no caffeine. It makes the decoction darker and thicker, adds a slightly bitter, caramel taste, and stands up well to plenty of milk, which is why most South Indian filter coffee powders contain some.
100% coffee"Pure"
BodyAromaBitterness
Best for: black coffee or coffee with little milk
80% coffee, 20% chicoryThe classic blendMOST USED
BodyAromaBitterness
Best for: thick filter coffee with plenty of milk
70% coffee or less30% chicory or more
BodyAromaBitterness
Best for: very strong, dark coffee at a lower price
What else should you look for?
- Roast: a darker (“double roasted”) powder gives a stronger, more bitter cup; a medium roast is smoother.
- Grind: filter coffee needs a medium-fine grind. Instant coffee is a different product and does not work in a filter.
- Packing date: pick the most recent. Coffee is best within a few weeks of grinding.
- Smell: a good powder smells strongly of coffee when you open it. A flat, dusty smell means it is old.
The two filter coffees we stock
Kumbakonam Iyer250 g · ₹269 · about ₹108 per 100 g- Coffee and chicory, double roasted
- Strong and dark, classic Kumbakonam style
- Pick it for a strong tumbler with lots of milk
Narasus Udhayam200 g · ₹185 · about ₹93 per 100 g- Coffee and chicory blend
- Smooth, everyday strength
- Pick it if you drink coffee twice a day and want value
Prices on our site on 1 Nov 2026; they can change. Check each pack for its exact coffee and chicory ratio. We sell both of these, and we only list what we stock.
How should you store coffee powder?
Do
- Move it to an airtight steel or glass jar after opening
- Use a dry spoon every time
- Finish an opened pack in three to four weeks
Don't
- Keep it next to the stove or in sunlight
- Leave the pack open in a damp kitchen
- Buy a big pack if you drink one cup a day
Ready to brew? Here is our Kumbakonam filter coffee recipe, with the decoction and milk measured for you.
Questions people ask
Is chicory bad for health?
No. Chicory root has been used in coffee for a long time and has no caffeine. A blend with chicory actually has less caffeine than pure coffee of the same weight.
How much powder for one cup?
About 2 heaped teaspoons (8 to 10 g) per cup of filter coffee, depending on how strong you like it.
Can I use filter coffee powder in a coffee machine?
In a drip machine, yes. For espresso machines it is usually too coarse and the chicory clogs the filter.
Why does my coffee taste sour?
The water was not boiling, or the powder is old. Use water just off the boil and a fresh pack.
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