There is an authentic filter coffee house near my residence. It is impossible for anyone to walk past it, without feeling tempted to walk in . I have not been successful, ever. The Filter Kappi is the star attraction on the menu, but it offers only a limited selection of savories and mini meals from South India. The aroma is strong and distracting and wafts out of the kitchen and onto the road. Most people passing by, are drawn to it. The aroma of chicory added to Arabica coffee beans. It is an aroma I can associate with train travel to Madras back in the day. The Mail train arriving at the Central Station at the crack of dawn. Several vendors were jostling with porters with steaming samovars calling “Kaapi!” “Kaapi!”
An old Madrasi hand in the kitchen brews the coffee in a brass percolator. The trick lies in how the coffee beans are roasted, ground, then brewed. The magic lies in its serving. There is a small brass glass and a cup called a dabara with the Kaapi brought to the table by the waiter. Afterwards, he whips up a froth, pouring Kaapi from the glass to the dabara while never losing a drop, increasing the distance between both until it reaches a metre. Due to this, some part of tamil nadu calls it as Metre Kaapi. It is a ritual I find fascinating. Similar to what a bar tender does with an exotic cocktail.
The Madras Filter Kaapi has several things to offer. The cost is less than a quarter that of a Starbucks cappuccino or mocha. And a Frappe, Latte or Espresso at Café Coffee Day. It is unpretentious. Aromatic, flavorsome, and smooth. And after the razzmatazz behind its serving, the Kaapi is meant to be indulgently and unhurriedly savored. But not dawdled over as you would do in Starbucks or Café Coffee Day to get your money’s worth. The Iyengar coffee house is a humble establishment. The staff are polite. But they would like you to finish your Filter Kaapi and go. The next customer is already waiting for your seat.
About Mark Manuel
The above thoughts/content has been proudly copied from the wall of Sir Mark Manuel. Being interviewing almost every role model of this country and going stronger each day. Mark Manuel is a respected Mumbai editor, writer, and columnist.
With over three decades of journalism in leading publications. This includes the Free Press Journal, Times, Dainik Bhaskar, Mid-Day, and Afternoon. He is famous for his brilliant pen interviews. He himself is a TEDx speaker.
Further
His interviews have been featured in several leading media houses. They include the Hindustan Times, Huffington Post, BBC, and Network 18. Almost every famous person has been interviewed by him in the country from Mother Teresa to Muhammad Ali. His first book is just out. It’s titled Moryaa Re! It is a crime thriller that is perhaps the country’s first police procedural. He began his career covering crime. And in a tribute to his experience and knowledge of this beat.
Several distinguished officers of the Mumbai Police and its Crime Branch collaborated with him to make this book possible. Amitabh Bachchan wrote the forward in a statement of friendship for Mark Manuel and admiration for his work.
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