--By Rashika Pokharel
Coffee stations have become immensely popular in the recent years. Within a period of few years, coffee consumption has heightened dramatically. This can be realized from the growing number of coffee shops in Kathmandu valley. Tapping popularity of coffee drinks among Nepali consumers, many coffee stations are streaming in the market and creating their own brand .
The concept of coffee stations was introduced in Nepal in 1999. This was the year when Himalayan Java started its first coffee station. Since then coffee stations have multiplied tremendously, especially in the urban place like Kathmandu. Coffee shops these days have become social gathering hub where people are at ease to spend their leisure times with friends or alone. They are the new hang outs for urban youths. They are one of the highly sought places of most youths. Similarly, coffee stations are favorite hang outs for professionals belonging to various walks of life and have remained popular among foreigners too. They have established themselves as social platforms where people can spend their time to write, chat, and read books etc.
What could be more comforting than a warm cup of coffee in chilling cold of Kathmandu. The sentiment can be seen in the delight of coffee lovers in coffee stations across the capital. Corresponding to the needs of their consumers, these stations also provide ample space and materials for spending leisure creatively. One of such facility is free WiFi connectivity. Availability of free internet services has acted as an attractive feature as consumers need to scan social media or work-online is catered. It has enabled people to finish off their work while loosening up at the same time in a coffee station.
Unveiling Coffee’s History
The history of coffee is believed to date back as early as the thirteenth century. There are many myths attached regarding its first use. One of these myths says that coffee originated from Ethiopia. Another version says that it was cultivated by the Arabs in the fourteenth century. Yet another version says that coffee drinking came into existence through the Sufi monasteries of Yemen during the fifteenth century. This version further claims that by 16th century, it spread to the remaining areas of the Middle East, Persia, Turkey and northern Africa. Coffee then expanded to the Balkans, Italy and other parts of Europe, to Indonesia and then finally it came to the Americas.
In Nepal’s context, coffee has been popular since the last few decades. Nepal Tea and Coffee Development board claims there is potential for coffee plantation in 39 midhill districts. Among them Gulmi, Palpa, Argakhanchi, Lalitpur,Tanahu, Kavre, Sindhupalchowk, Lamjung, Kaski, Gorkha, Syangja, Parbat, Baglung districts are effectively budding and producing Coffee beans.
Generally, two types of coffee plantation are in use. Robustica coffee beans, which grow around 3000 feet above the sea level, can be grown in lower altitude areas of terai region. The Arabica coffee beans can be grown in the subtropical regions having a temperature range of 16-24 at an altitude range above1800-3600 feet above sea level. Similarly, it can be grown in the equatorial regions at latitudes lower than 10° and altitudes of 3600-6300 feet above sea level. Owing to climatic conditions, Arabica coffee plantation is considered to be fruitful and favourable for Nepal.
Richman’s Drink in Nepal
Though farmers grow coffee in the rural hills, drinking habit is popular mostly in urban areas especially in the English speaking class. The reason behind this can be the effect of globalization and knowledge transmitted from culture to culture.
Famous performing artist of Dizzerido, Salil Subedi who is also a micro- community broadcaster, admires coffee. He finds coffee not only as a relaxing drink but also an act of creativity. Many artists, writers, musicians and painters love doing their work while sipping coffee. Subedi’s favourite coffee station is Himalayan Java. He believes that Himalayan Java serves best blends of coffee. However, that’s not the only coffee station around to do. Asha Coffee of Ekantakuna is also his favourite. Musician has selective options such as Americano, Black Filtered Coffee and House blend when it comes to coffee.
Business
Coffee has become a huge profit generating business for both: farmers and shop owners. Due to the topographical structure, Nepal is place which is highly suitable for coffee production. “Nepali organic coffee has become a brand in itself” says Salil Subedi as he believes that people today demand Himalayan Coffee. There are many organic coffee producers who manufacture finest organic coffee. Among them are the coffees from Gaurishankar organic coffee, coffee beans from the farms of Lalitpur, Dolakha, Panchkhal, Pokhara etc.
Rabin Khanal, store manager of Barista Lavazza says that coffee business is very prospering business as the costs of goods are very cheaper as compared to the profits. The profit margin reaches up to 2,00,000 per day combining the three outlets of barista located in Jawalakhel, at northern gate of Narayanhiti Palace and departure lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport. Similarlymanager of Himalayan Java,Hari Bahadur Chand, said that many aspiring people join their barista training programs with the plans to open up coffee shops after the completion of course.
Making Brands
i). Himalayan Java: Himalayan Java has set itself apart as a renowned coffee station in town since 1999. It has become a brand in itself. It is the only coffee station which has initiated the idea of Barista in the country. Today, it has become much included place in itinerary of every tourist. Java had initially started with the aim to promote coffee in the global market. Its owner, Gagan Pradhan has plans to make sure that coffee reaches to every doorstep of Nepal says its manager Mr. Hari Bahadur Chand. He wants coffee to be considered equally desired drink as compared to tea. He believes that Java’s unique flavour of coffee and its exquisite taste makes it different than other coffee shops. With his eleven years of experience working at Java, he has seen Java transforming from a mere coffee shop to a brand. Java has recently gone international by opening a franchise in Lhasa recently.
ii) Barista Lavazza: Where there are many native coffee brands, there is a coffee station which is equally famous as others .Barista promises to deliver coffee with Italian taste. It brings unique blend from Italy. “Our every packet of coffee has consistency in terms of taste,” says Rabin Khanal, Stock manager at Barista Lavazza, Jawalakhel. He believes that the ambiences, quality of the coffee, staffs’ dedication are the main factors that attract people to their shop. Along with that popularity of the word Barista as a coffee brand is another secret of their popularity, he adds.
iii) Cafe Soma: Café Soma located in Jhamsikhel is a place for books and coffee. This coffee station serves “Lekali Coffee”, a breed of coffee cultivated in Nuwakot. Lagan Tamrakar, the owner and the manager of the store, said that his coffee is popular among the locals and foreigners equally. 70 percent of his customers are foreigners and thirty percent are Nepalese. Elaborating on the nature of his customers, Tamrakar said people come to his shop for finishing off their work as well as to relax. He labels his shop as “Coffice” where the people finish off their office assignments along with mouthful of coffee.
Prospects: The demand for coffee is definitely growing. Crowds in and around coffee shops give us plenty of grounds to claim that coffee’s craze has mounted up. The growing demands of coffee has given grounds to coffee shops like Barista Lavazza for opening outlets in Pokhara and Durbar Marg. They have planned to establish these outlets within six months of time. These surge in coffee shop has given plenty reasons for coffee entrepreneurs to explore richer areas for cultivating coffee. They are making inroads to places like Gulmi, Syanga, Dolakha, Charikot in search of high quality coffee beans. People’s fascination to get some great taste of coffee has made them move from one end of the country to another. Coffee business has a strong future ahead.
