What Happens When A Coffee Lover Builds A Business? Abhinav Mathurs Somethings Brewing, Thats What

While most of us have been obsessing over banana bread and dalgona espresso through the lockdown, Abhinav Mathur was quietly constructing a brewing revolution from scratch. As the Managing Director of Kaapi Machines and Something’s Brewing, Abhinav Mathur has had a front-row seat to India’s fast-growing love for espresso past cafes. From curating over 500 brewing instruments to constructing a vibrant on-line neighborhood of curious house brewers, he talks about how India went from cafe-hopping to filter-swapping.

1. You have seen India’s espresso scene from each ends – huge cafe chains and residential kitchens. What was the second you thought, “Okay, people are seriously getting into brewing at home”?

COVID was the actual recreation changer. Our enterprise had come to a standstill, as you may think about – no going out, cafes shutting down, and no sale of apparatus. But as all of us stayed at house, we had time to reconnect with our ardour, brewing espresso and speaking about it with others. During the lockdown, we began experimenting with new espresso gear, exchanging brewing methods, and seen a world pattern, together with in India, of individuals wanting to grasp house espresso brewing higher.

2. You launched Something’s Brewing through the lockdown. Brave transfer or glad accident? Or each?

Honestly, each. It was a leap of religion pushed by intuition. The lockdown gave folks time to mirror on the little rituals they missed, like their cafe espresso.
I at all times believed that for house brewing in India to develop, entry to each data and tools was vital. Many neighborhood members have been asking us for espresso gear suggestions and methods to pay money for worldwide merchandise.
With a few colleagues, I started constructing a primary platform that would present early adopters with dependable house espresso gear, which was the one ambition at first. We are all amazed by how a lot the neighborhood has grown!

3. Cafes have had their second in India, however now folks need cafe-style espresso with out leaving their properties. What do you assume pushed that shift?

Convenience, clearly, but additionally a need for management and experimentation. At house, you may brew espresso your personal means. People started appreciating not simply the style, however the course of, the sound of grinding, the pour, the aroma. The whole expertise turned calming. And when you obtain an amazing cup at house, it turns into tough to justify standing in a queue for one.

4. You introduced in devices just like the Ripple Maker and Nitro Cold Brew methods. What is the following huge factor in how we brew or drink espresso right here?

Automation with soul. We are seeing good espresso machines that allow you to management each parameter by means of an app whereas nonetheless producing a handmade-style end result. Also rising are chilly brew on faucet, ready-to-drink speciality espresso cans, and sustainable espresso capsules. It isn’t just about flashy tech anymore, it’s about being good, sustainable, and dependable.
Home roasters and small batch roasters are gaining floor. Tools like XBloom are additionally simplifying handbook brewing, providing consistency with out dropping the human contact.

5. With 500+ brewing instruments and 40+ roasters on board, how do you resolve what makes it to the Something’s Brewing shelf? What is the rulebook like?

Our rulebook? If it doesn’t excite us, it won’t excite our neighborhood. Every product undergoes testing, does it provide good high quality, is it beginner-friendly, and does it make brewing extra satisfying? We are additionally explicit about long-term use and servicing. If we can’t help it or clarify the right way to use it, we don’t inventory it.

6. Do you assume Indian shoppers are prepared to maneuver past the French press and Moka pot? What is one brewing device folks severely must attempt however often ignore?

Absolutely. Indian shoppers immediately are well-informed and open to making an attempt new espresso brewing methods. One underrated device is the pour-over dripper, just like the Hario V60. It is elegant and offers you unbelievable flavour readability. It teaches persistence and precision, and in return, gives a cup that’s clear and layered.
Many assume it’s too technical, however when you attempt it, it adjustments all the pieces. It is the best approach to dive deeper into espresso flavour profiles.
Another favorite is the Budan One Touch – maybe the best approach to get cafe-style espresso at house. No fuss over recipes, grinding, or proportions. Just a scoop of espresso, press a button, and you’ve got a correct Espresso, Cappuccino, Latte or Americano at house.

7. You work with manufacturers like Starbucks and McCafe. Do you assume mainstream espresso manufacturers are able to geek out on speciality brews and equipment like house brewers do?

They have already begun. Many manufacturers are investing in higher machines, barista coaching, and speciality espresso menus. The house brewing motion in India has raised client expectations, and larger manufacturers are beginning to pay attention.
Starbucks has launched Reserve Stores in India, which supply handbook brews and single property coffees. While over 97% of cafe drinks are nonetheless milk-based, speciality cafes are actively pushing shoppers to attempt black brews and origin-based choices. Mainstream manufacturers ought to catch up.

8. Something’s Brewing is as a lot a content material platform as it’s a market. Was the content material push (YouTube, reels, newsletters) intentional from day one, or did the neighborhood demand it?

A little bit of each. We at all times knew espresso training could be important. But the best way the neighborhood responded was what formed the technique. We started with blogs and tutorials, and really quickly folks have been asking for brew-along movies, bean opinions, and extra.
Content helped us keep relatable in a digital area. During the lockdown, we even hosted India’s first “Latte Art Contest for Home Brewers” – folks submitted movies from their kitchens, and the neighborhood voted on-line. It was an amazing reminder of how digital instruments can nonetheless create significant espresso connections.

9. You have grown a large house brewing neighborhood. Any enjoyable or sudden tales from people who began with a French press and now discuss like professional baristas? What is essentially the most shocking or heart-warming factor you have got seen from this neighborhood to date?

Mehul, a good friend I met on Twitter (X), stands out. He and some associates have been desperate to study extra about espresso however had nowhere to check out gear. I invited them to our workplace/demo centre in Mumbai, and that was the beginning of their journey.
He purchased a Rancilio Silvia machine from us throughout COVID and commenced studying latte artwork by himself-he posted movies recurrently. His progress is unbelievable – he may rival {many professional} baristas now. He additionally leads our neighborhood occasions and is a sought-after reviewer for Indian espresso roasters.
With ardour and consistency, he went from newbie to espresso skilled. It is inspiring to see how this tradition can form folks.

10. What does a day in your life appear like when you find yourself not main two espresso empires? Is there ever such a day?

Entrepreneurs should construct a private area exterior their enterprise. It offers perspective and a break from fixed trade discuss. On weekends, I spend time with household, compensate for studying, and check out new eating places. My spouse and I each get pleasure from journey and meals.
Though, even when I’m eating out, I usually chat with workers and observe their espresso brewing routine, an occupational hazard!

11. Your go-to espresso order? No judging.

Unfortunately, I’ve was a little bit of a espresso snob. It is barely black espresso for me, often a V60 pour-over. I do give baristas just a few directions, they usually principally take it nicely and respect a buyer who is aware of what they like.
However, my morning beverage continues to be chai. Please don’t decide, I’m from Lucknow, in spite of everything.

12. Most overhyped brewing technique?

Siphon. Looks gorgeous on Instagram, however it’s not sensible or dependable for on a regular basis use. More efficiency than perform.

13. One worldwide espresso pattern you need to see in India ASAP?

Coffee tasting flights, identical to wine or whisky tastings. They enable you to perceive the origin, notes, and flavour profile of every brew. Plus, they make the whole coffee-tasting expertise extra interactive.

14. What is one piece of espresso gear each beginner ought to personal – however hardly ever buys?

A digital scale. It could not look thrilling, however it’s important for brew consistency. Guessing portions is like guessing a cake recipe; precision transforms your espresso.

15. Dream espresso desk visitors: choose any three folks, actual or fictional. Who is becoming a member of you for a cup?

1. James Hoffman – he’s the God of Coffee. Most house brewers depend on his opinions – they’re trustworthy and thorough.
2. Matt, founding father of Blue Tokai. I at all times get pleasure from our chats concerning the trade, enterprise challenges, and innovation.
3. Baba Budan, the Sufi saint who, as legend has it, smuggled espresso beans in his beard and began India’s espresso tradition. He will need to have been a rare individual.