Kaapi

KAAPI

By

Murali Murthy

As the freshly opened pack of Coffee powder is stuffed into the steel Filter and hot water is poured, the aroma of the fresh coffee surrounds the house.

This is a typical start of the day in most of the south indian houses.

The most revered, loved, romanticized, favourite Drink in South India - Kaapi.

It's an unwritten rule that the Man of the house takes the responsibility to bring Milk early in the morning, prepare the coffee filter. As the coffee decoction drips down the filter, we all wake up to the fresh coffee smell that embraces entire house.

And the love affair starts, as we begin our marathon Coffee drinking through out the day.

The fresh aroma of the coffee decoction, served piping hot in our favourite steel/coffee mug, the froth on the top layer and the steam coming out of the cup.

For most of us, our body engine doesn't start with one dose of Kaapi in the morning.

Irrespective of the age, I have seen people traditionally having multiple rounds of coffee - immediately after brushing teeth, one round before the bath, another round after the breakfast, and it goes on for atleast 5 to 10 times a day.

We are obsessed and very particular with the cup in which we have our coffee, and we love to have kaapi at our own home.

Though it is customary to offer Coffee to all our guests:

"Swalpa kaapi koDthini"

"Thumba kammi, ardha cup koDi"

, we would still anyday like coffee at our home.

Coffee itself is so addictive and magical drink, that it can be had at every event at any time of the day. Be it when you wake up in the morning, after breakfast, after a meal, when tired, break during journey, when not feeling well, when feeling cold, with a cigarette, after a good boozing session, when having a headache, friends meet, or just like that.

Even in marriage functions, the elders are seen demanding coffee early in the morning, after the breakfast and after every meal.

Most of us are particular on having a good filter Kaapi and not the instant coffees - Bru or Nescafe. I personally ask if it's a filter coffee that they serve in hotels and if it's Instant coffee, I would rather prefer Tea.

Unfortunately, this wonder drink is not easily available once we go out of Karnataka. Afterall, Karnataka produces 70% of coffee in India and Coorg/Chikmagalur has a history dating back to 16th Century when the coffee was introduced in our culture.

Many Doctors these days insist their patients to stop drinking coffee, which is equivalent and as painful as someone asking us to totally stop smoking or drinking.

And this love for kaapi has made people to name their joints that naturally attracts us, be it kaapi katte, jagli kaapi, hatti kaapi, kaapi corner, mane kaapi, kaapi kendra or Coffee Day.

There is nothing like the first cup of Kaapi in the morning, the slurring sips of the hot coffee is savoured to feel the aromatic magic potion that motivates to wake up and take the day head on.

I know many friends and relatives who love their coffee so much, that I think they believe humanity runs on Coffee.

I only wish someone looks at me the way I look at my Coffee!

Kaapi - it's an inspiration, motivation, rejuvenator, refreshing magic drink!

"Decoction iLitha idhe...Kaapi kudkoNd hogi"