Pick up any pack of South Indian filter coffee and you'll see two numbers, like 80:20 or 70:30. The first is the share of coffee. The second is the share of chicory. Those two numbers decide how your morning cup tastes, how thick the decoction is and how much milk it can carry.
If you've ever wondered why one brand tastes bold and another tastes smooth, the ratio is usually the reason. This guide explains what chicory does, what each ratio tastes like, and how to choose the one that suits you.
The coffee-chicory ratio is coffee first, chicory second. 80:20 means 80% coffee and 20% chicory. More coffee gives more aroma and caffeine; more chicory gives a thicker, darker, smoother cup with less caffeine.
What is chicory, and why is it in filter coffee?
Chicory is a plant whose root is dried, roasted and ground, much like coffee. It contains no caffeine. Roasted chicory brews dark and slightly woody, with a gentle bitterness of its own.
In South Indian homes, chicory became part of filter coffee for practical reasons. It made coffee go further, and families came to love what it does in the cup:
- More body. Chicory makes the decoction thicker and heavier, so the coffee feels richer on the tongue.
- Darker colour. It gives filter coffee its deep brown colour, even after milk is added.
- Holds up to milk. South Indian filter coffee is usually made with a lot of hot milk. Chicory helps the coffee flavour stay strong instead of turning pale and weak.
- Smoother, rounder taste. It softens the sharp, acidic edge some coffee beans have.
- Less caffeine per cup. Because chicory has none, the more chicory in the blend, the less caffeine in each tumbler.
Used well, chicory isn't a shortcut or a filler. It's a choice about taste, and the right amount depends on how you like your coffee.
How to read the ratio
The ratio is always coffee first, chicory second, and the two add up to 100. So 80:20 means 80% coffee and 20% chicory. A pack that says "100% coffee" or "pure coffee" has no chicory at all.
As a simple rule:
- More coffee means more aroma, more caffeine and a brighter coffee taste.
- More chicory means more body, a darker cup and a smoother, heavier finish.
Here's how the six Namma Coffee blends line up:
| Blend | Coffee : Chicory | Taste | Body | Caffeine |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pure Blend | 100 : 0 | Aromatic, bright, pure coffee | Medium | Highest |
| Rich Blend | 90 : 10 | Bold coffee with a hint of smoothness | Medium–full | High |
| Classic Blend | 80 : 20 | Balanced, traditional filter coffee | Full | Medium–high |
| Gentle Blend | 70 : 30 | Smooth, mellow, less sharp | Full | Medium |
| Chicory Blend | 60 : 40 | Rounded, strong chicory note, lingering | Heavy | Lower |
| Balanced Blend | 50 : 50 | Deep, earthy, distinctly chicory | Heaviest | Lowest |
Caffeine levels are relative comparisons based on the coffee content of each blend, not laboratory measurements. The actual caffeine in your cup depends on how much powder you use and how you brew it.
What each ratio tastes like
100% coffee: for coffee lovers who want it pure
With no chicory, you taste only the coffee. The aroma is stronger and the flavour is brighter, with more of the beans' natural character. In our Pure Blend, that's Plantation A, Peaberry and Robusta from Chikkamagaluru. The decoction is a little lighter in body than chicory blends.
Choose it if you drink your coffee black or with little milk, want the most caffeine per cup, or prefer to avoid chicory. Try our Pure Blend.
90:10: bold coffee, just a touch smoother
A small amount of chicory adds weight to the cup without hiding the coffee. It still tastes clearly of coffee, but it stands up better to milk than pure coffee does.
Choose it if you find pure coffee a little thin with milk but don't want a strong chicory taste. Try our Rich Blend.
80:20: the traditional favourite
This is the ratio many South Indian families grew up with (here's why 80:20 became the classic). There's enough chicory for a thick decoction, a deep colour and a smooth finish, while the coffee aroma stays in front. It works well with plenty of hot milk and sugar, the way filter coffee is usually served at home.
Choose it if you want the classic taste of filter coffee, or you're buying for a family with mixed preferences. Try our Classic Blend.
70:30: smooth and mellow
With more chicory, the cup becomes softer and rounder, with less of coffee's sharp edge. The body is full and the colour stays dark even with lots of milk.
Choose it if regular coffee tastes too strong or acidic for you, or you drink several cups a day and want a little less caffeine. Try our Gentle Blend.
60:40: rich chicory character
At 40% chicory, the chicory flavour is easy to notice: earthy, slightly bitter and long-lasting. The decoction is heavy and very dark.
Choose it if you like a strong, thick cup with lots of milk, or you grew up with a chicory-forward coffee and miss that taste. Try our Chicory Blend.
50:50: equal parts, for chicory fans
Half coffee, half chicory gives the deepest, heaviest cup of the range, with a distinctly chicory taste and the least caffeine. It's not for everyone, but those who love it really love it.
Choose it if you want the boldest body and lowest caffeine, or you prefer the taste of chicory to that of coffee. Try our Balanced Blend.
How the ratio changes the way you brew
The same filter, water and milk can give very different cups depending on the blend. A few things to keep in mind:
- Decoction speed. Chicory-rich blends can drip more slowly. Grind size, how much powder you use and how firmly it's packed also affect the flow. If your decoction is slow, press the powder more gently and give it more time.
- How much powder to use. Start with the amount recommended for your filter and adjust to the strength you like. With pure coffee or 90:10, you may want a little more powder for the same strength. With 60:40 or 50:50, you can often use a little less.
- Milk. The more chicory, the more milk the decoction can take before it tastes weak. A 50:50 decoction works at roughly 1 part decoction to 3 parts milk. Pure coffee tastes best a little stronger, closer to 1:2.
- Sugar. Chicory adds a mild bitterness, so chicory-rich blends often taste best with a little sugar or jaggery. Pure coffee is easier to enjoy with less sugar or none.
These are starting points, not rules. Adjust the powder, milk and sugar until the cup tastes right to you. For the full method, see how to make South Indian filter coffee.
Which ratio should you choose?
If you're still unsure, use this quick guide:
| If you… | Try |
|---|---|
| Drink it black or with little milk | Pure Blend (100:0) |
| Want strong coffee that still works with milk | Rich Blend (90:10) |
| Want the taste you grew up with | Classic Blend (80:20) |
| Find regular coffee too sharp or acidic | Gentle Blend (70:30) |
| Love a thick, dark cup with lots of milk | Chicory Blend (60:40) |
| Want the boldest body and the least caffeine | Balanced Blend (50:50) |
Never tried filter coffee before? Start with 80:20. It sits in the middle of the range, so after a few cups you'll know whether you want more coffee or more chicory next time.
Find your blend. All six Namma Coffee blends are freshly roasted in Hosur and delivered free across India. Compare all blends in our shop →
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, pure coffee or coffee with chicory?
Neither is better; they suit different tastes. Pure coffee has more aroma and caffeine. Coffee with chicory has more body and a darker, smoother cup that holds up well to milk.
What is the most popular coffee to chicory ratio?
80:20 is one of the most popular ratios for traditional South Indian filter coffee. It gives a thick decoction and a traditional taste while keeping the coffee flavour in front.
Does chicory have caffeine?
No. Chicory root is naturally caffeine-free, so a blend with more chicory has less caffeine per cup than pure coffee.
Is chicory bad for health?
No. Chicory is a roasted root that has been part of South Indian filter coffee for generations, and it's safe for most people. More in Is filter coffee good for you? It also lowers the caffeine in each cup.
Why does my chicory blend drip so slowly?
Chicory-rich blends often drip more slowly than pure coffee. Pack the powder loosely, don't press it down hard, and give the decoction more time.
Can I switch between ratios?
Yes. Many people keep two blends at home, such as pure coffee for a black morning cup and 80:20 for milk coffee later in the day.
