Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, is celebrated with a variety of rich and flavorful foods that can range from sweet to savory. There are many herbs and aromatics used in the dishes and desserts. If you need your coffee to stave off post-feasting slumber, here are some coffee ideas.
Coffee pairings with Diwali foods should complement the spices and textures of the dishes. Here are some coffee profiles that would pair well with typical Diwali foods:
- For Sweets like Gulab Jamun, Jalebi, and Kaju Katli:
- Medium Roast with Nutty or Chocolate Notes: A Brazil or Sumatran single-origin or a blend using these beans can provide a smooth and balanced flavor that won’t overpower the sweetness of the desserts. The subtle nutty or chocolate undertones can complement the richness of the sweets.
- For Savory Snacks like Samosas and Namkeen:
- Light to Medium Roast with Bright Acidity: A coffee with a higher acidity can cut through the richness of fried savory snacks, cleansing the palate. Coffees grown at high elevations such as a Ethiopia or Kenya fit this profile.
- For Spiced Foods like Chole (Chickpea Curry) and Aloo Tikki:
- A Spicy Note profile: A spicy and earthy profile can stand up to the bold flavors of spiced Diwali dishes. Coffee with spicy notes can complement the inherent spices in the food. Look for beans from Columbia, Guatemala, or Indonesia
- For Heavier Dishes like Biryanis and Curries:
- Full-Bodied Profile with Low Acidity: The deep, robust flavors of a full-bodied roast can harmonize with the complex spices and richness of heavier dishes without being overpowered. A lot of Indonesian coffees are low-acidity but full-bodied in flavor.
- For Cardamom and Saffron-Infused Sweets like Kheer and Laddoo:
- Coffee with Floral and Citrus Notes: The floral and citrus notes of certain coffees can pair beautifully with the aromatic qualities of cardamom and saffron. Look for Ethiopia, Costa Rica or Columbian beans,
When pairing coffee with Diwali foods, consider the intensity of the coffee’s roast and its tasting notes to ensure a harmonious balance with the foods being served. The goal is to either complement or pleasantly contrast the flavors, creating a delightful culinary experience for the festivities.
Kopi Social’s pick for this Diwali is the Ethiopia Yirgecheffe Aricha G1 by Curate Coffee Roasters and the Higher Region Grupo Jalapa from Nicaragua byt CloudCatcher Asia.
The Aricha G1 is a medium-bodied coffee featuring notes of butterscotch, vanilla, and chocolate to wrap up a sweet dinner. The Grupo Jalapa features a bit more acidity but plenty of fruity flavors to cleanse the palate after a heavy meal. It has notes of honey, passionfruit, pineapple, hint of lychee, and guava.
