A Different Brew: Crafting Coffee and Chai with Purpose

Of Cafes.

Some days of the week, I stop by a unique cafe amid the sprawling billion-dollar corporate campus. I want to share its story today.

Read the below free post that shows the shiny new site housing the teams of American and European firms.

What does Indian 'juggad' or hack look like?

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The cafe is run by a non-profit organization, called ‘Mitti’ (or Soil/Earth) in Hindi which hires people with disabilities, trains them, and with some corporate assistance gives them jobs in cafes run by them entirely.

Mitti is female-founded and female-led, a rarity in entrepreneurial circles, and supported by many Indian, American, and European multinational firms and their corporate sustainability initiatives. The cafe is sponsored by IT firms, including Microland that works with global customers.

The Bangalore cafe’s cash till is operated by a cashier who is a wheelchair-user and is assisted by the building’s facilities team when he arrives and departs every day.

The rest of the team serves the customers by serving vendor offerings like a modern-day cafe - they make a mean Americano with pride as well as a local favorite - a ‘matka’ (pot) ‘masala’ (spicy) ‘chai.’ (tea) - the tea is served in an earthen pot like the one shown below. The cafe sits in a prime location spot amid the sprawling modern food court that also houses Taco Bell and Popeyes.

Did you know that earthen pots have been used in India for ages, for drinks, hot and cold? They have been traced back to the Indus Valley Civilization digs. During the summer, large mud pots keep water cool and are used everywhere in office buildings and local homes as cheap storage, some now are even updated to have a tap!

But our focus is the matka pot.

You can buy turmeric-saffron infused almond milk, served from a large cauldron being heated live, on a cold winter’s evening in some markets of Delhi, and served piping hot in these matkas.

Travel tip: Don’t miss it if you are in Delhi during November-January.

Fair use, Indiamart.

Back at the local Mitti cafe, some days when I visit, I buy something - whether it is a single samosa with spicy mint chutney, and sweet tamarind chutney (Rs. 50 = $0.61), with a coffee ($0.80), or a matka masala chai ($0.62).

But mostly, I visit to show my support, offer a warm hello, and witness the genuine joy on their faces. The cashier welcomes with a huge grin, while the entire team collectively delights in serving customers. Their happiness is palpable as they work, contribute, and earn—a demeanor that reflects the dignity they experience as valued members of this well-run cafe.

Some of their stories are here.

I wanted to share my experience with you, offering a glimpse of the real India through this visit of the 'Mitti' cafe today!

Cafe Mitti in Bangalore.