Latest news with #BlueTokai
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Indian Express
Budan One Touch Coffee Machine: An espresso shot in under a minute
My first experience with a Nespresso machine was funny in many ways. I still don't know where that pod ended up in my hotel room in Barcelona. That was almost 15 years back, and I was a novice when it came to any form of coffee other than my daily black coffee with its chicory mix. Now, I have extreme tastes when it comes to my coffee, and this is the only poison I spend good money on. I prefer to grind my medium roast beans fresh every morning and then let them brew in my French press for a few minutes. And this is also why I wanted to know if the new Budan One Touch Coffee Machine could meet my expectations and requirements. The Budan One Touch is a very compact coffee machine that could even find a place in your office cabin. It has a water tank at the back, separate options to slip in a coffee pod or ground powder, as well as a milk container in case you are looking to brew a latte or cappuccino. On the front, you have three LEDs that offer you two sizes of brews and an option for milk-infused coffees. The process is simple. Once the machine is plugged in with the water tank full, you decide what type of coffee you prefer. If you are going to use powder, then you use that attachment, fill it to the point mentioned, and press it in with the spoon in the box. Then you slip the attachment into the machine—it will not go in if you have more powder than recommended—keep a cup below and start to brew by pressing the button as per the size you want. What impressed me most about the machine is how quickly it heats up and readies to brew. In a few seconds, you see coffee start to drip out of the machine, and your cup is ready in under a minute. But remember, the large size is not much more than a large double espresso. If you want to use a large coffee mug to brew, then you have to take off the base and make more space. The coffee machine comes with a milk container that plugs in as an appendage. If you press the third cappuccino button, then the machine pulls in frothy milk from this can along with the decoction. I am not a big fan of milky coffee and hence use the appendage very rarely. A small issue is that at times, the cappuccino button does not light up for you to press. I was not sure why this was happening. But you can use this to make different types of milk coffee. For black coffee drinkers like me, just the base machine is enough. I tried it with both my regular ground coffee and Blue Tokai's pods. The former works well, though I prefer a stronger brew. There is only a limited amount of powder you can add here; I felt I needed more. The pods make a much stronger coffee and are perfect for those who love espresso. The Budan One Touch Coffee Machine is easy to manage, as cleaning is a simple process, and there are no complicated parts here. It is only with the milk container and its pipes that you will need to be a bit careful, by cleaning them soon after use. At Rs 15,999, this is a good machine for those who love espressos and other machine-made types of coffee. This is compact enough to be used at homes as well as offices, and this is why there could be many buyers for this. As for me, I prefer my French Press and will stick to that for my daily brew. Nandagopal Rajan writes on technology, gadgets and everything related. He has worked with the India Today Group and Hindustan Times. He is an alumnus of Calicut University and Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Dhenkanal. ... Read More
Yahoo
12-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters to enter Middle East with Ambrosia Gulf
Indian speciality coffee company Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters has revealed plans to expand into the Middle East through a partnership with Ambrosia Gulf. Ambrosia Gulf will serve as the company's master franchisee for the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region. The initiative will commence with the opening of a Blue Tokai café in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in the fourth quarter (Q4) of 2025. Currently operating more than 175 cafés in India and maintaining an international presence with cafés and a roastery in Tokyo, Japan, Blue Tokai is now set to establish its footprint in the Middle East through this collaboration. Blue Tokai co-founder and CEO Matt Chitranjan stated: 'It's an exciting time for Blue Tokai as we grow beyond India into a market that appreciates traceability, craft and community.' Chitranjan added that Ambrosia Gulf contributes extensive operational expertise and a deep understanding of local consumer expectations. Ambrosia Gulf is part of Ambrosia Foods Group, supported by Pulsar Capital, an investment company active in India, the Middle East and other emerging markets. Pulsar Capital focuses on developing sustainable, scaleable businesses with strategic and operational guidance. In India, Ambrosia is preparing to introduce Papa Johns, with its first location planned for September 2025. In the GCC, Ambrosia Gulf already oversees the Biryani By Kilo franchise. In addition to opening cafés, Blue Tokai and Ambrosia Gulf will bring the brand's fast-moving consumer goods offerings to the GCC. The partnership will make Blue Tokai's products available to café customers, the HoReCa sector (hotels, restaurants, cafés), and direct-to-consumer channels, broadening the brand's presence across the region. Ambrosia Gulf executive chairman Vish Narain stated: 'We're excited to bring Blue Tokai to the UAE and share its incredible coffee story with the region. 'We're focused on building brands that prioritise quality, authenticity, and customer experience — values that Blue Tokai exemplifies. 'This partnership aligns perfectly with our vision to thoughtfully grow premium food and beverage offerings across the GCC.' In September 2025, global investment company Verlinvest acquired a significant stake in Blue Tokai. "Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters to enter Middle East with Ambrosia Gulf" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Fashion Value Chain
18-06-2025
- Business
- Fashion Value Chain
Blue Tokai Launches ‘Origins', a Space Celebrating Craft and its Roots
Blue Tokai, India's leading specialty coffee brand, is stepping beyond its core cafe model with the launch of Blue Tokai Origins, a new experience built for people to slow down and taste the story behind their food. The first Origins cafe has opened on Ireo Grand View High Street, First Floor, Sector-58, Gurugram. 'Origins is where everything we've been building over the last decade comes together – the coffee, the craft, the community, the partners. It's not just a larger cafe; it's a space to slow down, try something new, and reconnect with what you love about coffee, alongside the warmth of a live bakery and an artisanally crafted menu with locally sourced ingredients. Every detail, from the brewing bar to the live bakery, has been designed to deepen the experience of connection and flavour,' said Shivam Shahi, Co-founder, Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters. Blue Tokai Origins – Play Bar Inside Blue Tokai Origins Spread across 2,000 square feet, Origins is designed as a sensorial, layered space that deepens Blue Tokai's promise of craft and transparency. Guests will find experiences curated to highlight the process and people behind every offering. Manual Brewing, Made Immersive Set apart from the main coffee counter where espresso-based drinks are served, Origins features a dedicated manual brewing station called the Play Bar. With the most extensive selection of manual brewing techniques ever introduced in a Blue Tokai space, coffee lovers can now taste their way through seven distinct methods, including the Chemex, Syphon, Slow Drip, and more. Each method brings out unique facets of coffee, from the body to the acidity, and is explained by trained baristas. Adding to this experience is the Nitro Cold Brew tap, serving chilled, nitrogen-infused single-origin cold brew, crafted using the Baby Hardtank, a patented technology that extracts a wider range of flavour compounds. The Coffee Cellar At the Play Bar, some of Blue Tokais rarest lots, frozen at peak flavour, are preserved in a temperature-controlled space called The Coffee Cellar. The selection includes some of Blue Tokais highest-scoring coffees, including lots that are shared as part of their coveted Producer Series. These are brewed exclusively as Pour Overs using tailored recipes to bring out their best. Live Bakery by Suchali's Artisan Bakehouse A standout part of the Origins experience is the live, glass-walled bakery, run by Suchali's Artisan Bakehouse. From smell to sight, the bakery adds a warm, sensory layer to the space. Here, visitors can witness the process of craft baking, unfolding live. Hand-shaped sourdough loaves, twice-baked croissants, cookies, and beyond are crafted here from scratch. The artisanal breads baked here are slow fermented using natural cultures. They are also available for customers to take home, fresh off the rack. Blue Tokai Origins A Comfort-First, Craft-Led Menu The menu is designed in collaboration with Chef Auroni Mukherjee, one of India's most celebrated young chefs, known for his flavour-first approach to modern Indian food. It blends warmth and technique, reflective of the brand's own identity, rooted in mastery; without losing its accessibility to its wide audiences. Think: Handmade pasta with flavour twists like the Chilli Crunch Carbonara. Gourmet club sandwiches and open-faced toasts built on signature sourdough breads by Suchalis Artisan Bakehouse. Dishes made using farm-sourced produce from trusted partners like Krishi Cress and Shroomery. A selection of desserts by Suchali's Artisan Bakehouse, featuring familiar comforts and sweet surprises like the classic Tiramisu and a light-yet-decadent Coconut Berry Lamington. â It's food that feels familiar, but with depth, balance, and an attention to detail you can taste. An Ode to Blue Tokai's Mission Throughout Origins, visual storytelling highlights the people and processes behind the brand – from the farms Blue Tokai sources from to the story of Suchali's Artisan Bakehouse. Walls, installations, and little details create an unfolding narrative for guests to engage with at their own pace. Blue Tokai Origins is designed to evolve with its community. In the months ahead, the brand will host producers, run interactive workshops on brewing and baking, and curate sensory experiences that help customers see coffee in new, meaningful ways. For those looking to slow down, dive deeper into coffee, and taste the story behind their food, Origins offers a space unlike any other. About Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters is India's leading specialty coffee brand founded in 2013, dedicated to sourcing, roasting, and brewing coffee from 80+ of Indias finest coffee farms. Their mission is rooted in making high-quality Indian specialty coffee accessible to more and more people through their cafes and products. With a commitment to quality and innovation, the brand has built a loyal community of coffee lovers and continues to redefine coffee culture in India. For more information, visit
Mint
22-04-2025
- Business
- Mint
A91 Partners launches its largest-ever fund at $665 mn to back growth startups
Mumbai: A91 Partners, which has backed prominent startups such as HealthKart, Blue Tokai and Giva, announced on Tuesday the first close of its third India-focused fund with a corpus of $665 million, its largest till date, underscoring sustained investor appetite for the nation's burgeoning startup scene. 'We are incredibly grateful to both our investors and the founders that have partnered with us and continue to inspire and educate us. We started... with the beliefs ..patient capital will play an important role in accelerating value creation in Indian businesses across sectors' the investment firm said in a LinkedIn post. Founded in 2018 by former Sequoia Capital executives V.T. Bharadwaj, Gautam Mago and Abhay Pandey, A91 began with the aim of backing growth-stage companies in various sectors such as consumer goods and services (food, home and personal care, consumer service, retail, etc), financial services (specialist lending, saving, insurance, etc.), healthcare (consumption-driven pharma and healthcare services) and technology (software products and services). The launch of the fund comes nearly four years after it raised its second fund at $550 million to invest in 15-17 companies. The fund was backed by several marquee investors including International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank's private-sector investment arm, that invested $25 million into the fund. The maiden fund was raised in 2019 at about $351 million. Some of its other portfolio companies include The House of Rare, Ummeed Housing Finance, Akshayakalpa Organic, Eat Club, Fin Box, Happilo, Atomberg and Paper Boat. A91 Partners joins the growing list of several investment firms such as Accel, Prime Ventures, Stellaris Ventures and Bessemer Ventures that have raised funds in recent months. India Quotient is also in the market to raise its largest-ever fund at $130 million, the company told Mint in February. Some VC firms, however, don't plan to increase the corpus for their next funds. Blume Ventures, which will also go to market to raise capital, intends to maintain them at about $290 million for the next two funds. On the other hand, Peak XV slashed its $2.85 billion India and Southeast Asia fund by $465 million to reduce its cost of capital last year. First Published: 22 Apr 2025, 04:44 PM IST
