Why I Started Black Pole Coffee: A Journey from Passion to Purpose

Blog post by Manish Adlakha (Co-founder - Black Pole Coffee)

Growing up in India, coffee was more or less always on the fringes as a beverage. It was much later (a chance encounter with a college friend in his estate in Karnataka) that I realised that for a large part of our population, it was so much more than just a beverage — it was a ritual, a moment of pause, a connection point across generations. And I was hooked on. Thus, started a years-long love affair with coffee which continues till date.

Yet, despite India’s deep history with coffee cultivation and its world-class estates, I have often noticed a gap in how Indian coffee was perceived and experienced. Cafés served coffee, yes, but rarely did they celebrate its origin. Roasters existed, but many catered only to the mass market, compromising on quality. Something was missing — something honest, craft-driven, and proudly Indian.

That gap is where Black Pole Coffee was born.

The Seed Was Brewing for Years

Before launching Black Pole Coffee, I had a deep curiosity about coffee — the kind that made me travel countries, explore estates, meet farmers, question roasting profiles, and sip through countless cups to understand flavour notes. I wasn’t from a traditional coffee background, but that outsider perspective allowed me to see things more clearly. I saw potential where others saw limits. I saw stories in beans that hadn’t been told.

In every good café, I saw an opportunity. In every dull brew, I saw a reason to do better.

Creating a Brand With a Roaster’s Soul and a Partner’s Heart

Black Pole Coffee was never meant to be just another coffee company. We don’t run cafés. We don’t chase fads. We focus on what we do best — roasting exceptional coffee and helping cafes, hotels, and restaurants serve better coffee to their customers.

Our core customers are the ones who serve others. Whether it’s a neighbourhood café brewing for morning regulars, or a five-star hotel curating an artisanal experience for global guests — we support them with quality beans, expert roasting, and consistency they can count on.

That B2B-first mindset is what makes us different.

We aren’t trying to be everywhere. We’re trying to be right where it matters.

Sourcing with Intention. Roasting with Integrity.

We source our beans from India’s finest coffee-growing regions — from lush Chikmagalur to the estates of Coorg and the Nilgiris. These aren’t just places on a map. They’re home to farmers who take immense pride in their crops. At Black Pole Coffee, we work directly and transparently with them, choosing lots based on quality, traceability, and ethical practices.

Then comes the roast — where our intent is simple: preserve the bean’s character, don’t mask it.

Each profile we create is fine-tuned for its purpose — be it a smooth filter brew or a bold espresso shot. Our coffees tell stories — of berries, jasmine, red apples, cinnamon spice, lime zest, or dark chocolate. And every one of them carries the fingerprint of Indian terroir.

The Drip Bag Revolution

And then, we didn’t want to be only a B2B brand.

That deep sense of service, to serve the best of Indian Coffee to end-customers meant we had to step in to sell directly to end-consumers. Already, through referrals, word of mouth & tracing coffees served at our partner cafes, we have built a strong & consistent base of end-consumers who order their beans directly from us.

And we want more and more people to experience the quality of Indian Coffees. Hence, the introduction of drip bag coffees — specialty coffee packed for convenience, brewed without any equipment, and enjoyed anywhere. But here’s the twist: these aren’t just easy-to-make coffees. They’re specialty-grade, thoughtfully crafted, and perfectly roasted.

Our drip bags — like Arabica Heights, Caffeine Drive, Mocha Trail, and more — let everyday coffee lovers experience the kind of brews usually reserved for high-end cafés.

• No machine is needed
• No grinding required
• You just pour hot water and enjoy

This is what excites us — making great coffee accessible, without compromise.

“Drip bags make specialty coffee travel with you — in your bag, in your pocket, in your morning ritual.”

Mission & Vision: Where We’re Headed

As we grow, it’s important to stay rooted in why we do this.

Our Mission

To craft and deliver exceptional, Indian-origin specialty coffee for our partners and customers — celebrating the richness of our beans and empowering partners to serve every cup with pride, purpose, and authenticity.

Our Vision

To be the leading name in specialty coffee roasting from India, known globally for elevating the café experience through consistent quality, sustainable sourcing, and a deep respect for the craft of coffee.

What Black Pole Stands For

Black Pole Coffee isn’t just a business — it’s a brand built on clarity, character, and craft. We stand for:

• Partnership, not just supply — We’re not just a vendor. We’re your coffee partner. We grow with our clients.
• Indian origin, proudly presented — We don’t need to import greatness. We roast it here.
• Quality without compromise — Whether for 5-star hotels or tiny hill cafés, every batch gets our best.

Looking Ahead

There’s still so much to do. We’re exploring new processing methods, developing new blends, launching more innovations in the ready-to-brew space, exploring international markets, and working to make Indian specialty coffee a global conversation. The journey is long, but the direction is clear.

Our goal is simple:

To make Indian coffee known, respected, and celebrated — across tables, across borders.

I started Black Pole Coffee not just to sell beans — but to celebrate Indian coffee, elevate experiences, and redefine what people expect from a cup.

And in every partner café, every morning brew, and every sip from a drip bag — that mission is quietly coming to life.