Indian Coffee House: The story behind Kerala’s iconic beetroot cutlet and red masala dosa

Red cutlets. Red masala dosa. That unmistakable beetroot sauce. What makes Indian Coffee House’s food so distinctive, and how did these iconic dishes become part of Kerala’s food memories?

In this episode of Served Since, we explore the fascinating history of Indian Coffee House, from its beginnings as a workers’ movement to its evolution into one of India’s largest worker-owned coffee-house networks.

Discover how the workers took charge after the Coffee Board’s coffee houses closed in 1957, how AKG helped shape the cooperative movement, and how employees went on to become the owners of the institution they once served.

We also trace the origins of the signature beetroot masala, the much-loved vegetable cutlet, Bombay toast and coffee. From the distinctive royal-style uniforms and traditional service to the political debates, friendships and cultural gatherings around its tables, this is the story of an institution that generations of Malayalis have made their own.