What makes a cup of coffee memorable? Is it the roast, the brewing method, or the story it carries long before it reaches the cup?

Students from the Hospitality Business Leadership (HBL) program at SP Jain Global explored these questions during an immersive visit to Nandan Coffee in Kala Ghoda, a café where every cup traces its roots back to the hills of Kodaikanal.

The visit began with Yahvi Mariwala, a third-generation Co-founder and Managing Director, of Nandan Coffee, who shared the story behind the brand. She took students back to Nandanvan Estate, where her family has cultivated coffee across three generations using organic and sustainable farming practices.

Students discovered that Nandan's philosophy extends far beyond serving a good cup of coffee. Every decision, from growing the beans and roasting them to designing the café experience is shaped by the belief that coffee should reflect care, craftsmanship, and authenticity.

The experience then shifted from storytelling to technique as Seher Sodhan, the cafés Brand and Community Experience Manager guided students through the journey of a coffee bean, from plantation to cup. She unpacked the science behind cultivation, processing, roasting, and brewing, helping students understand how each stage influences the final flavour.

Using the Nandan flavour wheel, students also learned to describe coffee beyond familiar terms like "strong" or "bitter." Instead, they explored the subtle notes that define specialty coffee, discovering how roast profiles, origin, and brewing methods work together to create distinct sensory experiences.

The visit concluded with a thoughtfully curated coffee and food pairing, demonstrating how flavour combinations, presentation, and ambience can elevate a simple café visit into a memorable hospitality experience.

For HBL students, the session was more than an introduction to specialty coffee. It offered a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to build a successful hospitality brand; one that blends agricultural heritage, technical expertise, thoughtful storytelling, and customer experience.