Profile Overview
Gandhi’s Coffee is a 65-year-old legacy roastery in Pune, growing from a small provision store into a trusted name in specialty coffee. Passing through three generations, it has embraced innovation while preserving its rich tradition. Today, it continues to serve quality coffee, engage with the community, and adapt to the evolving coffee culture
This is how coffee works today: You walk into a café, order a cup, and sip on a perfectly brewed delight. But have you ever wondered how people consumed coffee in the past? How was it manufactured with limited technology?
It turns out, the thrill of coffee has always been alive back then. This is your journey through the story of a family that built a coffee empire from scratch, navigating challenges, innovations, and changing consumer preferences across three generations.
Being in the industry for 65 years is no joke. We’ve had to constantly adapt, but the support of fellow coffee enthusiasts has made all the difference.
- Shubham Gandhi
From a name in the neighbourhood to a legacy coffee roaster in Pune
The Humble Beginnings
The story begins in the mid-20th century, in the heart of Pune’s Khadki area, where South Indian workers and businessmen longed for a fresh cup of coffee every morning. Back then, coffee wasn’t just a beverage; it was a ritual, a necessity that connected people to their roots.
Recognising this demand, a small provision store was set up by Kanayalal Gandhi who sourced fresh coffee powder for the local community. The need for quality coffee grew rapidly, and with it, the dream of a man who wanted to serve his community better. In 1958, Mr. Kanayalal founded Gandhi’s Coffee with the motive of bringing aromatic coffee to every coffee lover in his neighbourhood.
In those early days, technology was limited, but that didn’t stop Mr. Kanayalal from providing the best quality of coffee. He sourced a grinder from Bombay, carefully grinding roasted coffee beans in front of customers. The aroma was intoxicating, and the taste was unmatched. But the process was exhausting.
To keep up with increasing demand, he invested in a manual roasting machine—a 5 kg drum that had to be rolled by hand over a small charcoal fire. It was slow, labour-intensive work, but it was a start.
As the years passed and technology advanced, so did Gandhi’s Coffee. The 5 kg electric roasting machine was replaced by a 20 kg gas-powered roaster, allowing for better control over light and dark roasts. It was a game-changer, ensuring efficiency without compromising quality.
Team Gandhi's Coffee in 1970
Equip yourself with knowledge. A short course from the Coffee Board of India or a specialty coffee association course, can make a world of difference. Today, you need both knowledge and experience to thrive.
- Rajesh Gandhi
Carrying Forward the Legacy
Mr. Kanayalal’s son Rajesh Gandhi grew up around the rich aroma of freshly roast and ground beans, absorbing the nuances of coffee from an early age. After completing his diploma in business management, he stepped into the family business, bringing with him a fresh perspective and a hunger to innovate.
His advice to anyone looking to enter the coffee industry? “Equip yourself with knowledge. A short course from the Coffee Board of India or a specialty coffee association course, can make a world of difference. Today, you need both knowledge and experience to thrive.”
Rajesh has witnessed firsthand the shift in consumer awareness. Gone are the days when people drank coffee without knowing its origin. Now, consumers want to understand where their coffee comes from—the estate, the elevation, the roast profile. Specialty coffee has taken over, and Gandhi’s Coffee has embraced this transformation, ensuring that every bean they source from farms in Chikkamagaluru, Coorg, and Wayanad meets the highest standards.
Looking at the global coffee market, Rajesh sees an amazing opportunity for India to thrive. With Brazil and Vietnam facing severe droughts, nearly 33 million coffee bags worldwide are in shortage. India, one of the top coffee exporters, has the potential to fill this gap and establish itself as a leader in the specialty coffee space.
A roasting machine at work at the roastery of Gandhi's Coffee
The New Generation: A Modern Approach
Enter the third generation of Gandhi’s Coffee—Shubham Gandhi. Though trained as an architect, his love for coffee has kept him closely tied to the family business. But Shubham brings more than just passion—he brings a new vision.
He has observed a remarkable shift in Pune’s coffee culture.
"A thriving home-brewing community has emerged, with passionate home brewers experimenting with different roasts, blends, and brewing techniques,” he explains.
This demand for specialty coffee has pushed Gandhi’s Coffee to refine its craft further, offering a diverse range of roasts tailored to modern coffee connoisseurs.
To support this growing community, Gandhi’s Coffee has taken an active role in hosting events, collaborating with cafes, and sponsoring platforms which host events for home brewers to showcase their skills.
The evolution of roasters at Gandhi's Coffee
A thriving home-brewing community has emerged in Pune, with passionate home brewers experimenting with different roasts, blends, and brewing techniques.
- Shubham Gandhi
Making a Mark in the Coffee Scene
One of the most pivotal moments for Gandhi’s Coffee was its involvement in the Pune AeroPress Championship. When Shubham was introduced to the event, he saw an incredible opportunity—to not only sponsor but also immerse the brand deeper into the specialty coffee scene.
Sponsoring the championship was a bold move, one that required convincing the family that this was the right direction. But the risk paid off. The event introduced them to a whole new world of specialty coffee, manual brewing techniques, and most importantly, a community of passionate coffee lovers. The next year, the event was hosted at a different location, but the community kept growing.
Shubham highlights the importance of collaboration in the coffee industry, crediting much of their growth to working with industry pioneers. They emphasize that partnerships and knowledge-sharing have been instrumental not only in their own journey but also in strengthening and advancing the coffee community as a whole.
“Being in the industry for 65 years is no joke,” he reflects. “We’ve had to constantly adapt, but the support of fellow coffee enthusiasts has made all the difference.”
Kanayalal Gandhi and his grandson Shubham in conversation with Sakshi Kate of So,Coffee?
The Journey Continues
Three generations later, the love for coffee remains as strong as ever, even as the methods continue to evolve. What began as a small neighbourhood shop has grown into a brand known for its dedication to quality and tradition. Yet, its core values remain unchanged—the commitment to quality, community, and the unwavering pursuit of the perfect cup.
One thing remains certain—great coffee is not just about taste; it’s about the stories it tells, the hands that craft it, and the legacy it leaves behind.
