Questions and answers
Frequently asked questions
Everything customers actually ask us, grouped the way you would think about it. Can’t find yours? Ask us directly on WhatsApp.
Ordering and delivery
How do I order?
Add what you want to the cart on this site and tap the order button. It opens WhatsApp with your order already typed out, addressed to Sundaram Coffee Works. Send it and we confirm the order, the total and the delivery details with you directly.
Can I pay online?
Not on this site. There is no checkout or card payment here; the cart only puts your order together and hands it to WhatsApp. Payment is arranged with you directly once the order is confirmed.
Do you ship outside Tamil Nadu?
Yes, anywhere in India. Delivery is ₹50 once your total order reaches 500 g, and ₹100 below that, charged once on the whole order rather than per pack.
Do you ship outside India?
No. We do not offer international shipping at the moment.
How much is delivery?
It depends on where you are and how much your order weighs in total, not on how many packs you order. Inside Tamil Nadu, delivery is free at 500 g or more and ₹50 below that. Elsewhere in India, it is ₹50 at 500 g or more and ₹100 below that.
How long does delivery take?
We have not published a fixed delivery time, because it depends on your order and your location. We confirm an actual delivery estimate with you on WhatsApp once your order is placed, before anything is dispatched.
Can I order in bulk?
Yes. Bulk orders are roasted after the order is placed rather than from an existing stock, so message us on WhatsApp with the quantity you need and we will work out the timing and the price with you.
Can I send this as a gift?
Yes, plenty of people do. Tell us on WhatsApp that it is a gift and where it should go, and we will sort the delivery details with you. We do not currently offer gift wrapping or a printed gift note.
The coffee itself
Is it sold as ground powder or whole beans?
Ground powder, ready for a South Indian filter. Your coffee is ground and packed after you place your order, not pulled off a shelf, which is part of why we ask you to tell us how you plan to brew it.
Will you grind it for a different brewer, like a drip machine or French press?
Ask us on WhatsApp when you order and we will talk it through with you. Our standard grind is set for the South Indian filter, so if you are using something else, tell us and we will see what we can do.
What does 80:20 mean?
80:20 means 80% coffee and 20% chicory by weight; 100% Coffee means no chicory at all. Neither is automatically better, they are simply different. Read the full explanation in Learn.
What is chicory?
A root vegetable, roasted and ground, that is traditionally blended with coffee in South India. It has no caffeine of its own and gives the cup extra body, colour and a rounder bitterness. The full story is in Learn.
Is 100% coffee better than a blend?
No. It is coffee without chicory, which suits some cups and not others. Whether you prefer it depends on the coffee you grew up drinking, not on any quality ladder. We explain this properly in Learn.
What is the difference between Signature, Classic and Strong?
They describe intent, not a hierarchy. Signature is our most refined blend, for a morning you take slowly. Classic is the everyday coffee most Chidambaram homes actually drink. Strong is built to do a job before the day starts, and it is our value option. Each comes as 80:20 or as 100% Coffee.
Where does your coffee come from?
It is selected from established coffee-growing regions of Karnataka and Kerala. We do not publish specific districts, estates or supplier names.
Brewing and storage
How should I store my coffee?
Keep the pack closed, away from heat and direct light, and out of the fridge door, where moisture and other smells get in every time it opens. Buy an amount you will actually finish rather than the largest pack on offer. The reasons why are in Learn.
How long does it keep?
We do not have a verified shelf life to quote here, so we would rather not invent one. What we can tell you is that ground coffee starts losing aroma from the moment it is ground, which is why we grind and pack after your order rather than in advance, and why it is worth buying only what you will use in a reasonable time.
How do I make filter coffee at home?
Coffee goes in the upper chamber of the filter, hot water is poured over it, and it drips slowly into decoction below. That decoction is then mixed with hot milk and sugar and poured between a tumbler and a dabarah. Every pack lists our brewing note, and Learn covers the full method.
Why does my coffee come out bitter, or watery?
Usually the same problem seen from two sides: too much has been extracted from the grounds, or too little. Grind size, water temperature, time and how much coffee you use all move that needle. Learn walks through what to change first.
The shop
Can I visit the shop?
Yes. We are at 180 Bazaar Street, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu 608001, and have been trading from there since 1943. Message us on WhatsApp before you travel and we will tell you when to come.
What are your opening hours?
We have not published fixed hours here yet. Message us on WhatsApp before you visit and we will tell you exactly when to come.
Are you GST registered? Can I get a GST invoice?
No. Sundaram Coffee Works is below the GST registration threshold, so we are not GST registered, there is no GST number, and no GST is charged on any order.
How do I contact you?
WhatsApp or call +91 72001 87285, or email inquiry@sundaramcoffee.com. WhatsApp is the fastest way to reach us, and it is also how we take orders.
How long has Sundaram Coffee Works been around?
We have been trading from Bazaar Street, Chidambaram since 13 May 1943, roasting, blending, grinding and packing everything in-house the whole time.
Still have a question?
Message us directly and we will answer you ourselves, not a bot.
Ask on WhatsApp