If you've spotted "Soy Coffee" on UmedMart and wondered whether it's actually coffee, it isn't — not in the roasted-bean sense. It's a roasted, ground blend made mainly from soybeans, prepared the same way you'd prepare instant coffee: a spoonful stirred into hot water or milk. Two SHG-made versions are currently in stock on UmedMart, from two different districts, and they're not identical. Here's what separates them, and what to expect if you've never tried soy coffee before.
What soy coffee actually is
Soy coffee is made by roasting soybeans (sometimes with other grains added to the blend) and grinding them into a fine powder, the same basic idea as chicory-based "coffee" substitutes sold elsewhere in India. Because it isn't made from coffee beans, it doesn't taste identical to filter coffee or instant coffee — it has its own roasted, nutty profile, and soy itself doesn't naturally contain caffeine the way coffee beans do. That's the main reason people reach for it: not as a coffee substitute in flavour, but as a warm, roasted hot drink for days they're skipping caffeine.
SWAMI SOYA COFFEE — Karad, Satara
SWAMI SOYA COFFEE (500g) is made by Siddhesh Samuha, a rural collective in Karad, Satara district. It's priced at ₹647.72 for the 500g pack and is currently the only pack size of this brand in stock on UmedMart (the 250g and 100g packs are out of stock at the time of writing). The product listing describes it as a natural, plant-based blend with no artificial flavour, prepared in small batches.
RAJNANDINI SOY COFFEE — Latur
RAJNANDINI SOY COFFEE (400g) is made by a women's Self-Help Group in Latur district, priced at ₹459 for the 400g pack. Like SWAMI, it's a soy-based blend with no artificial flavour or added chemicals, made in small batches so the group can keep an eye on roasting and grinding quality.
Quick comparison
| Brand | Pack size in stock | Price | SHG / District |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWAMI SOYA COFFEE | 500g | ₹647.72 | Siddhesh Samuha, Karad, Satara |
| RAJNANDINI SOY COFFEE | 400g | ₹459 | Women's SHG, Latur |
On a per-100g basis, RAJNANDINI works out cheaper (roughly ₹115/100g versus roughly ₹130/100g for SWAMI), though the SWAMI pack is the larger single purchase if you're buying for a household that goes through it quickly.
How to make it
Both brands are prepared the same simple way:
- Boil water, milk, or a mix of both.
- Add roughly 1–2 teaspoons of the powder per cup, depending on how strong you like it.
- Stir well so the powder dissolves rather than settling at the bottom.
- Sweeten with sugar or jaggery to taste, or leave it unsweetened.
- Serve hot.
Who tends to buy soy coffee
Based on how these products are described and used, soy coffee mostly appeals to two kinds of buyers: people who are cutting back on caffeine but still want a warm, roasted drink in their routine, and people who simply want to try a soy-based alternative to their usual hot beverage. It isn't marketed as a medicinal or therapeutic product, and UmedMart doesn't position it as one — it's a beverage choice, the same way you'd choose between filter coffee and chai.
FAQs
Does soy coffee taste like real coffee?
Not exactly. It has its own roasted, nutty flavour rather than replicating the taste of coffee made from roasted coffee beans. Think of it as a distinct beverage that happens to be prepared and served the same way as coffee, rather than a coffee dupe.
Is soy coffee caffeinated?
Soybeans don't naturally contain caffeine, unlike coffee beans. Neither product page for these two blends lists caffeine as an ingredient.
Which one should I buy — SWAMI or RAJNANDINI?
Both are soy-based blends with no artificial flavour, made in small batches by a Maharashtra SHG. RAJNANDINI's 400g pack costs less overall and per 100g; SWAMI's 500g pack is the larger single purchase. Beyond price and pack size, the two are similar enough that either is a reasonable starting point if you're trying soy coffee for the first time.
Can I make it with milk instead of water?
Yes — both product listings describe boiling water, milk, or a mix of the two before stirring in the powder.
Browse UmedMart's full range of tea and coffee products, or read more about the women's SHGs behind products like these in our piece on rural artisans and Self-Help Groups.
एक टिप्पणी द्या