Specialty coffee in India is no longer just about getting a caffeine boost. People are now more interested in the origin of the beans, the skill involved in preparation, and the overall café atmosphere. Libertario, a coffee brand from Colombia, is wagering that this trend is just getting underway. Following the inauguration of its first Indian café in Delhi's Greater Kailash-II in July 2025, the company is set to embark on a carefully managed expansion into key urban centers. Miguel Villaquirán, who leads Libertario's India business, speaks about bringing a family legacy built on coffee farming and hospitality to India, the economics of premium cafés, sourcing beans across continents, and why the brand believes clustering, and not rapid expansion, is the key to winning the Indian market. Edited excerpts.
The Economic Times (ET): Libertario has a long history in Colombia. Tell us about the company’s origins and what inspired you to bring the brand to India.
