Coffee consumption has increased in urban areas in recent years due to increasing incomes and growing number of coffee lovers. This has boosted the coffee business with coffee shops popping up in every nook and corner of the city. International coffeehouse chains are also entering the country. Young entrepreneurs, in particular, are making forays into the coffeehouse business.     

According to a coffee shop owner at Thapathali, he sells around 350 cups of coffee on a normal day. The shop charges Rs120 per cup. Coffee shop owners in the Kathmandu Valley are trying new concepts to keep up with the trends that attract customers. They are focusing on interior decoration and launching special offers.

Coffee 2 Go Nepal provides mobile coffee services out of a coffee van. The coffee shop delivers coffee to different events and offices. Coffee 2 Go Nepal prides itself on providing the drink at any time and at any place at reasonable prices. Coffee shops are not only places to hang out. They have also emerged as spaces where one can work and build networks. Coffee may be known as a drink of the young generation, but middle-aged people are also seen enjoying varieties of coffee, said a coffee shop owner.

As there is stiff competition in the coffee shop market, new concepts have been increasing in recent years. Himalayan Beanz Coffee provides co-working space, books and indoor games along with coffee to their customers. Sudip Khadka, CEO of Himalayan Beanz Coffee, said that people were interested in trying new things. “The coffee drinking culture is gaining pace in the Valley,” he said. The price of coffee at Himalayan Beanz ranges from Rs110-280.  

With the number of entrepreneurs increasing in the country, the need for small work spaces for individuals or groups has grown, said a coffee shop owner. Seeing that such spaces were lacking, coffee shops have started providing space on their premises.  

Ventures Cafe and Bikalpa Art Cafe provided co-working spaces including cafe services. Venture Cafe, themed as co-work, connect and chill, started operation two years ago. The cafe does not charge extra for using its co-working space. Even office workers come here to work to escape disturbances at their work places, said an employee at the cafe. Bikalpa Art Cafe charges 

Rs6,500 for individuals and Rs3,500 for sharing a table, said owner Saroj Mahato.     

According to the National Tea and Coffee Production Board, Nepal earned Rs65.89 million by exporting 163 tonnes of roasted coffee beans while it spent Rs93.72 million on importing 84 tonnes of instant coffee. Nepal produces 513 tonnes of coffee annually.

There are over 100 coffee species. The two main varieties that are widely produced and sold are Arabica and Robusta. Nepal produces and exports Arabica coffee which is typically grown at a height of 1,000 to 2,000 metres. Coffee is grown in 42 districts in Nepal. Gulmi, Arghakhanchi, Pyuthan, Palpa and Syangja are the largest coffee producing districts in the country.