Meet the Behals, India's first coffee partners

New Delhi: Harshit Behal and Yugein Behal have launched Saiko coffee. The need for this brand of coffee was borne out of the need to have a company that can provide coffee to businesses like restaurants, cafes and hotels.

The co-founders spoke to www.thedelhijunction.com about their initiative.

Q. What inspired you to start this coffee brand?

A. Coming from a background where we used to run cafés, we realised there was a major gap in the B2B coffee market. Most roasteries were focused entirely on D2C, selling through their websites or their own cafés. While restaurants, cafés and hotels were left without true partners who could support them end-to-end.

We wanted to change that. Instead of being just another coffee vendor, our vision was to become India’s first coffee partner - someone who could work closely with hospitality businesses, help them develop their recipes, create consistent blends, and ensure quality from start to finish. Saiko Coffee was born from the desire to transform the B2B coffee ecosystem in India and truly empower businesses with reliable, craft-driven, premium coffee solutions.

Q. Is there a personal story behind the brand name?

A. Yes. “Saiko” stems from the Japanese word meaning the best, supreme or ultimate. That philosophy reflects exactly how I wanted the brand to feel: calm, mindful, crafted to perfection, and absolutely quality-first. It’s a daily reminder for us to aim for the highest standard in everything, from sourcing and roasting to the final cup.

Harshit Behal, a co-founder of Saiko coffee

Q. What gap did you see in the coffee market that motivated you to enter it?

A. When we were running cafés, we realised that the biggest gap wasn’t in retail coffee but it was in the B2B space. Restaurants, cafés and hotels had very few roasteries who actually understood their needs. Most coffee brands were focused on selling directly to consumers, while businesses were left managing inconsistent blends, lack of training support, and almost no guidance on recipe development.

We saw a clear opportunity to step in as true partners. The market needed a coffee company that could offer reliability, consistency, customised blends and real operational support, not just beans. That gap is exactly what motivated us to build Saiko Coffee as a B2B-driven brand designed to uplift the entire hospitality ecosystem.

Q. What makes your coffee unique compared to others?

A. We own the process end-to-end. Our beans are grown organically in Chikmagalur, directly sourced from farmers we’ve built real relationships with. We roast in small batches, tailoring each roast to bring out the bean’s full character. No blends that mask flavour, no shortcuts - just honest, premium coffee that’s traceable, fresh and crafted with intention. Our goal is to bring out the natural complexity of Indian coffee in every cup.

Yugein Behal, a co-founder of Saiko Coffee

Q. How do you source your coffee beans, and from which regions?

A. We work directly with growers in Chikmagalur, Karnataka, India’s oldest and most respected coffee-growing region. Our sourcing is fully transparent. The farms follow organic and sustainable practices, and because we source directly, we have complete control over quality from harvest to roast. This also ensures fair compensation to growers and consistent flavour for our customers.

Q. What are the key flavours or notes people can expect from your blends?

A. We’ve spent a lot of time understanding the Indian palate, and one thing is very clear is most people still prefer their coffee with milk. So all our roast profiles are custom-tailored for that experience. Our blends are developed to deliver a smooth, rich and chocolatey flavour that holds up beautifully in milk-based beverages. Whether it’s a cappuccino, cold coffee or a signature café drink, the taste remains consistent, balanced and full-bodied.

Q. Do you collaborate with cafés, influencers, or other brands?

A. We currently collaborate with several cafés, restaurants and hospitality brands that serve Saiko Coffee, including Kampai, Basque, Café Delhi Heights, Sandoz, Bloom Hotels and more. While we haven’t partnered with influencers yet, we’re actively looking forward to building meaningful collaborations with creators, mixologists and brands who align with our vision. For us, collaborations are a powerful way to introduce more people to Indian coffee, and we’re excited to explore this space in the near future.

Tags : Yugein Behal, Harshit Behal, Saiko coffee, Chikmagalur, B2B