The perfect blend

They say all you need is love and a cup of coffee. And coffee fans who can’t kickstart their day without a mug of this steaming, hot drink will vouch for the magic-like properties of this beverage that seems like a liquid hug to your brain. Which is why a great expresso-flavoured cheer went up in the air when India Post recently launched new coffee scented stamps in Bengaluru. Priced at Rs 100, this is the fourth fragrant stamp that India Post has issued, adding to its collection of sandalwood, rose and jasmine.

“This is a wonderful initiative by the government. The stamp will be a wonderful collector’s item; a true treasure for any philatelist as well as coffee lovers because after all, who doesn’t love the heady aroma of a good brew?” says Mihika Mavinkurve, a nutritionist.

She adds, “I hope the launch of diverse and unique stamps like these will also help in reviving the lost charm of sending letters and postcards through the good old postal system.”

The commemorative stamp celebrates coffee in its various stages — as the raw beans to the aromatic brew in a pot and the quintessential earthen cup. “This is surely a great move by the government. I believe this will not only boost coffee popularity but also give a new life to the postal service of the country,” says Diksha Sharma, a customer service officer in a startup. “Now I know I can please coffee lover friends by sending them snail mail. It is quite a refreshing idea and I would love to see its effect on the popularity of coffee and postal service,” she adds.

Netizens had a field day as they welcomed this initiative and within moments of its release, the coffee stamp was trending on Twitter with people expressing their gratitude to the government for dedicating a stamp to the humble brew.

“I guess they have understood the indispensable part coffee plays in keeping a large part of the population sane,” laughs Anoop  Chandra, a professional. “We may joke about the connection we have with this brew but it is true that people, at least coffee lovers, feel instantly better after one cup. And the invigorating aroma is one of the best things about this cuppa so I am doubly glad that stamp celebrates the fragrance that has captured the world’s imagination,” he adds.