Most coffee lovers are always searching for their next best cup- something with a higher caffeine kick or a delicious, full-bodied flavor. If you’re looking for a fresh take on your morning joe, white coffee might just be your new obsession. White coffee is a type of brew that is roasted to the lightest possible roast level, just as the beans begin to turn from green to yellow. According to Samuel Kelin, a green coffee buyer and expert at Partners Coffee, this brewing method is relatively new to the U.S., but has been enjoyed for centuries on the Arabian Peninsula blended with spices like Hawaii. If you want to know more about what white coffee tastes like, its potential benefits, and how to brew it at home, keep reading.
White coffee comes from the same green coffee beans as regular roast but is roasted at a much lower temperature, around 320º Fahrenheit, compared to the typical 400º to 430º Fahrenheit for roasted coffee. This low temperature results in a milder, complex-tasting brew with a unique, blond color. It has hay-like or nutty notes with a light body and higher astringency. It’s important to note that Lebanese white coffee is not the same as this brew, as it usually consists of hot water, rose or orange blossom water, and sweetener, served for its calming effect and aid in digestion.
Another variation of white coffee is the Malaysian or Ipoh white coffee, which is roasted at conventional temperatures with the addition of palm oil margarine and sweetened condensed milk. This version has a sweet and nutty flavor profile and can be found in an instant form with creamer and sweetener. The benefits of white coffee, such as a unique flavor, potentially higher caffeine content, more antioxidants, and reduced acidity, are largely based on anecdotal claims from white coffee enthusiasts.
To brew white coffee at home, it’s recommended to buy pre-ground beans due to their density from the low roasting temperature making them difficult to grind. Brew it using an espresso machine or try a pour-over method for a light, translucent brew. You can also experiment by adding a darker roast to complement the nutty flavor of white coffee. If you’re ready to try white coffee, look for pre-ground options from different brands to experience its light and unique taste. Give it a shot and see if it becomes your new favorite morning brew!
