In recent years, a new trend has captivated coffee lovers in Europe and America: white coffee. Unlike traditional varieties, white coffee makes a name for itself with its unique flavor profile and distinctive preparation method. While classic coffee is often associated with dark tones and a strong taste, white coffee offers an entirely different experience, marked by a smoothness and nuances that pique the curiosity of coffee enthusiasts.
What’s intriguing about white coffee is how it radically differs from coffee preparations in Malaysia or Yemen. This Western variant of white coffee presents a light and novel alternative to the more robust coffees and invites coffee lovers to explore a range of flavors and aromas that might have previously gone unnoticed. Join us as we explore this wonderful beverage.
What is White Coffee?
White coffee is a distinctive variant of traditional coffee, with its uniqueness primarily in its roasting process.
Unlike conventional coffee roasting methods, which usually involve higher temperatures to achieve a dark color and a robust flavor, white coffee is roasted at lower temperatures. This gentler roasting process, often done around 325°F (approximately 163°C), is halted just before the coffee beans reach the “first crack,” a critical point in the coffee roasting phase.
This technique produces a lighter-colored bean and a distinct flavor profile characterized by a more pronounced acidity and subtly nutty notes. This difference in the roasting process not only alters the appearance of the bean but also influences the characteristics of the resulting coffee, offering a flavor experience that is less bitter and smoother than traditionally roasted coffees, which tend to have deeper and often more bitter flavors.
white coffee Vs Regular Coffee
| Characteristic | White Coffee | Regular Coffee |
|---|---|---|
| Color | Light brown | Darker brown to black |
| Roasting Temperature | Lower temperature (around 325°F) | Higher temperature (370-540°F) |
| Roasting Duration | More prosperous, more robust, pronounced bitterness, higher acidity, complex flavors | Longer duration, often past the first crack |
| Bean Hardness | Harder due to lower roasting temperature | Softer compared to white coffee |
| Flavor Profile | Smooth, subtly nutty, less bitter, low acidity, occasional fruity notes | Richer, more robust, pronounced bitterness, higher acidity, complex flavors |
Stand out from other types of coffee due to its unique roasting method, leading to distinct characteristics. Though called “white coffee,” the beans are not white but light brown. This lighter shade is a telltale sign of the lower-temperature roasting process, which is less intense than traditional roasting methods.
In terms of flavor, white coffee is known for its smoothness and delicacy. Since it’s not roasted as much as other coffees, it has a less bitter taste and lower acidity. You can expect a subtle nuttiness and, occasionally, light fruity or hay-like notes. This makes it appealing for those who prefer a gentler, less intense coffee experience.
What does white coffee taste like?
Does white coffee taste the same as regular coffee, or is it completely different?
White coffee offers a distinct flavor profile compared to regular coffee. Characterized by its lighter roasting method, white coffee features a smooth, slightly nutty flavor with little to no bitterness. Unlike more traditionally roasted coffee, its acidity is relatively low, making it more palatable to those sensitive to sour flavors. Although it does not have the deep, complex notes of darker roasted coffees, white coffee can reveal subtle fruity undertones and a light hay flavor, offering a unique and different flavor experience than regular coffee.
Does white coffee have more caffeine than regular coffee?
White coffee generally contains slightly more caffeine than regular coffee, but the difference is not as significant as some myths suggest. While white coffee might have about 5.4% more caffeine than a typical cup of commonly roasted coffee, this difference is practically minimal and often invisible. The belief that white coffee has 50-70% more caffeine than other roasted coffee is an exaggeration.
How to prepare white coffee (3 ways)
Preparing white coffee is straightforward and can be done similarly to regular coffee. Here are three methods to make it, depending on whether you have a coffee maker.
1. How to Make White Coffee Without a Coffee Maker
– You’ll need 2 tablespoons of ground white coffee and 500 ml water.
– Heat the water in a pot until small bubbles form before it boils.
– Add the ground coffee and stir.
– Cover and let it steep for 4-5 minutes to allow the coffee to infuse its flavor.
– Uncover, stir again, and filter the coffee using a cloth filter.
– Due to the hardness of white coffee beans, it’s recommended to filter seven times for a better infusion.
2. How to Make White Coffee Espresso:
Use 18 to 20g of ground white coffee for every 50-60 ml of water.
– Fill the espresso machine’s portafilter with the ground coffee.
– Tamp the coffee in the portafilter because white coffee beans are more complex and do not absorb water like regular coffee beans.
– Insert the portafilter into the espresso machine and start the extraction immediately to avoid burning the coffee.
– For a nutty flavor, prepare the espresso with two shots. First, moisten the coffee with a 4-second shot, then after waiting 20 seconds, continue with the complete extraction
for the second shot to get a denser and better-flavored coffee.
3. How to Prepare White Coffee in a French Press
– 2 tablespoons of ground white coffee and 500 ml water.
– Disassemble and preheat the French press, ensuring no old coffee residues exist.
– After preheating, add the ground white coffee.
– Pour in water at the ideal temperature, between 90 and 96°C, just before it boils.
– Allow the water to saturate the coffee and gently stir once or twice.
– Cover and wait for about 5 minutes.
– Press down the plunger and slowly separate the coffee from the grounds.
– Serve the white coffee immediately.
Whether you have a specialized coffee maker, these three methods of preparing white coffee allow you to enjoy its unique and smooth flavor.
White coffee variants
The white coffee we’ve discussed so far, with its origins in Yemen, is just one style in the diverse world of this beverage. However, white coffee varies significantly across different regions, each bringing a unique twist to this distinct coffee variant.
Malaysian White Coffee
Originating in Ipoh, a city in northern Malaysia, this version of white coffee is unique. The coffee beans are roasted in a wok, a standard pan in this region, at a lower temperature of around 90°C. This method differs from the standard roasting process and uses margarine derived from palm oil, contrasting the typical combination of margarine, sugar, and wheat used in darker roasts. After roasting, these pale coffee beans are ground, brewed, and typically served with sweetened condensed milk, resulting in a sweet, caramel-flavored drink often enjoyed after dinner. Its color isn’t strictly white but has a soft, creamy texture.
White Coffee in Jordan and Lebanon:
Known as “kahwah bayda” in these countries, this drink is made from regular coffee. To prepare it, two cups of coffee are mixed with two cups of water, four tablespoons of orange blossom water, and sweetened with two tablespoons (30g) of sugar or rose water. Occasionally used as a substitute for regular coffee, “kahwah bayda” is historically considered calming.
conclusion
Like many new coffee trends, the popularity of white coffee ebbs and flows with the evolving taste palettes of coffee and espresso drinkers. However, as a traditional Yemeni beverage that has stood the test of centuries, white coffee has firmly established its place in the world of coffee lovers. With its unique roasting process, distinct flavor profile, and cultural significance, white coffee offers a fascinating cup that invites exploration. Whether you’re a seasoned coffee enthusiast or new to specialty coffees, trying this remarkable beverage is a journey worth taking.
Frequently Asked Questions About White Coffee
1. How do they make white coffee?
White coffee is made by roasting coffee beans at a lower temperature than regular coffee, usually around 325°F (163°C). This roasting process is stopped just before the first crack, giving the
Beans have a lighter color and a different flavor profile than darker roasts. After roasting, the beans are ground and brewed like regular coffee.
2. Is white coffee just coffee with milk?
No, white coffee is not simply coffee with milk. The term refers to the coffee beans themselves, which are roasted at a lower temperature to produce a lighter color and a unique flavor profile. The name “white coffee” comes from the color of the beans after roasting, not from the addition of milk.
3. Is white coffee white?
Despite its name, white coffee is not white. The term “white” refers to the lighter roast of the coffee beans, resulting in a lighter brown color, not the brewed coffee itself. The brewed white coffee will still have a brown hue, although it may be lighter than regular coffee.