What Is White Coffee? Explaining The New Coffee Shop Trend
This article was written by The Zillennial Zine’s fall editorial intern Raven Minyard. Find her on Instagram at @raven.minyard. If you would like to share an article with The Zillennial, send us an email at thezillennialzine@gmail.com.
There’s nothing I love more than getting a little treat from a coffee shop. When my friend and I stumbled upon a new shop we hadn’t been to, we had to try it. While looking at their menu, I noticed most of their drinks were made with white coffee, something I’d never heard of before. When we got our drinks, we both noticed they had a slightly nutty flavor, despite neither drink having nuts in the description. I began wondering if the flavor came from the white coffee – whatever that was – so I decided to look it up. Sure enough, I was right. What I didn’t expect to find was how popular white coffee seems to be considering I hadn’t known it existed until then. So what is white coffee? How is it different from regular coffee? Is it a healthier option? Read on to learn about this ever-growing coffee trend.
What Is White Coffee?
When you first hear the term white coffee, you may think of the flat white. However, the two are completely different. While a flat white is a type of coffee drink, white coffee refers to how coffee beans are roasted.
According to The Darkest Roast, white coffee originated in Yemen centuries ago and has only recently been gaining traction in American coffee shops. Typically, coffee beans are roasted at 450-480 degrees Fahrenheit, but white coffee is roasted at just 325 degrees. The roasted beans are distinctively lighter in color, hence the name. Many people find white coffee to taste stronger than the coffee they’re used to, which is a result of the roasting temperature. Coffee beans have natural sugars that don’t caramelize at lower temperatures, leading to the distinct taste. White coffee is also brewed for a shorter time than other blends which prevents the beans’ organic chlorogenic acids from evaporating, leading to an acidic flavor. I didn’t notice a particular bitterness or acidic flavor in my iced latte, but I did notice the other distinctive note of white coffee – the nuttiness. The nutty flavor is another effect of the way the coffee is brewed.
Is White Coffee Better For You?
Poverty Bay Coffee Company describes the benefits of white coffee’s retained chlorogenic acids. Chlorogenic acid is an antioxidant and has been known to reduce blood pressure and the risk of diabetes, as well as help with weight loss. White coffee is also less acidic than regular coffee overall, so if you typically get heartburn or stomach problems after drinking coffee, trying this roast might help.
White coffee also has 50% more caffeine than other coffees while having fewer calories, so it’s great if you’re in need of a morning pick-me-up. However, if you have caffeine sensitivities, it might be better to stay away from this strong blend.
Where Can You Try White Coffee?
While some coffee connoisseurs may have known about white coffee for years, it seems most people are just catching onto the trend in 2023. That being said, there are still many coffee houses where you can try white coffee for yourself. I tried it from Cabin Coffee, a franchise currently operating in only seven states, and Dutch Bros. introduced white coffee way back in 2014. While it doesn’t look like Starbucks currently offers white coffee, you can check in with your local coffee shops to see if there’s a spot near you to try this trendy blend.
If there’s nowhere in your area that has caught up to the trend, you can make some at home! You can try the White Tornado from Poverty Bay or this blend from Alaska Artisan Coffee. Since white coffee is brewed differently from other coffees, make sure to do your research before making it!
We hope this article helped you learn what is white coffee! Have you ever tried this blend before? Are you interested in trying it? Let us know in the comments!