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Addressing Common Questions About White Coffee
Let's address all the concerns you might have about the unexplored white coffee.
Published December 12, 2021
Shruti Gupta
Coffee experts@Era of We
White coffee has been among the biggest things to hit the market for some time now. Even with the storm, this coffee seems to be brewing.
It seems, however, that the coffee has been around longer than everyone thought, particularly in and around Yemen. When the Western world got wind of it, the excitement knew no bounds. Its characteristic nutty flavor, lowered acidity, and increased caffeine content have made this tough bean many people's favorite. In this article, we have researched some of the most frequently asked questions and tried our best to clear out the confusion.
What is white coffee?
So, what exactly is white coffee? Is it made from coffee beans? But aren't coffee beans brown in color?
Contrary to what you might think, white coffee is not coffee with white substances added to it. White coffee is a coffee that is made from standard coffee beans that have been roasted for a very short period of time. The beans used could be Robusta or Arabica, but usually Arabica is used. The slightly roasted beans used to make the white coffee actually make the coffee white in color.
The emergence of white coffee took the world by storm and is now becoming one of the most sought-after coffees. White coffee can be found in any coffee shop, especially specialty shops, but you can buy them online nonetheless.
Is there a difference between white coffee and regular coffee?
The major difference between white coffee and regular coffee is in the roast levels. In fact, this is the starting point of everything because to make a white coffee, the beans need to have a very light roast level. This means white coffee will also be very dense and hard because it holds quite a bit of moisture content.
Also, this means that you would need a powerful grinder that is way more efficient and sturdier than your typical home grinders.
Where did white coffee originate from?
So exactly how was this coffee found?
The origin of white coffee can be traced to Yemen.
As history would have it, the region has a lot to do with the first coffee beans that ever existed.
In Yemen, brewing white coffee is more of a tradition than a trade. There are different sets of spices you can add to the drink, along with some good old milk. A brewer can also formulate his own recipe to their taste. The spice blend "hawaij" is made from ginger, cloves, and cinnamon, and some variations contain star anise or fennel.
Sounds yummy, doesn't it?
Actually, hawaij does not have one recipe. Like the Indian chai spice, it's according to one's preference. Everybody has their own recipes, and it is very difficult to get two identical spice blends. It is easy to make your own hawaij spice; it doesn't matter whether you do the grinding yourself or get a pre-ground mix. You can pick and choose and make your own!
How is white coffee made?
The process involved in making white coffee is fairly straightforward. The only part that may look difficult is the grinding of the roasted beans. The coffee beans used are usually green in the beginning. This is because they are the pits of the fruit, and they still retain moisture. During the roasting process, they change from green to brown.
To make a white coffee, you need to purchase the "white" beans first. It is advisable to disregard your concerns about stale beans and buy them in grounded form because your home grinders may not stand a chance against these "rocky" and barely roasted coffee beans.
I would highly recommend that you use the espresso brewing style to get the most out of their mild flavor. You can use AeroPress or a Moka pot, or any espresso machine that produces a very concentrated brew. After brewing, you can add almond milk to give it some nutrition or a hawaij spice mix to ensure you get an authentic cup of coffee.
As long as you adopt a high-pressure brewing method, brewing your own white coffee is quite easy. As you already know, the beans are very dense, even when in the ground form. You'll need very hot water to brew up a cup. An espresso machine is best suited for the job.
What does white coffee taste like?
Does white coffee taste just like coffee or completely different?
Speaking of flavors and taste, white coffee has its unique taste, which is a little nutty with almost no bitterness. The level of acidity is very low, and because the coffee has not been roasted that much, you may not taste that many underlying notes. But there are traces of fruity notes and a little hay flavor.
Generally speaking, white coffee might not be as breathtaking as you think, but when blended with hawaij, it gives you the authentic taste that made "white coffee" stand out. I would recommend you to try out different spices and with a little bit of trial and error, you'll end up with your favorite drink.
Though virtually any kind of milk you like can be added to the white coffee, many people have noticed that almond milk is a perfect match for this spicy and nutty drink.
Where can you get white coffee?
At this point, I'm sure you want to give this a try, so how can you get your hands on it?
If you don't want to go to a coffee shop, you might have difficulty getting white coffee. You can always buy it online, and fortunately, most shops in certain countries now sell varieties of white coffee.
You might see small artisan coffee shops offering this service, but times are changing, and soon big names like Starbucks might probably put it up on their menu. A strong cup of white coffee made by a competent barista might just taste better than something you order online.
Is white coffee healthy?
Now that we've covered everything from the taste of white coffee to where it comes from let's get into its health properties.
There have been arguments that white coffee is healthier than regular coffee. The catch is that white coffee contains more chlorogenic acid than regular coffee because of its light roast levels.
It is true that chlorogenic acid is very healthy and has been linked to numerous health benefits over time. Still, the excess amount of chlorogenic acid left in white coffee has not been properly studied before this drink can be labeled healthy.
How much caffeine is in white coffee?
The presence of caffeine cannot be ruled out from the coffee bean as a whole, white or brown.
During the roasting process, the coffee bean undergoes expansion, which means that when it is finally ground, you'll surely get a significant amount of caffeine content.
Since the white coffee beans are much denser than regular coffee, the expansion doesn't take place during roasting, and you may get a little more caffeine than with regular coffee. But again, this doesn't mean white coffee will make you jittery or anxious if you're a regular coffee drinker.
What are the side effects of white coffee?
Even though white coffee is highly beneficial to the body, too much of anything has consequences. Some side effects of white coffee have been listed below.
- Excessive use can lead to increased blood pressure.
- 400 mg is the standard amount to take in a day; more than this could cause headaches and other complications.
- White coffee can cause heartburn for patients suffering from acid reflux.
- White coffee may alter the blood composition and change the rate of metabolism, which may lead to palpitations.
- Pregnant women must not drink white coffee, as this can reduce the growth of the fetus and in some cases, can lead to miscarriages.
How do you drink white coffee?
Let's get into the serving techniques of a good cup of white coffee.
White coffee can be served iced or hot. Its thinner body makes many people want to add dairy or nut milk. Almond milk, as already mentioned, is a great addition.
White roast coffee comes more in the form of a latte. To get the best out of it, you can add vanilla, caramel, or chocolate. Hazelnut, which has nutty flavors, is also a great combo with white coffee.
There are no rules on how to drink your white coffee. You get better at brewing as you keep trying out different styles and mixes and you can expand your palate by trying out many different kinds of coffee. If this helps, a local coffee shop introduced brown sugar cinnamon to a white roast coffee, and as I've heard, the taste was purely heavenly!
Conclusion
While white coffee may not be very popular in some regions, just give it time, and of course, give it a try. It might just replace your most favorite drink.
Its selling point is its nutty flavor, low acidity, and general mildness. A good number of people who are regular drinkers of white coffee say they prefer it over regular coffee. You may call it hype, or maybe they are just the exception and not the rule, but what's most important is that it's a delicious little cup of coffee with amazing flavors.
About the author
Shruti Gupta
I like coffee and I like writing, reading, and traveling, all with a cup of coffee in my hand. My recommendation? Brew some coffee (nutty flavors preferred), make it strong, add a little cinnamon and brown sugar, and a touch of soy milk, you've got happiness in a cup! Best served chilled :)
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