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What Is White Coffee?
Many people have questions about white coffee. Read this article to get the answers!
Published February 17, 2022
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Chandra Melo
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
White coffee has been the next big thing to hit the coffee scene 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.
But then, 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 about white coffee and have attempted to give the best answers.
The following are some of the frequently asked questions about white coffee.
What is white coffee?
White coffee is a coffee that is made from normal coffee beans that have been roasted very slightly. The beans used to make white coffee 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."
The emergence of white coffee broke the coffee market, now becoming one of the most sought-after coffees. White coffee can be found in any coffee shop, especially specialty shops, but you can find them online in most cases.
Is there a difference between white coffee and regular coffee?
The level of roasting is the major difference between white coffee and regular coffee. In fact, this is the starting point of everything because to make a white coffee, the beans need to have a light roast level. This means that it will also be very dense and hard because it holds much moisture content.
This also means, however, that you would need a very strong grinder that is way more efficient than your normal home grinders.
Where did white coffee originate from?
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, as well as 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.
Actually, hawaij does not have a fixed recipe. Like the Indian Chai spice, it's a personal thing, and everybody or family has their own preferences, and it is very difficult to get two identical spice blends.
It is quite easy to make your own hawaij spice; it doesn't matter whether you do the grinding yourself or get a pre-ground. You certainly can make something you'd enjoy.
How is white coffee made?
The process involved in making white coffee is fairly easy. 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 much moisture in them. 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" barely roasted coffee beans.
Experts in the field highly recommend that you use the espresso brewing style in order 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 a new-age health feature or a hawaij spice mix to ensure you get an authentic cup of coffee.
You should know that brewing white coffee is actually very doable, as long as you adopt a high-pressure brewing method. As you already know, the beans are very dense, even when in the ground form. So you'd be needing very hot and fast water to brew them. The espresso machines already mentioned are very suitable for the job. Whichever method you use, you can be rest assured you'd get a strong and nice cup of coffee.
What does white coffee taste like?
Speaking of flavor and taste, white coffee has its unique taste of little nutty and only very little bitterness. The level of acidity is very low, and because the coffee has not been very roasted, much of the notes don't come forward. 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, the true taste and what makes it "white coffee" stands out.
This does not mean you cannot drink white coffee without spices; of course, you can, but the question is, why do so? Even those who have a hard time with cinnamon can remove it from the blend or exchange it with another spice.
Spiced coffee is very common in the Middle East, and so hawaij comes really as a surprise to almost nobody.
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?
If you don't want to go to a coffee shop, you might have difficulty getting white coffee. Except if you brew it yourself, you might have to order a drink of white coffee from the coffee shops themselves. Thank goodness, most shops in certain coountries now offer it.
At the moment, you might only get to see small artisan coffee shops offering this service, but times are changing, and soon big names like Starbucks might probably include it on their menu. Getting a strong cup of coffee made by a competent barista might do you more good than ordering it online.
Is white coffee healthy?
There have been arguments that white coffee is more healthy than regular coffee. The catch is that white coffee contains more chlorogenic acid than a regular one because it is less roasted.
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 black. Recall that during the process of roasting, the coffee bean undergoes expansion, and this means that when it is finally grounded, you'll surely get a significant amount of caffeine content.
Since the beans in ground white coffee are denser than the regular, that means much expansion won't take place during roasting, and you may get a little more caffeine than with regular coffee.
What are the side effects of white coffee?
Even though white coffee is highly beneficial to the body, too much use can cause some problems. Some of these side effects have been listed below.
- Excessive use can lead to increased blood pressure.
- 400 mg is the standard amount to take in a day, which could cause headaches and other complications.
- It can cause heartburn for patients suffering from acid reflux.
- White coffee may alter the blood composition and alter 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 probably lead to miscarriage.
How do you drink 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 mix.
White roast coffee comes more in the form of a latte. So 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 what is tasty to you as you keep trying out different styles and mixes. If this helps, a local coffee shop introduced brown sugar cinnamon to a white roast coffee, and my God, the taste was purely heavenly!
Conclusion
While white coffee may not be very popular for some regions, just give it time, and of course, give it a trial. It must just replace your most favorite drink.
Its selling point is its nutty flavor, low acidity, and general mildness. A good number of people who gave it a trial had to 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 we are all having the time of our lives with the white coffee drink.
About the author
Chandra Melo
Marketing as job, barista as passion. An authentic coffee lover, looking for the next fantastic cup of coffee that I will fall in love with. Coffee, for me, is more than a beverage. It's about community and connection - how can all the world consume the same fruit? And differently? How can we have so many different tastes? I also don't know. And because of this, I feel in love each day more for this world. Happy to share and make a change in the coffee community.
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