Macchiato leaving you feeling flat? Espresso no longer hitting the spot? Does your morning latte leave you longing for something a little more exciting?
Why not try something a little different – there’s a whole world of coffee out there, and there’s no need to feel limited by the traditional brews. From spiced concoctions, to coffees flavoured with a myriad of weird and wonderful ingredients, there’s a style to suit every taste.
To give you some inspiration, here are 11 of our favourite interesting coffees, taken from across the globe.
1. Kopi Joss – Indonesia
If coffee gives you an upset stomach, then Kopi Joss could be just the brew for you. Prepared in the traditional Javanese style, with hot water poured over loose coffee grounds and sugar in a cup, it’s made special with the addition of a flaming charcoal. The hot coal helps to neutralise acidity in the coffee, producing a smoking hot but surprisingly smooth and palatable brew.
2. Kaffeost – Finland
Ever thought of adding some cheese to your coffee? Well the Swedes and the people of Kainuu in Finland swear by it. Known as Kaffeost, it’s made by adding a couple of lumps of leipajuusto (Scandinavian bread cheese) to the bottom of the cup before pouring your coffee in. You then eat the cheese with a spoon.
3. Kopi Gu Yu – Singapore
If you’re a coffee aficionado, you’ve probably heard of the “bulletproof coffee” health rive – but putting butter in coffee isn’t a new idea. The people of Singapore have been drinking Kopi Gu Yu, a butter infused black coffee for years. It tastes much better than it sounds, creating a thick, rich coffee with an inviting aroma.
4. Café Lagrima – Argentina
If you’re not a huge fan of coffee, then this light and airy cup could be perfect. It’s almost entirely made up of steamed milk and foam, with just the tiniest teardrop (lagrima is Spanish for tear) of coffee.
5. Cà Phê Trứng – Vietnam
Frothy and mild, this popular Vietnamese coffee is prepared by whisking egg yolks, condensed milk, sugar and hot coffee – some even like to add a little soft cheese to the mix. Rich, unctuous, frothy and delicious, it’s a bit like drinking the Italian dessert tiramisu!
6. Café des épices – Morocco
When it comes to flavour, spiced Moroccan coffee is in a world of its own. Every coffee house uses its own signature blend, with popular ingredients including nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom and black pepper. The spices are ground with the coffee beans before brewing, to create a fragrant concoction.
7. Café de Olla – Mexico
In rural Mexico, coffee is traditionally prepared in earthenware clay pots, which imparts a unique flavour to the finished drink. Cinnamon and piloncillo (raw sugar cane) are then added to the mixture to create the finished brew. We reckon it would be a great way to start the day on a cold, wet winter morning.
8. Espresso Romano – Italy
Espresso with a twist of lemon is a popular pick me up in parts of Italy. The lemon is rubbed around the rim of the cup, then dropped into the espresso to enhance the flavour of the coffee. It’s a refreshing, invigorating combination that really works.
9. Pharisäer – Germany
Nordfriesland in Northern Germany is home to “Der Pharisaer” – a wonderfully warming and comforting coffee served with plenty of rum (at least 20ml), and lashings of whipped cream on top. It’s perfectly suited to the region, which is renowned for cold winters, high winds and its harsh, weatherworn coast.
10. Yuan Yang – Hong Kong
Can’t decide between a coffee and a tea? You don’t have to with the Yuan Yang, a combination of tea sweetened with condensed milk and strong coffee. We weren’t convinced until we tried it, but it’s actually really good.
11. Café Bombon – Spain
Originating in Valencia, but now popular all over Spain, the Café Bombon combines strong espresso with sweet condensed milk. For added effect, it’s served in a glass, and the condensed milk is added slowly, sinking to the bottom and creating an attractive layered effect.
Want to run your own coffee business?
At Big Coffee, we’re here to help passionate people to establish and run their own successful coffee businesses. From providing you with a superb, handcrafted coffee cart, to supporting you with your business plan and providing you with the right barista skills, we’ll help you turn your coffee dreams into a reality.
For further information, call our friendly team of coffee experts today on 01482655020.
