A tradition that has deep roots in Africa, Asia, Europe, South America, and ultimately North America, coffee consumption can be traced back to at least the 15th century. Despite this, new routines and ways of doing things frequently appear.
Perhaps a health-conscious friend or your neighborhood cafe has mentioned white coffee to you. Is it the same as a flat white coffee or is the coffee bean used differently?
So what is white coffee? Coffee that has been roasted only partially and at a lower temperature is known as white coffee. You get a bean that is whitish in color and higher in caffeine by roasting it at this much lower temperature because you roast out less caffeine. Because of this, the flavor profile is significantly different from that of regular coffee and is very nutty and sweet.
Learn more about white coffee as you continue reading.
What Is White Coffee?
A flat white or any other coffee beverage that might contain whiteners has nothing to do with white coffee. Instead, it’s all about the coffee beans and, most importantly, a unique light roast. White coffee can also be referred to as light coffee, but what exactly does light coffee offer?
People believe that the white coffee roasting technique is a novel idea that was invented by trendy coffee shops. Actually, Yemen is where white coffee roast first appeared; for more than 200 years, Yemen exported enough coffee to meet the world’s needs.
All of the distinct differences in appearance, flavor, and overall quality of white coffee can be attributed to the roasting process, which presents a special situation. The white coffee beans are not roasted at 450–480 degrees Fahrenheit, but rather at just 325 degrees, and they are removed before the first crack.
Some of the characteristics that are acquired by traditional roasts are not present in white coffee beans. A white bean roast of coffee creates a distinctive coffee vibe, but there are obvious distinctions that make white coffee special.
The white coffee’s name derives from the contrast in color, which is undoubtedly its most distinctive quality.
Only a specialized grinder can grind the extra-hard beans because of their low-heat roasting.
White coffee should essentially only be thought of as an additional roast type and should not be confused with any other meaning. Consider it to be one level below a light roast.
Where Does White Coffee Come From?
The same beans that are used to make traditionally roasted coffee are also used to make white coffee. All roasts, whether they are blonde, light, medium, or dark, start with the same high-quality green coffee beans. Robusta and Arabica are two different varieties of coffee beans. Coffee is grown in many different locations, and the microclimate in each place also leaves its own distinct imprint on the bean, affecting the final flavor after it is brewed.
Not to be confused with Malaysian white coffee, a variety of coffee beverages made by roasting coffee beans with margarine and combining it with sweetened condensed milk in a cup to make a delicious, creamy, sweet coffee treat. We’re talking about white coffee here, which originated in the US and has just recently gained popularity.
It’s been at least 50 years since the method for roasting white coffee was developed. In the past, you could find it here and there but it wasn’t until 2015 that word started to spread that this “other” kind of coffee was perfect for lattes and had a better caffeine kick. Then, research revealed that it still contained more of the beneficial antioxidants than when it was traditionally roasted to a darker color. Word of mouth spread quickly as sales began to soar. That’s how white coffee came to be, so fast forward to the interest explosion in 2021. In actuality, it is unknown who attempted roasting coffee at such a low temperature first or for what purpose. It’s crucial that they did this so that everyone can experience a distinctive method of enjoying coffee.
Different Types Of White Coffee
There are many different types of white coffee or coffee substitutes in the world. The methods for making and naming coffee are interesting.
1. Ipoh White Coffee
In the historical town of Ipoh, Malaysia, the first white coffee was created. This Ipoh white coffee, which is made by roasting coffee beans with margarine and then combining them with condensed milk to make a delicious, creamy, and sweet coffee, is still very popular across the nation.
The only thing different about this old-fashioned white coffee is the type of beans used and how it is prepared and served with milk or creamer.
Ipoh has been ranked as one of the top three coffee towns in the world by Lonely Planet.
2. Kahwe Bayda
Water, orange blossom water, and sweetener, if necessary, are the main ingredients in the caffeine-free beverage known as Kahwe Bayda. Although this is not a coffee beverage, this attains the name from Kahwe Bayda’s translation in Lebanon to “white coffee,” it is a long-held belief that drinking Lebanese white coffee has a calming effect.
3. Kopi Putih
White coffee, also known as Kopi Putih in Indonesia, is made from coffee beans that have undergone a lighter roasting process than regular coffee beans. Biji Kopi Putih, also known as white coffee beans, are produced when beans are roasted for a shorter period of time at a lower temperature.
Since the light roast prevents the beans from developing coffee flavor, the white coffee beans are harder and taste different from regular coffee beans.
White coffee has a higher caffeine content due to its quicker roasting time.
4. White Coffee
This white coffee, which is unquestionably becoming more and more popular recently, is comparable to our standard black coffee. It is undoubtedly a great choice to drink espresso with either the bold, strong and intense flavor of black coffee or a light, bittersweet coffee like white coffee, depending on your preferred taste.
Taste Of White Coffee
Due to the low roasting temperatures, white coffee has a light flavor and a pronounced nutty flavor. The coffee bean does not develop a bitter profile like regular coffee beans because it has not been fully roasted. When the white mocha syrup is added to white coffee, it becomes sweeter. Try this if you prefer your coffee to have a light, slightly nutlike flavor and sweet texture.
White Coffee Vs Black Coffee
There are several notable differences between white coffee and black coffee, including the temperature of roasting, the amount of caffeine, and flavor.
Both begin with the same green coffee beans, but white coffee has up to 50% more caffeine than fully roasted black coffee because it is roasted at a lower temperature. Because it is roasted at a much lower temperature, it also keeps more beneficial antioxidants.
White coffee’s distinctive flavor profile sets it apart from regular coffee the most. Rather than the robust coffee flavor, we are all used to, it tastes more like a sweet, nutty tea. It is also a much denser and harder bean than a coffee bean that has been traditionally roasted. Due to this, using a standard home coffee grinder to grind becomes very challenging.
For that reason, the majority of roasters will primarily sell it as ground coffee. It is not overstating things to say that white coffee belongs in a separate, distinct category. The fact that it is everything traditionally roasted coffee is and more can be attributed to its rising popularity. More energy-boosting substances like caffeine and healthy antioxidants are added.
White coffee does not brew the same as regular coffee in your home brewer; the result looks more translucent. However, you can obtain a denser liquid by performing a second pour-over. If you are accustomed to the smoky, robust flavors of coffee, we also advise adding one scoop of regular roasted coffee.
How To Make White Coffee At Home?
After purchasing white coffee, we advise using a home espresso machine to make it at home. The best outcomes will come from doing this. and give you that nutty tea-like complex flavor.
Here is a summary of how to roast white coffee using a commercial roasting machine for roastmasters: roasting white coffee is different from roasting traditional darker coffee because the goals are different. Between 420 and 465 degrees, numerous intricate chemical processes occur when roasting coffee. Each roast’s objective is to nudge along the process until the flavor profile is exactly where you want it to be, at which point the roast is to be stopped. Traditional darker coffee is roasted using a variety of philosophies and methods that could fill an entire book. Many of those chemical dances never have a chance to occur because it is roasted at a much lower temperature. In order to preserve the nutty flavor and keep the sweetness in the background, the temperature should be gradually raised to the desired level. It is a fairly recent art form. Therefore, how do you succeed? slowly and with love fit for an artist.
Does White Coffee Contain More Caffeine?
Yes, white coffee contains up to 50% more caffeine than regular coffee, to give you a quick answer. This is because more caffeine is roasted out of black coffee during the roasting process. Like with all coffee, how much coffee you use and how you brew it will have a big impact on how much caffeine is in a cup. The brewing method with the highest concentration of caffeine per ounce is white espresso, and the brewing method with the lowest concentration is the conventional flat-bottom drip brewing method. The fact remains, though, that white coffee contains up to 50% more caffeine than black coffee, so be sure to drink it with caution.
Advantages Of White Coffee
The two most obvious advantages of white coffee are its higher levels of caffeine and the more plentiful supply of the beneficial antioxidants that green coffee is naturally known to have. Compared to fully roasted coffee, it has up to 50% more caffeine. It has a nutty flavor that pairs well with all the same creamers and flavors as fully roasted coffee. White coffee is less acidic and therefore better for your stomach and digestive system than traditionally roasted black coffee is, in addition to providing caffeine “lift.” Because white coffee is roasted only halfway through, it does not acquire the acidic flavor that is often associated with traditionally roasted black coffee. The chlorogenic acid content in green coffee is extremely high. Like caffeine, chlorogenic acid is slowly burned off as the coffee is roasted. White coffee retains Chlorogenic acid, which is known to be a potent antioxidant, due to its much lower roasting temperature. It is well known that chlorogenic acid lowers blood pressure, promotes weight loss, and lowers the risk of developing diabetes. You should look into how green and white coffee can benefit your health.
Where To Buy Good White Coffee Beans?
The ability to purchase a bag of white coffee without visiting a coffee shop is beginning to become a possibility, despite the fact that it is difficult to find and must be purchased preground. Here are a few locations where you can buy white coffee if you’re so inclined.
Poverty Bay “white Tornado”
The famous “White Tornado” coffee beans are produced by the Poverty Bay Coffee Company.
These beans are 325 degrees roasted, have a caffeine punch that will keep you awake for five hours, and have a mild, mellow aftertaste.
Abbey Roast Offers Both Whole And Ground Beans.
These white coffee options are provided by Abbey Roast, a roaster in southwest New Mexico that operates out of the Our Lady of Guadalupe Monastery. They are available in 12oz and 5lb bags.
These beans are the only ones on the list that are available whole bean as well as coarse, medium, and fine pre-ground options, giving you a little bit of variety. They are roasted with Brazilian Arabica beans at those low temperatures and then pulled before the first crack. But bear in mind, grinding these at home is challenging!
Alaska Artisan Coffee – Pre-Ground Only
This “Polar Blend” of white coffee comes from About 40 miles north of Anchorage where you can find Alaska Artisan Coffee, a coffee company that has been roasting specialty beans for more than 20 years.
The beans come in a variety of sizes, ranging in price from a tiny 5 oz sampler to a massive 8 lb bag, and they are very reasonably priced. However, be warned that in this case they only come with a pre-ground option.
Wired Willey’s – An Easy Option On Amazon
Wired Willey’s white coffee is the last item on the menu.
Coming from Lowery’s Premium Roast Gourmet Coffees, Wired Willey’s White Coffee comes in 16oz, 32oz, and 4lb options, is pre-ground, and ships fresh from the roaster. Additionally, they take care to remind customers that the grounds enlarge during brewing!
If you want to explore the world of white coffee, the coffee has a ton of excellent reviews on Amazon and is definitely worth trying!
FAQs
How Do You Brew White Coffee Beans?
In your home brewer, brewing white coffee differs from brewing regular coffee; the end product appears more translucent. However, you can obtain a denser liquid by performing a second pour-over. If you are accustomed to the robust, smoky flavors of coffee, we also advise adding one scoop of regular roasted coffee. The type of coffee maker or home brewer you have will determine how the beverage is brewed. On how to make white coffee, we have a lengthy blog post.
Is White Coffee Actually More Potent?
If white coffee has recently been advertised as having 50% more caffeine, it has undoubtedly caught your attention, especially as a morning brew before work.
Each coffee shop is happy to promote this since they are aware that it is a compelling USP. However, you don’t actually need to pay much attention.
What White Coffee Can I Buy?
Where can you get the best white coffee available given that it is a beverage that is here to stay? The solution can be found in this section of our locally roasted coffee beans, where you can purchase our White Tornado (below) and take part in the white coffee revolution. Here at Poverty Bay Coffee Company, all of our coffee beans are Shade Grown, Direct Trade, and Sustainably Produced. One cup of coffee at time conservation is our claim to fame.
Is White Coffee Bad For You?
White coffee has no negative health effects. It contains nearly all of the nutrients and antioxidants found in regular coffee, including chlorogenic acid, which has been associated with a decrease in cardiovascular disease.