Ipoh white coffee facts for kids
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| Place of origin | Ipoh, Malaysia |
|---|---|
| Region or state | Southeast Asia |
| Associated national cuisine | Malaysia |
| Serving temperature | Hot or cold |
| Main ingredients | Coffee powder, condensed milk |
Ipoh white coffee is a special and popular drink from Ipoh, Perak, Malaysia. It's so famous that Ipoh was even called one of the top three coffee towns by Lonely Planet! This coffee is made by roasting coffee beans with palm oil margarine. Then, it's served with sweet condensed milk, making it creamy and delicious.
What is Ipoh White Coffee?
The name 'white coffee' might sound a bit confusing because the coffee beans aren't actually white! This name comes from the Chinese language. It was first used in the 1800s by Chinese workers who came to Malaysia to work in tin mines. The 'white' part refers to the creamy color of the drink once milk is added.
In Malaysia, the original white coffee started in Ipoh. It was a drink made from coffee beans roasted in margarine. This style of coffee is still very popular all over the country. Sometimes, "White Coffee" in Malaysia simply means the drink is prepared with margarine.
Some people from other countries might think there's a special "white coffee bean" from Malaysia. But this isn't true. The beans used are usually imported and roasted to a light color.
Today, many companies also make instant white coffee. This is a mix of instant coffee powder, non-dairy creamer, and sugar. It's called "3-in-1" and is very popular for people to make at home or in the office. Some companies even make a "2-in-1" version without sugar.
How is Ipoh White Coffee Made?
Traditionally, Malaysian 'black' coffee, called Kopi-O, is made by roasting coffee beans with sugar, margarine, and wheat. This gives it a darker roast.
'White' coffee is different. It's made by roasting the beans only with margarine and without any sugar. This results in a lighter roast for the beans.
Ipoh White Coffee is also widely available as an instant coffee mix. People sometimes enjoy it after dinner.
The Chinese name for Ipoh white coffee is "白咖啡" (pronounced "Baak Kaafei" in Cantonese). The word "白" (Baak) usually means 'white'. But in this case, it means 'without' or 'pure'. It refers to how the coffee is roasted without sugar.
