White coffee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Coffee with whitener

White coffee is a special name for different kinds of coffee drinks or even coffee substitutes found all over the world. It's not just one type of coffee!

What is White Coffee?

In many English-speaking countries, "white coffee" simply means regular black coffee that has had milk, cream, or another "whitener" added to it. This makes the coffee lighter in color. In places like New York City, people might call it "coffee light" or "regular coffee."

What is a Coffee Whitener?

Whiteners often come as "creamers." They can be made from dairy milk, or from plant-based items like corn syrup, soy, or nut products. People often add sugar or other sweeteners to make it taste good.

White Coffee vs. Café au Lait

It's important to know that white coffee is different from café au lait. White coffee uses cold or room-temperature milk. But café au lait uses warm or steamed milk.

Different Kinds of White Coffee Around the World

White Coffee in Malaysia

In Malaysia, the original white coffee started in a town called Ipoh. It was made from coffee beans roasted with margarine. These beans were then ground, brewed, and served with sweet condensed milk. This special Ipoh White Coffee is still very popular today.

Instant White Coffee in Malaysia

Today, many coffee makers in Malaysia also mix instant coffee powder with non-dairy creamer and sugar. They sell this mix as "white coffee" too. It's a quick and easy drink for people at home or in the office. Some companies now make a sugar-free version, called "2-in-1" white coffee.

White Coffee in Indonesia

In Indonesia, "white coffee" or kopi putih means coffee beans that are roasted for a shorter time and at a lower heat than regular coffee beans. This makes the beans lighter in color. These "white coffee beans" are harder and taste different.

What Does Indonesian White Coffee Taste Like?

Indonesian white coffee has a mild and savory taste. Because it's roasted for a shorter time, it has more caffeine than regular coffee.

White Coffee in Jordan and Lebanon

In Jordan and Lebanon, "white coffee" is called "qahwah bayda" (قهوة بيضاء). This drink does not have caffeine. It's made from water, orange blossom water, and sometimes sugar or rose water. It's sometimes served instead of Turkish coffee and is thought to be very calming.

White Coffee in the United States

In the United States, "white coffee" can also mean coffee beans that are roasted to a yellow color. When these beans are used to make espresso, they create a thin, yellow drink that tastes quite acidic.

Caffeine in US White Coffee

There's a discussion about whether white coffee has more caffeine than darker roasted coffee. White coffee is usually used for espresso drinks, not just regular brewed coffee. Because it's roasted for a shorter time, the natural sugars in the beans don't caramelize as much. This makes the coffee less bitter. People often say white coffee tastes nutty and has a strong acidic flavor.

Grinding White Coffee Beans

White coffee beans are harder than regular coffee beans. This makes them difficult to grind, even with special grinders. So, white coffee is often bought already ground.

White Coffee in Yemen

There is also a type of white coffee from Yemen. This drink is made from the ground outer shell of the coffee bean, not the bean itself. It gets its name from its light color. It's brewed like regular coffee, but with some spices added.