When you see the term "white coffee," you'll probably think of coffee with milk, i.e., the opposite of black coffee. It makes sense, right? Unfortunately, it's not that simple. White coffee is something completely different (but can, of course, be prepared with milk).
White coffee has recently gained much popularity in coffee shops - but what is it? What's special about it? Where does it come from?
This blog looks at the "secrets" behind white coffee, its origins, flavor profile, and the debate about its potential health benefits.
What is White Coffee?
Before we look at the details, let's answer the most pressing question: What is White Coffee? The answer has to do with beans, but it is not a different bean variety. What makes White Coffee beans different is their preparation method, particularly the roasting process.
You are likely familiar with the classic roast levels, e.g., light, medium, and dark. But these levels aren't the only way coffee can be roasted.
By now, you might be able to guess what White Coffee is: White Coffee refers to coffee that's roasted very lightly. White Coffee beans look pale and a little bit greenish. They are roasted at lower temperatures, and for a shorter period than other coffee beans, so they never develop that lovely brown color coffee lovers connect to coffee beans.
Why Is It Called White Coffee?
As mentioned, the beverage's name is based on the coffee beans, not on the drink's color. But, considering the beans aren't pure white, the name comes across as odd or misleading. After all, the beans aren't exactly pure white. However, calling them "pale with potential hints of green" doesn't sound particularly catchy.
Compared to regular coffee beans, White Coffee beans are very pale, so calling them white has become the norm and is close enough to their appearance if you’re generous with your definition of white.
What Is The Difference Between White Coffee Vs Regular Coffee?
The primary difference between white coffee and regular coffee, e.g. light roast coffee, lies in roasting coffee beans for a shorter time and at lower temperatures. Any coffee bean from any origin can be roasted as a white bean.
The short of it:
Traditional coffee beans undergo a more extended and intense roasting; white coffee beans are roasted at a lower temperature for a shorter duration.
Why Drink White Coffee?
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Mild Flavor Profile: White coffee has a flavor profile that differentiates it from traditional coffee. The beans' underdeveloped and lightly roasted characteristics result in a nuttier, less acidic taste with subtle hints of grain and sweetness. People who want their coffee to be mild but with plenty of caffeine will likely love white coffee. Of course, the overall flavor profile will depend much on the actual bean that's used to produce the coffee!
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Stronger Caffeine Kick: The minimal roasting process preserves the beans' natural flavors and results in a higher caffeine content. Lower temperatures during roasting mean that less caffeine is "burned" off. This makes white coffee an ideal choice for those who want more caffeine without increasing the amount of coffee they drink.
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Versatility: White coffee's unique flavor makes it versatile for various coffee-based beverages. You can use it for lattes, cold brews, and any other coffee-based drink.
Where Does White Coffee Come From?
As mentioned, White Coffee doesn’t grow in a specific location. Any bean can be turned into White Coffee. You can use Brazilian coffee beans, coffee beans from Yemen, Sumatra, and any other country from the coffee belt. White coffee beans are made from the same green coffee beans that can be used for light roast coffee and dark coffee. They all come from the same coffee plant.
But it did start somewhere first (just like espresso has its roots in Italy, for example)! The unique roasting process has its roots in Yemen, where traditional coffee preparation involves a lighter roast. However, the modern trend of white coffee gained traction in the specialty coffee scene, with roasters experimenting with roast profiles to create this distinctive brew.
How To Brew White Coffee?
Brewing white coffee isn’t very different from brewing other coffee, but you may have to experiment with brewing times.
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Start with fresh, quality white coffee beans from a region whose flavor profile you usually enjoy. It’s best not to choose something unfamiliar right away.
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Grind to a coarse consistency to prevent over-extraction during brewing (unless you want to use it in your espresso machine, then you'll need to go for a fine grind). Be warned, though: You need an industrial-strength grinder for these beans. It's usually better to buy ground white coffee.
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Use filtered water to get the best results.
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White coffee can be brewed using various methods, including drip brewing, pour-over, or French press. You may even enjoy espresso-based beverages with white coffee beans. It's really all down to your own preference. Experiment with the brewing methods available to you to find the one that gives you the best results.
What Does White Coffee Taste Like?
White coffee's flavor profile is a unique coffee experience. As mentioned before, the shorter roasting process at lower temperatures gives you a nuttier, less acidic taste with subtle notes of sweetness. Some liken the flavor to that of roasted nuts or even toasted grains. It's a unique and bold taste that is sometimes described as an acquired taste.
Does White Coffee Have More Caffeine?
Caffeine is always an important factor for coffee lovers. And yes, white coffee typically contains more caffeine than its darker counterparts. That's because a minimal roasting process preserves the beans' natural caffeine content, unlike traditional coffee, which loses more caffeine during the roasting process.
Is White Coffee Healthier?
The health benefits of white coffee are debated among coffee enthusiasts and health experts. After all, coffee, in general, is known to have quite a few health benefits. Many people claim that White Coffee might provide an even bigger health boost, but there is still a lot of research to be done.
A fact is that White Coffee has a higher caffeine content. This can provide a temporary energy boost. The lighter roasting process is said to retain more chlorogenic acid. That's a compound believed to have potential health benefits. In the future, we'll likely know much more about the benefits of White Coffee.
How To Roast White Coffee?
Roasting white coffee is probably not something you’d do at home as an inexperienced roaster. You should have some previous roasting experience before you give this a go and potentially ruin an expensive batch of coffee beans.
Remember: The process involves exposing the coffee beans to lower temperatures and shorter roasting times. Here's a basic guide to roasting white coffee:
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Begin with high-quality green coffee beans. The quality of the beans will greatly influence the final flavor of the white coffee.
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Roast the beans at a lower temperature than what you’d usually use for your coffee beans (usually around 300-325°F degrees). This preserves the beans' light color and unique flavor.
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Keep the roasting time relatively short to prevent the beans from turning into a light roast. You need to remove them before the first crack.
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Cool the beans.
Conclusion
White coffee is an unconventional coffee that is rising in popularity. It's an excellent choice for people who want a caffeine kick but prefer their coffee to be relatively mild. One thing to remember if you make your own ground coffee at home is that white coffee beans are harder than coffee beans that have been roasted for longer. So you need a good quality grinder, preferably an industrial one, especially if you're aiming for finely ground white coffee for your espresso machine.
If you aren't sure about whether you'd like a white roast coffee better than your favorite dark roasted coffee, a good solution is to visit a local coffee shop that sells a white coffee drink. That way, you can easily compare white coffee vs other coffee drinks without having to buy a whole pack of light roast beans.
