White coffee beans are something that doesn't get much recognition in the coffee world. They are relatively rare to find and even more rarely used in coffee shops or home kitchens.
I always think it's great to have variety, and at least to know what options are out there. This delicate, lightly-colored bean can produce shots of espresso that are lighter in color. It can also provide a totally different taste to your everyday coffee, with different properties.
They say that once you go black, you never go back! I say, let's give this whiter coffee a try!
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What is White Coffee?
You might hear the term being used to refer to a "flat white" or a standard coffee drink. In some parts of the world, "white coffee" just means coffee with milk. This is the most popular way to take coffee for those who can't stomach black coffee (without milk).
However, in places like Indonesia, we would answer the question "what is white coffee" a little differently. That's because here, the term refers to white coffee beans. These unusual little beans have a shorter roasting time than the brown coffee beans you're used to. As a result, the coffee is lighter and the taste is different.
So, who would drink this stuff? It's actually popular for those that don't enjoy the taste of coffee too much. You can mix it into a hot chocolate drink and won't be able to taste the coffee at all!
Let's delve further and look at why the coffee has these properties, and the benefits it can offer you.
How did White Coffee Begin?
We can trace this lighter coffee back to Ipoh, a town in Malaysia, during the 19th and 20th centuries. During the British colonial era, Chinese migrants were working at the mines in this area. It was these workers that first coined the idea of Ipoh white coffee. They weren't big fans of the more bitter, Western-style coffee.
The workers decided that the beans should be roasted differently to dark coffee beans. They gave them the Chinese name " Bái". This means "white", but it also means "without" and "unadulterated". Thus, the workers didn't add any extra ingredients, like sugar and wheat, to the roasting process.
The coffee beans were only roasted with margarine, using a slow, low heat. The workers noticed that, by using this method, you could taste every layer of the coffee when drinking.
White Coffee Beans: Questions & Answers (Q&A)
Q: What do white coffee beans taste like?
A: White coffee beans get a lot of their flavor from the way they are roasted. The roasting period is shorter than for most other coffee beans, giving them a milder taste. They can have a nutty taste but as it is so neutral, barista will often combine it with other beans or make a fancy latte.
Another way to jazz up an otherwise mild-tasting drink is to add enhancements. I'd advise adding flavored syrup, sugar and maybe even some spices to create a more fulfilling taste.
Q: Does white coffee have more caffeine?
A: Actually, yes, white coffee beans can give you a stronger kick because they have a higher concentration of caffeine! This is also down to the shorter roasting time, as the caffeine has less time to burn off. As coffee beans are roasted, they generally lose around 5.4% of their caffeine levels.
If regular coffee beans just don't satisfy your need for energy in the morning, it might be time to make the switch!
Q: How do you roast white coffee?
A: The raw, green coffee beans begin their roasting process like any other coffee variety. When roasters only lightly roast the beans, they take on a light tan color. At this point, roasters will deem the roasting process complete and the beans are ready to use.
Q: How do you grind the beans?
A: These minimally roasted beans tend to be harder and more stiff than other types. Often, they are too tough for your regular grinder and may even break it! Instead, you'd need to use a special coffee grinder. For this reason, before you grind the coffee beans, you'll usually find in their pre-ground state.
Q: Is this a healthier option?
A: The light roast is able to retain most of the bean's original properties, and it is closer to that raw coffee bean. It maintains a higher volume of the original organic acids and plant-based chemicals. This can give the bean an unpleasant taste, but it does make it healthier.
Another health benefit is the fact that no additives should be used during the roasting process. This means your original cup has less sugar.
A Twist to the White Coffee Drink
As I said, you may notice a more mild taste when drinking these beans. The good thing about that is, you can get creative! Why not re-create this iced coffee recipe for a new flavor completely?
You will need:
- White ground coffee (1 sachet)
- Full cream milk (3/4 cups)
- Ice cubes (1 cup)
- Sugar (1 tbsp)
- Blender
- Tall glass
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The Bottom Line
Shorter-roasted coffee may not be to everyone's taste, especially if you enjoy that strong coffee flavor for your drink. For this reason, it's not widely available. If you're really determined though, you'll find it in select coffee shops or in online roaster companies.
The white coffee beans have a deep-rooted history but have still not made it to mainstream status. Despite this, the beans have lots of benefits you can enjoy. They are healthier and have a higher caffeine level. On top of that, you have the freedom to customize the drink as you choose!
