Ah yes, white coffee; a delicious, nutty, and much lighter version of its dark roasted brethren. If you’re from the United States or Europe, there’s a good chance you’re unfamiliar with this style of coffee, as its popularity has never been high in the states.
Read on to learn more about white coffee and why you should get your hands on some of this pristine liquid as soon as possible.
What Is White Coffee?
White coffee is made from the same beans as regular coffee (typically Arabica or Robusta) but through a different cooking process.
To make white coffee, the beans roast at a much lower temperature than black coffee and for half the time. This preparation process causes the beans to take on a white hue once cooked and completely changes the taste. The coffee itself is lighter and pretty translucent, similar to tea.
For reference, white coffee is commonly cooked at temperatures between 200-300 degrees F, while most black coffees fall into the 400-500 degrees F range. Even blond coffee is significantly darker than these white beans and has a different flavor profile.
On a side note, some countries refer to white coffee as coffee mixed with cream to the point where it is “white.” That’s not the white coffee we’re talking about, as the coffee beans themselves are what take on the light coloration.
Unfortunately, white coffee is still widely unknown, and while it has seen some popularity in certain areas around the world, it has yet to become recognized on a global scale. Still, there has been a significant rise in the past couple of years as many big-time coffee companies are picking up on the trend, and we can predict that more people will take notice of white coffee as time goes on.
The Origin of White Coffee
Most trace the origin of white coffee back to Yemen because a similar drink has existed there for centuries. The white coffee comes from the particular method used to roast the beans, but the exact origin and history of white coffee are pretty much unknown, not for any profound or substantial reason.
The popularity of white coffee gained traction in current markets only recently.
Unlike traditional coffee, white coffee seems only to have been around for 50 years. The roasting style started in the United States but never took off and grew to a national scale.
Fast forward to recent times, many big names have caught wind of white coffee as it became trendy on social media and in various coffee shops over the past ten years. You’ll find quite a few brands competing within the style of coffee, and while we have yet to see what’s to come of it in the future, we can guarantee we’ll see exponential growth.
How Does White Coffee Taste?
Once you take your first sip of white coffee, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to find that it’s not nearly as bitter or pungent as regular black coffee. In fact, it’s much nuttier, sweeter, and refined in taste as it lacks the caramelization and harshness of black coffee beans. It’s as if you mixed the light-hearted nature of tea with the brute force of coffee.
You might think white coffee is similar to light roasted or blond coffee blends, but they’re actually pretty divergent. While white coffee and blond coffee blends are nuttier than their dark-roasted counterparts, light-roasted coffee is much more acidic tasting than white, and white is overall sweeter.
Like most coffees, the exact flavor profile will depend on the type of coffee beans used, but you can generally expect the notes described above.
For African and Ethiopian countries, the beans will be slightly more bitter and have an earthier flavor. Latin American beans, on the other hand, are equally as nutty but are much sweeter and less acidic. Tropical climates resemble Latin America but often include notes such as citrus, fruit, and nuts.
In the end, the variety of white coffee is just as broad as black coffee, though you’ll be more limited on flavors since it’s not quite as popular on the market. Still, it’s certainly worth a try and tastes delicious regardless of what type of bean your white coffee is derived from.
Does White Coffee Have More Caffeine Than Black Coffee?
Yes, white coffee does have more caffeine than black coffee.
Since white coffee is cooked at a lower temperature and for half the time as black coffee, less caffeine cooks out during the roasting process. As a result, white coffee has a much greater kick than your typical cup of coffee, despite tasting much lighter.
Caffeine content varies from brand to brand, but you can anticipate your cup of white coffee having up to 50% more than black. Since the average 8 oz cup of coffee holds about 100 milligrams of caffeine, a cup of white coffee will have about 150. This is a significantly higher caffeine amount, especially considering many people drink 2 cups of coffee to start their day. If you do the same routine but with white coffee, that’s like having a whole extra cup of coffee.
And if you’re worried about exceeding your daily intake, the FDA recommends staying under 400 mg of caffeine daily. You’re in the clear as long as you don’t drink more than two and a half cups of white coffee.
Benefits of Drinking White Coffee
There are many benefits to drinking white coffee as opposed to regular coffee, and just in general as well. Here are a few of some of the most significant points:
Cuts calories
Like all coffees, white coffee is low in calories and makes for a great drink to provide energy without cutting into your diet. Some people tend to avoid coffee when trying to lose weight, but the actual drink is only a couple of calories per cup.
The real issue comes when you start adding stuff to your daily cup of coffee.
Coffee being high in calories is a common misconception caused by various coffee companies, such as Starbucks, filling their specialty drinks to the brim with added sugars, syrups, and unhealthy carbs. They may taste delicious, but they’re out of the question when it comes to saving calories.
For a much healthier way of enjoying your morning coffee, try cutting down on the flavored sweeteners and try using natural sugars such as honey or agave.
The benefits of white coffee include its naturally sweet, nuttier, and less pungent flavor than a typically brewed cup of coffee. So if you’re looking to cut calories, white coffee is a good choice because its natural flavor won’t have you reaching for the extra cream and sugar.
High in caffeine
As we stated before, white coffee is much higher in caffeine than black coffee, having up to 50% more. Plus, if you’re someone who needs a little extra push to get through a long day, white coffee is an exceptional alternative to manufactured energy drinks, such as Monster, and supplements like 5-Hour Energy.
Non-coffee drinkers might also find white coffee easier to drink as it’s lighter in flavor and much less bitter. This can help people who don’t like traditional coffee get their caffeine fix without resorting to drinking 4 cups of green tea. While green is delicious and a known vessel of caffeine, it holds less than half the dose of a regular cup of coffee.
As for the benefits of caffeine, this supermolecule can not only keep your body feeling more awake but allow your brain to stay focused on tasks for longer periods of time and be more alert.
No Additives
Since the color of white coffee comes naturally from the roasting process, there’s no need to include harmful additives to a blend to alter the look. It also helps that a decent chunk of white coffee manufacturers are small businesses run by family-owned farms and sell fully organic coffee.
Furthermore, many of these coffees don’t have any added sugars, fats, or sodium which makes them quite a bit healthier in contrast to other sugar-filled drinks. The worst you’ll find are a few preservatives, and even those are sparse.
Antioxidants
Antioxidants are necessary supplements in our diet and are responsible for preventing diseases such as heart disease, chronic illnesses, and cancer. Unbeknownst to many people, coffee has tons of these healthy antioxidants and is overall beneficial to your health.
What’s more, similar to how white coffee has much more caffeine than regular coffee due to the softer cooking process, it’s also richer in antioxidants. It’s mainly filled with hydrocinnamic acids and polyphenols, which are both essential compounds for preventing various health conditions.
And while you can’t completely exchange coffee for fruits and teas (the antioxidants you get from each are different, after all), you can still rest assured that you’re putting tons of healthy nutrients into your body just by sipping on a mug of coffee each morning.
Less Harsh on Your Stomach
One final point is that white coffee is much less acidic than black coffee and, thus, not as harsh on your gastric system. This is especially advantageous for those who have sensitive stomachs, as this type of coffee is less prone to causing heartburn and other digestive issues.
Conclusion
White coffee is a delicious alternative to your regular old black brew and a fresh take on the coffee industry. While it has yet to make its way to the global market, there’s one thing that can be said for sure; this delicious, nutty, and sweet coffee bean is one in a million and one hundred percent worth your time if you can get your hands on them.
Have you tried white coffee? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!