Beyond the traditional cups of coffee we enjoy daily, there are countless unique variations from countries all over the world. With a blend of local flavors and novel ingredients, these exotic coffee drinks offer exciting experiences for connoisseurs. Let’s explore 13 unique coffee drinks from around the world in this article.
1. Egg Coffee (Vietnam)
One of the most iconic representatives of the unique combination of coffee and local ingredients is Vietnam’s Egg Coffee. The harmonious blend of the bold bitterness of Robusta coffee and the rich creaminess of egg yolk creates an irresistible, captivating flavor.
When enjoying egg coffee, you’ll find a layer of fluffy, golden-smooth egg cream floating like a cloud on a dark, shimmering coffee base, offering a delightful visual and taste experience. Egg coffee is usually enjoyed hot to fully appreciate the perfect blend of its flavors.
2. Irish Coffee (Ireland)
Irish Coffee offers a warm and intense flavor, especially suitable for cold winter days. The combination of hot coffee, sugar, fresh cream, and a hint of Irish whiskey creates a drink that is rich, sweet, and has a characteristic spicy kick.
Additionally, Irish Coffee features a smooth layer of fresh cream on top to balance the bitterness of the coffee and the spicy warmth of the whiskey. This drink is often served in tall glass cups, allowing drinkers to admire the beautiful layering of the ingredients.
3. Yuanyang Coffee (Hong Kong)
Yuanyang is a drink that combines coffee and milk tea, offering a novel and exciting taste experience for drinkers. The slight bitterness of coffee blends with the sweet and creamy taste of milk tea, creating a balanced flavor that is neither too strong nor too bland. Yuanyang can be enjoyed hot or cold, depending on preference, and is often served in milk tea shops or casual coffee houses in Hong Kong.
4. Mazagran Coffee (Portugal)
Mazagran coffee offers a refreshing taste experience with a distinct Portuguese flair. This drink is a delicate blend of the characteristic bitterness of espresso, the refreshing tartness of fresh lemon juice, and a touch of sweetness from sugar. When preparing it, baristas often add a splash of rum to create a more complex and enticing flavor.
Not only appealing in taste, this drink also scores points for its simplicity and speed in preparation. In less than five minutes, you can enjoy a cool glass of Mazagran, quenching your thirst and boosting your energy for a long day.
5. Luwak Coffee (Indonesia)
Luwak Coffee, also known as civet coffee, is one of the most expensive and unique coffee types in the world. The process of creating this coffee is incredibly special: civets eat ripe coffee cherries, and then the undigested coffee beans are excreted. These beans, after being collected, cleaned, and roasted, produce a coffee with a unique, smooth flavor, a sweet aftertaste, and subtle fruity notes.
However, Luwak coffee also raises many ethical concerns regarding its production. The practice of keeping civets in conditions that do not ensure animal welfare for coffee production has been condemned by many organizations. Therefore, if you are interested in trying Luwak coffee, make sure you purchase from reputable producers who guarantee humane and sustainable production processes.
Read more: Vietnamese Weasel Coffee: A Complete Guide
6. Dalgona Coffee (South Korea)
Dalgona Coffee, also known as whipped coffee, quickly captured the hearts of coffee lovers worldwide. It gets its name from its flavor and color, which are reminiscent of Dalgona, a famous Korean honeycomb candy.
To make Dalgona coffee, you simply whip instant coffee, sugar, and hot water in equal proportions until the mixture becomes smooth and creamy. Then, you pour cold milk into a glass and spoon the coffee cream on top. The combination of coffee’s bitterness, sugar’s sweetness, and milk’s creaminess creates a harmonious, unique flavor.
7. Affogato Coffee (Italy)
Affogato is a beloved Italian dessert, offering a perfect balance of bitterness and sweetness. The name “Affogato” in Italian means “drowned / submerged,” accurately describing how cold ice cream melts into hot coffee, creating a unique and appealing flavor.
The combination of the bitterness of espresso and the sweet, creamy richness of ice cream creates a wonderful taste experience, stimulating the palate and providing a refreshing sensation. Affogato is often enjoyed after a meal as a light dessert, helping to soothe the palate and conclude the meal perfectly.
8. Cheese Coffee (Finland)
Kaffeost is a traditional Finnish drink, notable for its unique combination of hot coffee and cheese. The cheese used in Kaffeost is Leipäjuusto, a hard cheese with a slightly sweet taste and a characteristic chewy texture.
When enjoying Kaffeost, the cheese is cut into small pieces and dropped into a hot cup of coffee. The heat of the coffee softens the cheese but does not melt it completely, creating an interesting blend of coffee’s bitterness and the creamy, slightly salty taste of the cheese.
9. Salt Coffee (Vietnam)
Salt Coffee is another unique variation of Vietnamese coffee, offering a delicate balance of bitter, sweet, and salty flavors. The combination of bold Robusta coffee, sweet condensed milk, and a touch of salt creates a rich, intensely stimulating flavor.
The saltiness does not overpower the characteristic coffee flavor; instead, it enhances the sweetness of the milk and reduces the harsh bitterness, creating a harmonious and captivating overall taste.
10. Tonic Coffee (Sweden)
Tonic Coffee is a wonderful refreshing drink, especially popular on hot summer days. The combination of strong espresso and sparkling tonic water creates a refreshing flavor, with a blend of bitterness, slight sourness, and a hint of sweet crispness.
11. Eiskaffee (Germany)
Eiskaffee is a popular refreshing coffee drink in Germany, offering a perfect combination of cold coffee, vanilla ice cream, and whipped cream. This drink is not just coffee but also a sweet and appealing dessert.
12. Cafe Bombon (Spain)
Cafe Bombon is a sweet and rich drink from Spain. This drink is a simple yet refined combination of espresso and condensed milk in a 1:1 ratio.
13. Turkish Coffee (Turkey)
Turkish Coffee is not just a drink but also a part of humanity’s intangible cultural heritage. The special feature of this coffee lies in its traditional brewing method: coffee is ground extremely fine and boiled in a small copper pot called a cezve with water and sugar.
Source: Vinbarista.com
