Coffee is very loved by the majority of people around the world. There is wide selection of coffee you can enjoy every morning to boost your energy. However, it is time for you to level up your coffee game. Instead of cold brew, macchiato, or flat white, why not trying more authentic and interesting coffee from Southeast Asia. Coffee drinkers from Southeast Asia have their own interesting way to enjoy their drinks.
Interesting Southeast Asian coffees to try
Traditional Southeast Asian coffees are so diverse. Aside from tasting new and different flavor, you also get to learn more about cultural aspects of the way they make and enjoy their coffees. So here are some of the most iconic coffees in some of the regions in Southeast Asia:
Kopi Joss from Indonesia
Indonesia is already famous as one of the best producers of coffee in the world. One of the most iconic ones is Kopi Luwak. However, you also must try another variation of coffee in Indonesia such as Kopi Joss. It is more than just coffee. It is a cultural way of enjoying coffee. It is made from dark-roasted java coffee beans. The name itself comes from how a large chunk glowing hunk of charcoal dropped into the liquid. The sellers at some roadside coffee stalls serve hissing, bubbling cup of Kopi Joss. The locals say that the charcoal has the ability to cure indigestion as well as improve the flavor of the coffee itself. In fact, the flavor has smoky hint to it with thicker texture.
Caphe Trung from Vietnam
This is one of the most popular coffee drinks in Southeast Asia. From the appearance, this coffee drink resembles a cappuccino a lot. However, they are two different coffee drinks. Caphe Trung is made by mixing the yolks with sugar and beat them until turned into thick, airy foam. It is then topped with condensed milk with the foam. It is said that this beverage was found int he aftermath of World War 2. back then, there was a shortage of milk, leaving Hanoi’s coffeehouses in despair. However, bartender named Giang at the Metropole Hotel used eggs as alternative for milk. And so Caphe Trung has become a well-known caffeinated dessert beverage loved by many till this day.
Kopi Gu You from Singapore
Kopi Gu You is basically coffee mixed with butter. The name itself means coffee and butter. It was not necessarily new for people in Singapore to mix coffee with butter since it was common since 1930s. Chinese people believe that adding butter into coffee can improve health. The characteristic of coffee is to heat up the body. And butter has cooling properties to serve as a balance. As the result, there is great balance to the internal energy of those who enjoy this beverage. In the old days, butter was expensive commodity. As for the flavor, this beverage has smoothness to it. The saltiness of the butter complement bittersweet notes from the coffee, creating balance harmony.
