The What is white coffee?
Not all coffee beans are brown. Coffee beans actually start pea green. As they roast, they take on that iconic rich brown color.
White coffee is different from other roasts. It’s a new, healthier version that claims to have up to 50% more caffeine.
In this post, you’ll learn all about white coffee, how to make it, and what it tastes like.
What Is White Coffee Anyway?
White coffee uses the same kinds of beans (arabica or robusta) as any other coffee. It starts as the small dried green bean that you’re probably familiar with. This is where the similarities between this roast and other coffees end.
White coffee is roasted for a much longer time and considerably lower roast temperatures. The pale beans are considered a lighter roast than even a light roasts.
These beans is roasted at around 325 degrees, compared to other roasts roasted anywhere from 450-480 degrees. This means the beans in this roast are only cooked halfway.
The beans form a pale color and bring a nutty flavor to the final brew. White beans are a rare but more trendy roast in recent years.
But there’s one other difference:
White coffee has more caffeine. White coffee legitimately has more caffeine per bean than any other roast.
Does White Coffee Really Have More Caffeine?
I wish the simple answer were yes. These beans are roasted less, so this makes it denser. This roast has the densest beans out of any other roast. The denser (lighter roast) bean means more caffeine per bean.
White coffee is the lightest roast, which means it has a higher caffeine content. Some industry experts believe that a white roast has up to 50% more caffeine than dark roast coffee. As usual, there’s some argument on this opinion. It makes sense in my head.
The premise is that a denser bean will give you more ground coffee per scoop (which is by volume) than a darker roasted coffee. I haven’t done the exact math, but essentially you get more coffee per scoop in white roast than you would say a Sumatra roast.
This is the same argument used in lighter roasts (like a blonde) with more caffeine because they’re not roasted for as long or as dark as other roasts. The jury is out on whether this is really true because we’re talking about volume measurements vs. weight.
When you measure your coffee by weight (like I do), you’re going to get the exact same amount of coffee regardless of the coffee’s roast. If you measure white beans by volume, you’re going to have more coffee in a tablespoon than you would a tablespoon of a darker roast.
Read more about how this factors into coffee’s golden ratio and the best ways to brew coffee by method.
So far, we know that white beans have a nutty flavor and may or may not have more caffeine.
But what makes this roast so different, and is it rare?
What Makes White Coffee Different?
A white roast is a denser and more porous bean because of the “half roasted” processing. This is going to bring a different flavor profile to this unique bean.
White coffee is literally white beans. The pea green coffee beans are roasted until they reach a chalky white color. This color signifies a lower caramelization of the flavors of the bean. Lower caramelization makes for a less bitter final brew.
Flavors you will notice are cardamon and cinnamon with higher acid. If you find a lighter roast to be too acidic, this might not be the roast for you. Some tasters also find nuttier notes in the flavor of white roasted beans.
White roasted coffee originated as a regional specialty in Yemen. These days it’s the “it girl” of the coffee world, especially among the health conscious coffee drinker.
Some white roast fans claim that it has higher antioxidants than darker roasted coffee, but there’s little scientific support behind this claim. Others also claim that this light roast keeps the carcinogenic level found in darker roast at bay. Again, not a lot of scientific backing.
Do you know why you should drink this funky roast?
Because you like its acidic nutty spice flavor profile.
But how do you brew it?
How Do I Brew White Beans?
How do you brew white beans?
There’s a couple of differences in brewing white roasts versus other darker roasts.
Because of the light roasting process, white beans are going to be harder to grind. Most white bean producers sell their beans preground for this reason. But if you want to grind your own white beans you’re in luck.
I’ve written about the importance of a burr grinder. A classic blade grinder will not be able to stand up to the density of these beans. A burr grinder can get the job done. Because burr grinders literally crush the beans instead of cutting them, density isn’t an issue.
Experts say the best way to brew this roast is via pressurized brew systems. This means a white bean coffee is best brewed with espresso machines, Moka pots, and Aeropress applications. If you don’t have an espresso machine lying around, a Moka pot is a great (and affordable) brewing method for a white roasted bean.
Most white roast fans say that a cup of this unique roast with no additives is the best way to experience it’s unique flavors. Ironically a “plain” cup of coffee is known as black. The irony isn’t lost on me.
Others suggest pairing a cup of white roast with almond milk to compliment the warm spice notes. I haven’t tried brewing a white roast myself but I have had it as an almond milk latte at a tiny coffee purveyor at my local farmer’s market. It was divine.
remember when home brewing a white roast:
- Use a burr grinder because this dense bean will destroy your blade grinder.
- Use a pressurized brewing method like espresso, Moka pot, or Aeropress (don’t forget to grind the beans accordingly)
Is White Coffee the Same as a Flat White?
Is a flat white the same as white coffee?
No. These 2 terms don’t mean the same thing.
White coffee is any variety of coffee bean, lightly roasted to about half of what most other coffee beans are roasted. The result is a nutty, acidic, warm spice flavored bean.
A flat white is a term for a final brewed coffee drink that consists of a small amount of steamed milk (or dairy alternative) a light microfoam. This style of espresso drink is popular in Europe and Australia. It is becoming increasingly popular in the US with Starbucks’ introduction to the flat white on its US menu in 2015.
Conclusion
White coffee is rare but becoming more popular across the industry. You can even order it on Amazon now. (It’s incredibly hard to find in whole bean).
Remember that it doesn’t necessarily contain more caffeine, it has a unique acidic flavor profile, and it will kill your blade grinder.
Have you tried white coffee?
I would love to hear your feedback below.