Hey coffee lovers, are you ready for a wild ride? I’m here to tell you about some of the weirdest coffee flavor profiles you’ve never heard of (but should try). Trust me, these are not your average lattes or cappuccinos. These are some of the most bizarre and adventurous brews you can find on this planet. And I’m not just talking about adding some pumpkin spice or hazelnut syrup. I’m talking about coffee that tastes like bacon, cheese, garlic, mushrooms, and even fish. Yes, you heard me right. Fish.
Before you run away screaming, let me tell you a story. A few years ago, I was traveling in Vietnam with my best friend. We were looking for a place to have breakfast and stumbled upon a small cafe that had a sign that said “We serve ca phe chon”. We had no idea what that meant, but we were curious and decided to give it a try. The owner of the cafe greeted us with a smile and explained that ca phe chon was a special kind of coffee made from beans that had been eaten and digested by a civet, a small furry animal that looks like a cross between a cat and a raccoon. He said that the civet’s digestive enzymes gave the beans a unique flavor and aroma that was highly prized by coffee connoisseurs.
We were shocked and intrigued at the same time. We agreed to try a cup of ca phe chon, which cost us about $10 each. The owner brought us two small cups of black coffee that smelled rich and earthy. We took a sip and were amazed by the taste. It was smooth, sweet, nutty, and slightly fruity. It was unlike any coffee we had ever had before. It was delicious.
We thanked the owner and asked him where he got his beans from. He said that he had a farm where he raised civets and fed them coffee cherries. He said that he collected their droppings and washed and roasted the beans himself. He said that he loved his civets and treated them well. He invited us to visit his farm and see for ourselves.
We accepted his invitation and followed him to his farm, which was about an hour away from the cafe. There we saw dozens of civets in large cages, surrounded by coffee plants. They looked healthy and happy, playing with each other and munching on coffee cherries. The owner showed us how he collected their droppings and processed them into ca phe chon. He said that he only sold his coffee to a few select customers who appreciated its quality and rarity.
We were impressed by his passion and dedication to his craft. We bought some more ca phe chon from him and thanked him for his hospitality. We left his farm feeling enlightened and adventurous.
That was how I discovered one of the weirdest coffee flavor profiles in the world. And I loved it.
Since then, I have been on a quest to find more unusual and exotic coffees to try. And I have found some amazing ones along the way.
Here are some of the weirdest coffee flavor profiles I have encountered so far:
Bacon coffee: This is exactly what it sounds like. Coffee infused with bacon flavor. You can either buy bacon-flavored coffee beans or add bacon bits or syrup to your regular coffee. It’s perfect for breakfast lovers who want to combine their two favorite things in one cup.
Cheese coffee: This is a popular drink in Sweden, where they add chunks of cheese (usually Västerbotten) to their coffee. The cheese melts in the hot liquid and creates a creamy and salty contrast to the bitter coffee. It’s an acquired taste, but some people swear by it.
Garlic coffee: This is a specialty of Aomori Prefecture in Japan, where they grow some of the best garlic in the world. They roast garlic cloves with coffee beans and brew them together to create a pungent and savory drink that is supposed to boost your immune system and ward off vampires.
Mushroom coffee: This is not made from regular mushrooms, but from medicinal ones like reishi, chaga, lion’s mane, and cordyceps. These mushrooms have various health benefits, such as improving cognitive function, reducing inflammation, and fighting stress. They are mixed with coffee powder or instant coffee to create a drink that is earthy and nutty with a hint of bitterness.
Fish coffee: This is a traditional drink of the Inuit people in Canada and Alaska, who brew coffee with dried fish heads or bones. They say that it gives them energy and warmth in the harsh winter months. It has a strong fishy smell and taste that is not for the faint of heart.
So there you have it, some of the weirdest coffee flavor profiles you’ve never heard of (but should try). If you’re feeling adventurous and want to expand your palate, give them a try and let me know what you think.
Or if you have any other weird coffee suggestions for me, please share them in the comments below.
I’m always up for a challenge.
Cheers!