What Is White Coffee? Origins and Where to Buy

What is it, you ask? Let’s clarify: White coffee can refer to many different types of brew depending on cultural context. In this case, it refers to coffee that’s been roasted to the lightest conceivable roast level, where the beans have only just begun to turn from green to yellow, says Samuel Kelin, a green coffee buyer and expert at Partners Coffee.

In the U.S., it’s a relatively novel and niche product, Klein says. But this type of brewing is hardly new. “It’s essentially similar to a style of coffee traditionally consumed on the Arabian Peninsula, that is typically mixed with spice blends like Hawaii,” he says. People in this part of the world have been enjoying white coffee for centuries. No doubt because it delights the taste buds and comes with other (alleged) benefits.

Curious to learn more (and try white coffee for yourself)? Read on to dive into what white coffee tastes like, its potential benefits, and how to brew it at home.

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How is white coffee different from regular coffee?

White coffee comes from the same green coffee beans as your regular roast. But the main difference is the roasting temperature. “White coffee is roasted to an end temperature of around 320º Fahrenheit, dramatically lower than a typical light roast,” Klein says. For context, most roasting companies aim for temperatures between 400º and 430º Fahrenheit, per Partners Coffee.

Roasting causes certain chemical changes in the bean’s compounds that affect the coffee’s smell, taste, and appearance. At lower temperatures, “the coffee has not yet undergone some of the most consequential chemical and physical changes we typically associate with roasted coffee,” Klein says. The result? A milder, complex-tasting brew: “Coffee that is hay-like or nutty with a very light body and higher astringency,” Klein says. These lower roasting temperatures also give white coffee its characteristic lighter color, which some say looks “blond” once brewed.

How it’s different from Lebanese white coffee

The type of drink we’re focusing on here is not to be confused with Lebanese white coffee, which isn’t a true coffee beverage at all, Klein says. The drink known as white coffee in that region of the world is “traditionally a combination of hot water, rose, or orange blossom water, and a sweetener like sugar or honey,” he says. It’s calming, caffeine-free, and is often served as a post-dinner drink because it’s thought to help with digestion. So if you’re wanting to give a non-caffeinated beverage a whirl, this could be good choice!

How it’s different from Malaysian white coffee

Another type of white coffee worth mentioning is Malaysian or Ipoh white coffee, which refers to “coffee that’s been roasted at more conventional roasting temperatures, but with palm oil margarine, and served with sweetened condensed milk,” says Klein. It’s also available in an instant version with powdered creamer and sweetener, he says. The unique mix of margarine and condensed milk gives Ipoh white coffee a complex, yet comforting, flavor profile: It’s sweet (almost like caramel) with a hint of nuttiness. Traditional coffee drinkers might find it a tad too mild, but it may hit the spot for folks with a sweet tooth.

Possible benefits of white coffee

The proclaimed benefits of white coffee are largely anecdotal, and made by white coffee enthusiasts themselves. That said, we’ve still listed some of the most common claims, so you can suss things out.

1. Unique flavor

Lower roasting temperatures produce a unique flavor profile that’s distinct from darker roasts. Specifically, light roasting coffee may preserve the more volatile, delicate flavor compounds that often get lost during the regular roasting process. In the case of white coffee, this translates to a distinctly earthy taste. It has hay-like or nutty notes with a very light body, Klein says.

2. Higher caffeine content

White coffee drinkers claim the beverage contains way more caffeine than your usual cup, Klein says. (Some say as much as 50 percent more!) The theory goes that lower roasting temperature leads to less caffeine roasted out. But caffeine content is “heavily dependent on measurement,” says Klein. White coffee “would likely have more caffeine by volume, but less caffeine by weight, than the equivalent amount of coffee roasted to a more conventional roast level,” he says. In other words, there’s not likely a huge difference in the amount of caffeine in light and dark roasted brews.

That said, if you rely on that morning cup of joe for an energy boost, you can still give white coffee a shot. Just keep in mind it’s possible the caffeine content will be mostly similar to your average cup of coffee.

3. More antioxidants

White coffee is also “touted for its supposed health benefits,” Klein says. The major one being its higher level of antioxidants—i.e., nutrients found in plant-based foods that can help protect cells against from damage and harmful free radicals in the body, per the Mayo Clinic. “White coffee retains more chlorogenic acid, an important polyphenol with antioxidant properties,” Klein says.

Turns out, some research backs this up: An April 2022 study in Food Science and Nutrition¹ found that longer roasting times (aka, darker roasts) produced fewer polyphenols than lighter roasts (like white coffee). But keep in mind things aren’t so cut and dry when it comes to antioxidants. While lighter roasts contain more phenolic compounds, darker roasts may have the same (and sometimes even better) antioxidant capacity, according the study’s authors.

4. Less acidity

Some coffees have a high acid content, which can be hard on the stomach and potentially trigger heartburn. This can be a problem if you’re a coffee lover with particular gut health issues. “Fans of white coffee often claim that it is less bitter or less acidic,” Klein says. “But I think that’s dubious or possibly a little misleading,” he adds.

Klein has a valid point. In fact, some research suggests the opposite may be true—i.e., that darker roasts are easier on the stomach than medium or lighter roasts. For example, a February 2014 study in Molecular Nutrition and Food Research² concluded that darker roasts caused less gastric acid secretion than medium roasts. So what does this all mean for white coffee? If you find it works for your stomach, sip away. Otherwise, you can always opt for coffee brands—like Purity Coffee, Mommee Coffee, or Cafe Don Pedro—which are brewed especially for their low acid levels.

How to brew white coffee

If you like grinding your own beans at home, white coffee might pose a challenge. Because of the lower roasting temperatures, the coffee beans become dense and hard (read: tougher to grind). More than likely, your typical at-home coffee grinder won’t be equipped to do the job. Your best bet? Buy the beans pre-ground. From there, your brewing method can vary depending on your preference and the type of coffee maker you have.

For example, one easy option is to use an espresso machine. Many white coffee fans enjoy it in espresso form, Klein says. And if you prefer the pour-over method, keep in mind white coffee will look slightly translucent and may not have the “body” of a regular brew. Doing a second pour-over can be a great way to make your coffee stronger, richer, and more satisfying. Alternatively, adding a scoop of a darker roast could help create a unique blend. If you go this route, be sure to choose a variety that complements white coffee’s nutty flavor.

Where to buy white coffee

Ready to brew your own white coffee and experience a light, nutty flavor? There are plenty of pre-ground options out there. Here are a few of our favorites: