Keeping Up With the Latest Coffee Trends

There’s nothing wrong with being a creature of habit – you know what you like, and you don’t care if it’s cool or not. We’re with you, especially when it comes to the coffee that you drink! So while we’re certainly not suggesting that you tailor your coffee drinking habits to keep up with the latest fashions, there is something to be said for broadening your horizons.

With that in mind, let’s take a look at three of the hottest trends in the coffee world right now: the flat white, nitro coffee, and draft lattes. Maybe you’ll think twice next time you order your morning brew, and try out something brand new instead.

The Flat White

This perfectly creamy and generously caffeinated coffee drink hails from the “land down under,” Australia. Simply put, a flat white is similar to a latte, as they share the same list of ingredients, but there are a few key differences that distinguish the flat white.

The flat white is made with a double ristretto (half the normal amount of water) shot of espresso mixed freely with micro-foamed milk that has been consistently heated throughout to avoid separation. The resulting drink is properly served in a 165ml tulip cup. Made correctly, it has a rich espresso flavor and an almost velvety texture, together with a sweet finish that has made believers of the staunchest latte loyalists.

Nitro Coffee

No, it’s not some extreme-bro energy drink that will make you want to jump out of a perfectly good helicopter with nothing but a snowboard and a GoPro camera, though, based on the name, you could be forgiven for thinking so.

You could think of nitro coffee as a cross between your favorite Americano and a pint of Guinness, with the rich espresso flavor and caffeine kick of the former, paired up with the creamy, fizzy smoothness of the latter.

Nitro coffee is infused with nitrogen, and when it’s canned, nitro coffee is an ideal way to get your summertime coffee fix on the go. Because let’s face it: Japanese-style canned coffee certainly has its fans, but it’s far too sweet for many coffee lovers’ palates.

Of course, the best way to experience nitro coffee is straight from the tap at your local coffeehouse, if you’re fortunate enough to live near a café that serves it. Give it a try, but you’ve been warned: this stuff is extremely addictive.

More Coffee on Tap: Draft Lattes

Speaking of on-tap deliciousness, coffee buffs in the know have been enthusiastically quaffing draft lattes at taste-making coffeehouses. And yes, they’re every bit as magical as they sound. Draft lattes are creamy, cold, and frothy, with just a hint of sweetness, and they come topped with a rich head of microfoam, naturally. Mix a draft latte with cold-pressed iced coffee, and you get a whole new take on the black and tan.

Variety Is the Spice of Life

As you can see, there are some really exciting things happening in the coffee world at the moment. We hope you’ll go out on a limb and try them next time you pop into your local coffee shop. If you don’t like them, you can always go back to your usual drink of choice. And who knows? Maybe you’ll find a new coffee favorite!

[Photos Via: Odyssey; Majala; Sprudgewire]