QUESTION: What kind of coffee tastes the least like coffee? I’m trying to get into coffee drinking, but it has a bitter taste and is too strong for me. — Olivia M
ANSWER: Are you looking into drinking coffee but just can’t get past the taste of roasted coffee beans? The flavor of coffee is not for everyone, although some say it can be an acquired taste. Some non-coffee drinkers have learned to like coffee just by drinking it regularly until they became used to the flavor and ended up liking it quite a bit. Some people, however, just can’t stomach the taste of coffee. Well, that’s okay too. Coffee isn’t for everyone.
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However, most people who have a negative relationship with coffee drinks tend to have only tried certain types of coffee. While you may not enjoy a hot cup of regular drip coffee, you might find that you have a taste for espresso-based drinks, cappuccino, cafe americano, lattes, macchiatos, or affogato. If you are a chocolate lover, you might find a taste for coffee by drinking mochas. If you have only ever tried one or two of these drinks, go to a local coffee shop and ask the barista to make you a few of the popular coffee drinks that you have never tried. You might find one you really like. There are so many types of coffee drinks and you just might find your new favorite. We made a list of every main coffee beverage and a shorter selection called Coffee Drinks You Should Try. Feel free to make a checklist using our list so you can try each of them before deciding that coffee just isn’t your thing.
Maybe you have tried most of the drinks on this list but still haven’t found a type of coffee that suits your taste. Well, there’s still hope for you too. After the coffee drinks list, we discuss some great non-coffee alternatives for those who know that they will never come around to loving coffee, no matter what. Then, we offer up a bunch of choices for coffee drinks that don’t taste like your typical cup of coffee, such as flavored coffee drinks that mask the taste of the coffee or espresso shots they are made with. Finally, we outline a plan to ease your way into becoming a full-fledged coffee lover. If you are wanting to acquire a taste for coffee but are finding it hard to find a good starting drink.
So, for everyone who isn’t fond of coffee but needs a little extra energy, and everyone who doesn’t like coffee but wants to learn more about it or try to develop a taste for it, this article is for you. Whether you are able to become a coffee drinker or not, this article should lead you in the right direction.
Non-Coffee Alternatives
If there’s no hope for you slowly moving into becoming a coffee drinker, and you are sure that trying to do so is a waste of time, there are plenty of non-coffee alternatives that you may not have thought about.
Coffees That Don’t Taste Like Coffee
If you want to learn to like coffee, but just haven’t developed a taste for it, there are a few different coffee drinks that you might want to try to help get you started on your coffee journey. Flavored lattes (hot or iced latte), iced coffee, and frappès are great beverages that have a mild coffee flavor that is masked by a more dominant flavor. Popular coffee flavors include hazelnut, amaretto, french vanilla, Irish cream, caramel, vanilla caramel, peppermint, spiced pumpkin, cinnamon, peppermint, raspberry, white chocolate, chocolate (mocha), toffee, sweet cream, toasted marshmallow, salted caramel, macadamia nut, almond, butter pecan, coconut, and many more.
Starbucks coffee makes several flavored frappuccinos that barely taste like coffee. Dunkin Donuts has a drink called Coolattas which are frozen treats that contain coffee but are not overpowering in their coffee-ness at all. Coolattas come in many flavor varieties as well, including caramel, mocha, oreo, hazelnut, vanilla bean, and more. A Chai tea latte isn’t technically coffee, but it is caffeinated and available at most coffee chains. If you are a chocolate lover, Caffè Mochas and Mocha Lattes are a no-brainer. If you have a sweet tooth, Starbucks White Chocolate Mocha is an ultra-creamy indulgence with a sweet flavor that you won’t be able to stop yourself from ordering. A Caramel Macchiato, whether hot or iced, is also a great way to get coffee without getting too much of the intense flavor of coffee.
Your issue with coffee might be because of a distaste for a particular type of roast as they do have different flavors. Try different roasts to see if there is one that strikes your taste buds better than others. Dark roasts have the least amount of unique flavors, but the most richness. They are robust and have notes of chocolate, spice, and wood. Light roast beans are less bitter and more unique. They can contain fruity or floral notes and typically have more acidity and vibrance. Medium roasts are smooth, diverse, and well-rounded. They have sweeter, richer notes than their counterparts. If you just don’t like the flavor of coffee, you probably won’t find a specific roast that completely changes your mind, but if you’re open-minded enough to try a few different types, it’s certainly worth a shot (start with a medium roast).
How To Ease Your Way Into Loving Coffee
Some coffee haters tried regular coffee when they were young and hated it and blew off coffee for the rest of their lives. There are stories of people who were anti-coffee their whole lives, but fell in love with the drink the first time they tried a shot of espresso or the first time they had a latte, cappuccino, or macchiato. There are people who hated all coffee until they tried Kona coffee (an especially fancy coffee from a very small strip of land in Hawaii that can cost up to $100 per pound of coffee beans). If you have tried a variety of coffee drinks and still don’t like coffee, it may just not be your thing. Maybe you can stick with hot chocolate!
However, if you still want to acquire a taste for joe, the best way to do it is by easing yourself into more coffee-centric flavored drinks. Start with flavored lattes and iced lattes, heavily dose your java with flavored creamers, syrups, and sugar. Top it with whipped cream, or whatever makes it more palatable for you. Then, slowly but surely, move towards stronger coffee drinks and less flavorings and sugars. Eventually, you might find yourself craving a strong cup of hot, black coffee. Tastes have a tendency to change. There are probably things you hated as a child that you can’t live without as an adult. Coffee can grow on you if you are open to the possibility. The only constant in life is change.