The 6 coffee trends you need to know about in 2018
Introducing the fads and fashions taking the world by storm in a coffee cup
Words: Russell
It’s probably the first thing you reach for in the morning — and one of the only things that keeps you going during the day. But java, liquid energy, your morning cup of joe is undergoing somewhat of a transformation in 2018…
Gone are the days of the simple coffee order. With more milks on the market, and trending tastes than ever before, a new type of coffee seems to be invented every day. But, luckily for you, Gentleman’s Journal are here to help guide you through the murky, caffeinated waters.
We spoke to the experts at Grind, coffee pros with some of the best cafes in the capital. From Shoreditch to Soho, these are the men we entrust with our daily caffeine fix, so who better than Head of Coffee, Sam Trevethyen, to inform us further on the coffee trends sweeping coffee shops — and Instagram feeds — the world over…
Bulletproof Coffee
Bulletproof coffee, for those who don’t know, is simply coffee with oil and butter added — with the aim of aiding weight loss and raising IQ levels, at least according to the founder Dave Asprey.
Asprey is so confident in the abilities of bulletproof coffee, he believes it will help him live to 180 years of age. We’re not so sure; but what does Trevethyen think?
What our expert says: “This one peaked a few years ago, and I don’t feel it ever really gained much traction in London. At Grind, it is certainly not something we ever really get asked for. When I lived in Melbourne a few years ago, it was more popular, mainly due to the fact that Bulletproof coffee recommends butter from grass-fed cows, which are popular in Aus.”
Mushroom Coffee
While normal coffee is great, it can come with some unpleasant side-effects (we’re looking at you, insomnia and anxiety). Mushroom coffee claims to give you that caffeine boost without leaving you an nerve-ridden wreck. But doesn’t it just sound unpleasant? It may be a favourite of Silicon Valley CEOs, but we’re still sceptical…
What our expert says: “This is something that sounds pretty weird, however actually tastes really good! Typically made using the powder of the Chaga mushroom, I first saw this at Instagram Hotspot Matcha Mylkbar in Melbourne. Claiming a whole range of health benefits, this is another ‘not coffee’ product that the jury is still out on.”
Sparkling Coffee
This is probably one of the more millennial options out there, but if you’re looking for a refreshing alternative to that Starbucks Frappuccino, this is the way to go. As everyone will agree, sparkling water is better than tap, so surely sparkling coffee is better than regular?
What our expert says: “Sparkling coffee, or coffee soda, is getting a lot of press at the moment! I first heard about can of cold brew soda from Stumptown in the states, and now the guys at Sandows have launched a range of different flavours in the UK.
“Typically involving cold brew, soda water and lemon, this can be very refreshing. Coffee and Citrus have a long history of being used together, so it is not as crazy a pairing as you might think!”
Cold Brew Coffee
Making cold brew coffee takes a long time. We’re talking 16-24 hours long. So, in addition to not being the quick caffeine fix you want from a cup of coffee, it is also quite the gamble. Who says it’ll still be warm enough for a cup of cold brew in a day’s time? This is Britain, after all…
However, steeping your coffee for 24 hours will give it a great rich taste, adding even more to your usual sanitised Starbucks experience.
What our expert says: “Cold Brew Coffee, made by steeping the ground coffee in cold filtered water form 16-24 hours, has been around for some time now. It is a huge market in the USA and Australia, partly because of the weather, and a pre-existing culture of drinking black coffee, something not overly prevalent in the UK.
“There is a cult following in the UK, and every summer its gains a lot of traction, however, I do not think lots of people drink it all year round.”
Charcoal / Alt Lattes
It could be argued these alternative lattes would not exist if it wasn’t for Instagram. Adding activated charcoal to your latte is supposed to help cleanse your gut by blocking toxins from entering your system. However, it blocks indiscriminately, which means none of the good nutrients enter your system either.
You can also add other flavours to a latte. From turmeric to matcha, the possibilities appear to be endless. If you can imagine it, someone has probably added it to a latte. A cursory search of the internet’s most caffeinated corners brought up Pepsi, banana and even bacon flavours. Seriously.
What our expert says: “I think the reason for the success of these alternative lattes is partly they all offer a range of health benefits, and secondly, they are perfect Instagram fodder.
“Charcoal is the latest flavour, boosting liver cleaning properties and featuring a dark, almost black latte. Only yesterday I saw Purple Sweet Potato & Peanut Butter Latte. Have we peaked on this?”
Coffee Cocktails
Everyone is aware of the classic Espresso Martini, but this is not the be-all and end-all of coffee cocktails. Every day, someone finds a new way to infuse coffee and booze. Most of these are taking classic cocktails and adding a coffee element for that extra energy kick you need on a night out.
What our expert says: “For most people, their intro to the world of coffee cocktails is an Espresso Martini, created here in Soho, London, by legendary cocktail bartender Dick Bradsell. But you don’t have to be limited to this.
“From the Hot Flat White Russian (rather drunken love child of two titans of coffee and booze, the Flat White and the White Russian) to the ‘Espresso’ Old Fashioned (made with our own Grind Coffee Infused Bourbon), there is a whole world of coffee cocktails to wake you up and shake things up.”
Now find out what your coffee order really says about you…
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