Coffee Pairings: 23 Amazing Food Combinations
Coffee is the world’s favorite beverage, with more than 400 billion cups enjoyed each year. With such widespread popularity, it’s no wonder that enthusiasts have invested considerable effort into finding the best food pairings to complement coffee’s rich and diverse flavors. The intricate taste of coffee offers endless possibilities for ideal food pairings.
23 combinations to delight your palate.
1. Most Berries (Strawberries, Raspberries)
For most berries, pair them with coffees from Kenya, Ethiopia, or Uganda. The fruity notes in these coffees complement the berry flavors beautifully.
2. Blueberries
Blueberries are unique and pair best with the robust body of Yemeni and Jamaican coffees.
3. Peaches, Plums, and Apricots
These stone fruits shine when combined with coffees from Tanzania and Haiti, which have natural stone fruit notes that complement these flavors.
4. Fruit Tart
Fruit tarts pair wonderfully with dark-roasted Brazilian and Costa Rican coffees. The bold flavors of these coffees cut through the tart’s potent sourness.
5. Chocolate
Chocolate pairs exceptionally well with coffee. Match it with Brazilian, Colombian, El Salvadoran, Guatemalan, Kona, and Mexican coffees. For an energizing treat, try chocolate-covered coffee beans.
6. Dark Chocolate
Dark chocolate is best paired with Brazilian coffee. Both have intense, complementary flavors.
7. Milk Chocolate
Milk chocolate pairs nicely with Colombian, Kenyan, Sumatran, Yemeni, Ethiopian, and Kona coffees. The lighter, fruitier flavors of these coffees blend well with the creamy sweetness of milk chocolate.
8. White Chocolate
White chocolate pairs best with Colombian, Costa Rican, and Yemeni coffees. The sweet taste of white chocolate complements these lighter roasts.
9. Chocolate Cakes
Chocolate cakes go well with most coffees, especially medium- or dark-roasted varieties. They are particularly delicious with chocolaty Guatemalan coffees.
10. Chocolate Mousse
Chocolate mousse pairs perfectly with medium-roasted Arabica coffee. For a delightful twist, try making a coffee mousse.
11. Wheat Bread
Wheat bread is best enjoyed with coffees from Guatemala, Brazil, Costa Rica, Peru, or Colombia. The heavy, savory texture of the bread complements the robust flavors of these coffees.
12. Sweet Bread
Sweet bread pairs wonderfully with Colombian, Costa Rican, Kenyan, or Kona coffees. The brightness of these coffees enhances the bread’s sweetness.
13. Fruit Scones
Fruit scones pair well with Yemeni, Kenyan, and Haitian coffees. This combination brings out the subtle sweetness of the scones.
14. Doughnuts and Croissants
Doughnuts and croissants are classic pairings that work with any coffee. This universal combination is always a hit.
15. Caramel-Based Cakes
Indonesian and Guatemalan coffees are perfect for caramel-based cakes. The syrupy qualities of both the cakes and the coffees complement each other excellently.
16. Cheese, Butter, and Cream
Savory dairy items like cheese, butter, and cream pair well with coffees from Sumatra, Java, India, Kona, or Papua New Guinea. The rich textures of dairy demand equally bold, dominant coffees.
17. Spicy Food
Spicy food pairs best with iced coffees from Nicaragua, Costa Rica, or Honduras. The contrast of heat and coolness creates an enjoyable experience.
18. Savory Crepes
Savory crepes pair well with bold Pacific Island coffees. Both the crepes and the coffee share rich flavors but light textures.
19. Chocolate Crepes
Chocolate crepes are best enjoyed with Colombian coffee. The toasted sweetness of the crepe matches the smoky, chocolatey flavor of the coffee.
20. Fruity Crepes
Fruity crepes should be paired with Kenyan or Haitian coffees. The fruity elements of the crepes enhance the subtleties in the coffee.
21. Meat
Dark roast coffees from Sumatra, Papua New Guinea, India, or the Dominican Republic pair well with meat. These coffees can stand up to the full flavor and texture of meat dishes.
22. American-Style Savory Breakfast
An American-style savory breakfast pairs best with medium roast Costa Rican coffee. With a variety of flavors on the plate, the coffee needs to highlight without overwhelming.
23. Omelets
Omelets pair excellently with Java, Sumatra, and Indonesian coffee. The coffee completes the flavor profile for a satisfying breakfast.
Coffee Pairings: Wrapping Up
These pairings offer a starting point for designing a coffee tasting that will delight your taste buds. Great taste experiences demand creativity, and these guidelines can help guide your culinary exploration.
We hope you enjoyed our list. If you have a favorite coffee-food combo that we missed, let us know in the comments below.
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