While many prefer their coffee black (who doesn’t love a good flavor profile?) some of us enjoy a little cream or milk substitute in there from time to time. It takes the bitterness away and makes it a little more enjoyable. For many, having cream in their coffee is an absolute imperative. They couldn’t imagine drinking black coffee. For them, doing so would be a chore. People put milk, half and half, cream, and heavy whipping cream. But have you ever tried cream cheese in your coffee? Here’s why you should.
Cream Cheese in Coffee?
Okay. So, you’re not taking a fat chunk of Philadelphia cream cheese and throwing it in the bottom of your favorite mug while melting it down by pouring hot coffee on top of it. We’re not sure how that would taste exactly. There is a little more involved than straight coffee and cream cheese. The cream cheese is made into a whipped cream that sits on top of your drink or can be mixed in. It’s your choice.
Cheese coffee is essentially a spin-off of Taiwanese cheese tea. This is basically a bubble tea topped with sweet and salty whipped cream cheese. It became popular in the late 2000s. It has made its advent to the coffee world, and we are thankful for that!
What Does It Taste Like?
Firstly, remember that cream cheese pairs well with sweeter flavors. Don’t imagine a gorgonzola or bleu cheese latte. That might not be so great since that is more of a savory stripe. Imagine sipping on a very milky milkshake with coffee in it. But at the same time, it is noticeably sweet.
Can You Make Iced Cheese Coffee?
Just like with a latte, you can enjoy it hot or iced. Since you are not relying on the temperature of the hot coffee to melt the cheese, you can put that sweet and savory whipped cream right on top of your cold brew or freshly brewed cup of hot coffee.
Okay – so we said that cheese coffee isn’t putting chunks of cheese to melt in a cup of joe, but there is an exception in Scandinavia. Kaffeost, meaning coffee cheese, is the Swedish name of the cheese while it is called leipäjuusto in Finnish, meaning bread cheese. It’s also popular among Swedes. This coffee drink is made from cheese of either cow or reindeer that has recently given birth. As such, the milk is very rich and makes great cheese.
To make it, you simply slice the cheese into smaller pieces (about ¾”) and place them at the bottom of the cup. Then you pour hot coffee over the cheese and fold it into the coffee. Depending on the thickness of your resulting beverage, it can be hard to drink, so enjoy it aided by a spoon. If you can’t find any coffee cheese, check out a recipe here for this tasty beverage.
Creamy Cheese Coffee
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Wire whisk or electric mixer
- Coffee mug
- Spoon
Ingredients
- 2 oz cream cheese room temperature
- ¼ cup low-fat milk
- ¼ cup heavy whipping cream
- 2 tbsp sugar
- ⅛ tsp salt
- 1 cup freshly brewed coffee
Instructions
- Add cream cheese, whipping cream, and low-fat milk to a mixing bowl.
- Stir/whisk to combine.
- Add salt and sugar.
- Stir to desired consistency.
- Serve over your favorite coffee beverage (hot or iced) with a large spoon.
Notes
Nutrition
Final Thoughts
We like coffee. We like cheese. But you probably haven’t thought about putting them together. The great thing about this drink is that it can work for all seasons. Drink it hot during the winter to stay cozy. Try it iced in the summertime for a sweet and savory afternoon treat in the heat of the day!
MORE GREAT READS:
Featured Image Credit: Vladislav Noseek, Shutterstock
