Ipoh White Coffee brews up global recognition

Ipoh white coffee has earned a spot among the world’s best, ranking 10th on the “Top 39 Coffees in the World” list by culinary travel guide portal TasteAtlas.

This recognition elevates Ipoh’s signature drink alongside established coffee giants like espresso and Vietnamese coffee.

Unpacking the Ipoh White Coffee name

Despite its name, Ipoh white coffee is not actually white. TasteAtlas clarifies that the name comes from the unique roasting technique.

Coffee beans are lightly roasted with margarine, resulting in a milder flavor with subtle caramel notes.

This technique is attributed to Hainanese migrants in Malaysia who adapted classic brewing methods to suit their palates.

Traditionally enjoyed with condensed milk and topped with a light froth, Ipoh white coffee offers a distinct experience from simply adding milk to regular coffee.

TasteAtlas emphasises the difference between Ipoh white coffee and the broader term “white coffee,” which can refer to any coffee with milk or creamer.

TasteAtlas ranking methodology

TasteAtlas leverages user ratings to create its food rankings. The “Top 39 Coffees in the World” list is based on 3,878 ratings, with sophisticated mechanisms in place to ensure user authenticity.

Of the total ratings, 2,559 were identified as legitimate.

Ipoh white coffee’s inclusion on the TasteAtlas list shines a spotlight on this Malaysian beverage.

It joins Greek espresso freddo at the top spot, with other Greek coffees (freddo cappuccino and frappe coffee) also making the top 10.

Rounding out the list are cafe cubano (Cuba), cafe bombon (Spain), Indian filter coffee, Turkish coffee, and Italian staples cappuccino and ristretto.

This recognition for Ipoh white coffee highlights the rich coffee culture of Malaysia and positions Ipoh as a destination for coffee enthusiasts worldwide.