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Difference Between Black And White Coffee
About black and white coffee and how they differ.
Published March 24, 2022
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Chandra Melo
Coffee experts@The Coffee Lab
Have you heard of black and white coffee and wondered what the difference is between the two? While it might be something that you use to describe whether a cup of coffee has milk added to it or not, this can actually refer to two different types of coffee, with the main difference in the roasting process. White coffee refers to coffee that is roasted at low temperatures for a short period of time, while black coffee is roasted for longer, and at higher temperatures. Compared to black coffee, white coffee will give you a lighter brew. What is white coffee? Since it has a shorter roasting time, white coffee keeps more of the original coffee bean flavors and compounds, while the high temperatures and longer roasting time means that most of these are lost with black coffee.
What are the Main Differences Between Black and White Coffee?
The roasting temperatures and time cause most of the differences between white coffee vs black coffee. These two types of coffees differ in many different ways including:
Roasting Temperatures
The roast temperature is the main difference between white and black coffee. Since white coffee is roasted at a lower temperature in comparison with black coffee, some might refer to it as ‘half baked’. Typically, the roasting temperature for white coffee is around 325 degrees. Is black coffee dark roast? This is usually the case since the roasting process for black coffee could take it all the way up to a much higher 450-480 degrees.
Caffeine Content
The longer you expose the coffee beans to heat, the lower the caffeine content will be. Since while coffee is roasted for a shorter period and at lower temperatures, it keeps the majority of its caffeine content, compared to black coffee which is exposed to higher temperatures for a longer period, which reduces its caffeine. This can be useful to know when it comes to choosing which coffee to drink at certain times – white coffee can be an ideal option for the morning to help you wake up, while black coffee might be a better choice for later in the day when you need a pick-me-up but don’t want it to leave you struggling to sleep.
Acidity Levels
If you have ever tasted plain black coffee, you will know that it can be quite acidic. The reason behind this lies in the way that it is roasted. The longer coffee beans are roasted, the more acidic they will become. Higher temperatures and longer roasting times break the oils down in the coffee beans which are responsible for the coffee acidity. If you drink a lot of black coffee, you may have noticed some effects on your body and health like acid reflux or stomach problems. Since black coffee is acidic, this can also make the problem worse in people who suffer from stomach ulcers, so switching to white coffee might help. The shorter roasting time for white coffee means that the oils are not broken down quite as much, making it less acidic and allowing it to keep more of its chlorogenic acid, which is a powerful antioxidant. It has lots of health benefits including reducing blood pressure, reducing the risk of diabetes, and even helping with weight loss.
Calories
Most people are mindful of what they consume so that they do not put on additional weight, and one of the best ways to achieve this is to be aware of the calories that you consume on a daily basis. The good news is that the calorie content in coffee is very low, so coffee on its own is unlikely to lead to weight gain. However, lots of people drink white coffee with milk, cream, sugar, or syrups that are high in calories. On the other hand, black coffee is usually drunk on its own, or with a little sugar to reduce the bitterness.
Taste
The taste of these two types of coffee is another factor that sets them apart from one another. White coffee has a nutty flavor and is noticeably acidic, while on the other hand, black coffee has a bitter taste that is often described as similar to charcoal, and sometimes sour. When white coffee is roasted, it is done without any additives used, meaning that the natural sugars that are present in the coffee beans aren’t covered up or burned away. However, not everybody is a fan of that, and some people prefer the unique flavors of black coffee.
Aroma
For many people, the next best thing to the energizing effect of a good cup of coffee is the refreshing and delicious aroma. Just smelling coffee alone can help you start to feel more awake and ready to take on the day first thing in the morning. The aroma of coffee comes from the oils and other compounds in the coffee beans. Due to shorter roasting times, white coffee has a stronger aroma that is natural, smooth, and rich. In comparison, black coffee has a different, weak, aroma, that can sometimes be bitter, like the taste.
Appearance
These two coffees also look very different. White coffee is not actually white, but a honey blonde color. When it comes to consistency, it may remind you of beer or tea. It is usually slightly translucent. On the other hand, the appearance of black coffee will usually depend on the roast type and brewing method used. Black coffee might be lighter, a tan color, or a dark brown color depending on various different factors. However, white coffee is much lighter than even the lightest roasted black coffee.
How to Brew
If you want to give black coffee or white coffee a try, then knowing how to brew both of these types of coffee for the best results is important.
Black Coffee
It’s quite easy to brew black coffee. There are many different preparation methods that you can use, and you can choose from lots of different types of coffee including grinding your own whole coffee beans, getting pre-ground beans, or using instant coffee. You can use an espresso machine, a drip coffee machine, a French press, Moka pot, aeropress, pour-over, or even a pod coffee machine to brew your black coffee. It is a highly customizable beverage that can be made either hot or cold. You can use the cold brewing method to brew it cold or simply add ice to a hot espresso shot before pouring cold water or milk over the top for an iced drink. Black coffee is typically used to create most of the coffee beverages we know and love today.
White Coffee
It’s important to be careful if you want to buy and brew a white coffee. Do some research to make sure that you are getting true white coffee beans. It is best to buy these types of coffee beans whole since this will make sure that you’re getting what you pay for. Bear in mind that they can be tough on grinders since the shorter roasting time can make them quite hard. Where can you buy white coffee? If you have a coffee provider that you can trust, consider buying pre-ground if you are worried about them damaging your grinder. White coffee is best brewed with an espresso style to get the most from the mild flavor and avoid a coffee that tastes flat.
Which Coffee is a Healthier Choice?
Due to the shorter roasting time, white coffee does have higher quantities of chlorogenic acid, which is a strong antioxidant that has several health benefits including reducing inflammation and improving cardiovascular function. However, this doesn’t mean that black coffee doesn’t have any health benefits, and it can still be quite a healthy drink. Bear in mind that since white coffee does have a higher caffeine content, it can lead to caffeine addiction or cause other negative health effects like high blood pressure or anxiety.
Why Do I Have Stomach Ache After Drinking Black Coffee?
Since black coffee is higher in acid, it is not uncommon for some people to suffer from stomach issues after drinking this beverage. The good news is that there are several things that you can do to make black coffee less acidic including cold brewing, using acid reducer products, brewing with a shorter brew time, or using a paper coffee filter in brewing.
Why Does My White Coffee Taste Bitter?
If you are brewing white coffee, it should not have a bitter taste. If your white coffee beverage tastes bitter in your cup, then it’s likely that you will need to make a change to something in your brewing process. Try changing the water, grind size, or the brewing style to see if this makes a difference since these are the main factors that will impact the taste of your coffee.
While most coffee drinkers have tried black coffee, it can be worth trying delicately roasted white coffee, with its unique taste, higher caffeine content, and additional antioxidants.
About the author
Chandra Melo
Marketing as job, barista as passion. An authentic coffee lover, looking for the next fantastic cup of coffee that I will fall in love with. Coffee, for me, is more than a beverage. It's about community and connection - how can all the world consume the same fruit? And differently? How can we have so many different tastes? I also don't know. And because of this, I feel in love each day more for this world. Happy to share and make a change in the coffee community.
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