Several days ago, after a 7:00 am trip to the farmer's market (The Thursday Wet Market, I think it's called) several women and I decided to have get-to-know-each-other coffee at the local Starbucks. We were surprised to learn that Starbucks doesn't open here in Lumut until 10:00 am. - definitely not what we're used to.
After some quick discussion we all agreed it would be fun to try white coffee at a place several blocks away. As we pulled up to the cafe, I finally understood where all the people hang out between 7:00 and 10-11am ish when stores gradually open. They are chatting with friends over a leisure cup of coffee.
The photo-laden menus (yippee!), an order slip, and a pencil were waiting for us in the center of each table. We perused the pictures of the yummy looking coffee drinks and placed our orders. I wanted to start with the basic "white coffee" about which I'd heard so much. I decided to order mine "cold" because by now it was already sweltering hot on the shaded veranda.
The caramel-colored drink came in a tall glass filled with ice and a straw. I took one sip and delighted in buttery-coffee-creamy flavor. I found it difficult to just sip and enjoy because I was so hot and thirsty and it was so yummy -almost like coffee flavored ice cream. I slurped the final drops at the bottom and tried to forced myself to not chew the coffee-soaked iced cubes. I could have ordered another.
Over the weekend I had three more white coffees. But, this morning I decided I'd better do a little research before I get too "addicted." In other words, these coffees taste rich and sweet which means they're probably laden with fat and sugar calories.
Sure enough, here's what I learned. Malaysian White Coffee originated in the town of Ipoh which is about 75 kilometers east of here. The coffee beans are roasted in margarine. The brewed coffee is then mixed with sweetened condensed milk and can be drunk hot or cold. Malaysians drink lots of white coffee at work and there are instant coffee packets that are called 3 in 1s which contain coffee powder, sugar, and creamer and make it easy to whip up a cup or glass during the day.
I think that I've had now drunk both the roasted, fresh white coffee and the instant powdered coffee at different cafe/restaurants. I much prefer the fresh to the instant. In light of what I've learned, I've also decided to keep the "white coffee" as a "special occasion" treat rather than a daily habit.
After some quick discussion we all agreed it would be fun to try white coffee at a place several blocks away. As we pulled up to the cafe, I finally understood where all the people hang out between 7:00 and 10-11am ish when stores gradually open. They are chatting with friends over a leisure cup of coffee.The photo-laden menus (yippee!), an order slip, and a pencil were waiting for us in the center of each table. We perused the pictures of the yummy looking coffee drinks and placed our orders. I wanted to start with the basic "white coffee" about which I'd heard so much. I decided to order mine "cold" because by now it was already sweltering hot on the shaded veranda.
The caramel-colored drink came in a tall glass filled with ice and a straw. I took one sip and delighted in buttery-coffee-creamy flavor. I found it difficult to just sip and enjoy because I was so hot and thirsty and it was so yummy -almost like coffee flavored ice cream. I slurped the final drops at the bottom and tried to forced myself to not chew the coffee-soaked iced cubes. I could have ordered another.
Over the weekend I had three more white coffees. But, this morning I decided I'd better do a little research before I get too "addicted." In other words, these coffees taste rich and sweet which means they're probably laden with fat and sugar calories.
Sure enough, here's what I learned. Malaysian White Coffee originated in the town of Ipoh which is about 75 kilometers east of here. The coffee beans are roasted in margarine. The brewed coffee is then mixed with sweetened condensed milk and can be drunk hot or cold. Malaysians drink lots of white coffee at work and there are instant coffee packets that are called 3 in 1s which contain coffee powder, sugar, and creamer and make it easy to whip up a cup or glass during the day.
I think that I've had now drunk both the roasted, fresh white coffee and the instant powdered coffee at different cafe/restaurants. I much prefer the fresh to the instant. In light of what I've learned, I've also decided to keep the "white coffee" as a "special occasion" treat rather than a daily habit.
Sounds yummy! Just take a few more bike rides and you can have as many as you want!
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