Over the past year, the term “white coffee” has come to mean something very different than it used to.
Nowadays, some coffee shops in the U.S. use the term for coffee roasted at a much lower temperature and for a shorter time than a blond roast, giving it a nutty and somewhat acidic flavor.
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This has been done for over a hundred years in other parts of the world, like Yemen, but is now making its way stateside.
While you can get white coffee beans, they usually come pre-ground since the beans themselves are much harder than regular roasted coffee and must be ground in a special grinder. These beans are usually meant to be brewed through an espresso machine, so brewing some in your Keurig will probably leave you with coffee that doesn’t live up to the hype.
So let’s look at the other definition of white coffee. While the term has never really caught on in the States, for the rest of the world, it’s usually a cup of coffee with something that lightens or “whitens” the color of the coffee.
So how to make white coffee in a Keurig? Well, let’s talk about that and get brewing.
What is the Difference Between White Coffee and Regular Coffee?
When it comes right down to it, the main difference is the added “whitener.” In the most traditional sense, white coffee is just a cup of coffee with a whitener added. These whiteners range from any milk (don’t limit yourself to just cow’s milk), cream, creamer, and/or any mild alternatives you can think of.
I know what you’re saying, “that’s just coffee and cream,” and you would be on the right track(kind of), but there is so much that you can do with that.
They say that in simplicity, there is beauty, and white coffee is no different. This drink is the basis for so many of the drinks that we love.
Do you want your milk heated? You made yourself a Café au lait.
Maybe you want something a little sweeter to get your day started. You’re in luck! Whip up some sugar in a bit of espresso, add that to your cup, and you’ve got yourself my favorite coffee drink: cafe Cubano.
With something so simple, it’s easy to find something just right for you with a white coffee base.
Alright, Let’s make this Thing
Now that we understand what we are making let’s get into the how.
Things You’ll Need
- Keurig brewer
- Your preferred K-Cup or coffee
- Your “whitener” of choice (We’ll be using whole milk in ours)
- Your favorite mug
- A little imagination
Step 1: Preheat your milk
Before we get our Keurig set up, you have to decide if you will be using warm milk with your coffee. If you are, you’ll want to preheat your milk a few minutes before you’re ready to start brewing your coffee.
You’ll want to keep a close eye on the milk as it heats, as you can end up with scorched milk very quickly. The best way to do this is over low-medium heat, keep it moving, and watch it like a hawk.
You want to aim for the sweetest milk at around 100° Fahrenheit.
Step 2: Setting up the Keurig
Now that we’ve decided if we’re going to preheat our milk, it’s time to get the Keurig ready to go.
Fill the reservoir with the appropriate amount of water and toss your favorite K-Cup flavor in there.
If you’re looking to try something new but aren’t sure where to start, check out our rundown of the Best K-Cups.
Step 3: Add the Milk
Fill your mug about a fourth of the way with either cold or heated milk.
If you’re using cold milk, adding it before brewing your coffee will help to bring the milk up to temperature before you start drinking it.
Step 4: Brew
Taking into account the extra space the milk takes up, set the Keurig to the appropriate amount of liquid output.
So, if you’re looking for an eight-ounce cup of white coffee, you’ll want to set the Keurig for a six-ounce cup and use the other two ounces for your milk of choice.
Finally, throw your special mug under the brew spout and let it brew.
Step 5: Enjoy
Grab your mug and enjoy one of the simplest cups of coffee you can make.
Does the “Whitener” I Use Matter?
The short answer: not really, so pick one that you like. The only real requirement is that it makes the coffee “white.” This leaves you with so many options.
If you’re looking for something a little sweeter, whole milk is a great option since it contains a lot more sugar than something like 2% or skim milk.
I have a bit of a sweet tooth and tend to stick with condensed milk or a sweetened coffee creamer if I’m feeling wild.
So experiment and find the one that’s right for you.
How do I make an Iced Version?
If you want to make an iced white coffee to cool you down on a hot afternoon, have no fear, we have you covered there, too.
You’ll just need a glass and some ice.
As a quick note, if you’re using milk on the thicker side, like condensed milk, you’ll want to mix it into the hot coffee before you pour it over your ice. This will heat it a bit, making it easier to combine with the coffee.
Since we will be pouring hot coffee over ice, you’ll also want to ensure that you brew your coffee a little stronger than you normally would. This helps to keep your iced coffee from tasting watery.
You can also use iced coffee cubes; they won’t water down your drink, and you can brew your coffee at regular strength unless you’re looking for that afternoon pick-me-up.
Add your milk to your glass with ice. Once your coffee is brewed, toss it in, give it a good mix, and you’ve made a delicious cup of white coffee.
Happy Caffeinating!
