Are you looking for a coffee that doesn’t taste like coffee?
Well, the following guide will help you find and make a cup of coffee that doesn’t taste like one.
So, are you ready?
Let’s get started.
Understanding Your Coffee
I have been a coffee lover for the most part of my life, and I have tasted quite a few varieties of coffee during this period.
So, the one thing that has always helped me in selecting the right coffee is the understanding of coffee.
Here’s what I mean:
If you want to taste a great cup of coffee, you need to know the part of the world where it’s coming from.
Also, it’s important to know the type of roast you’re going to use for your coffee.
Both these aspects can help you understand the coffee.
Why?
The answer is simple.
If you don’t know the origin and type of coffee beans, you will end up making either too strong or too light coffee for your taste.
Types Of Coffee That Don’t Taste Like Coffee
You can find many varieties of coffee that are purposefully made to cater to the people who don’t like a strong flavor or taste.
But the best way to find what works for you is by using the trial and error method.
You should try as many brands and flavors as possible to come up with one or two reliable coffee flavors.
I followed the same technique, and now I know I like Arabica beans coffee more than anything else.
Still, if you are looking for suggestions, here are some of the options you can try initially.
1. Green Coffee Refreshers
Refreshers also contain coffee!
Well, a different type, though.
This refreshment drink contains Green Coffee extract.
The extract is collected from unroasted green coffee beans, which makes it a relatively mild beverage.
However, as I mentioned earlier, it still comes with a bit of caffeine.
As for the taste, it doesn’t taste like a regular cup of coffee.
And you will love its flavors more if you don’t like the traditional bitter coffee taste.
2. Mochá Latte
I think Mochá Latte is the first freshly brewed coffee variation you should try during your quest for a different style of coffee.
For those who’ve never tried it before, it tastes a lot different than Black Coffee or Black Tea.
The creaminess of added milk and syrup gives it a nice rich taste, which is not comparable with your regular coffee.
Also, if you are looking for a less bitter taste, I think you can try this style of coffee.
3. Instant Coffee
If you are not too concerned about how the perfect coffee tastes, I think instant coffee can be a great choice for non-coffee lovers.
Most of these instant powders do not offer robust flavor to the final preparation.
So, you won’t notice the same intense flavor in your coffee.
And if you add milk and sugar to it, it also helps in toning down the coffee effect even further.
Hopefully, it will help you to make your own version of coffee at home.
4. Chai Latte
Although I am not a big fan of Chai Latte, you can surely consider it for your quest.
I have come across many people who say – I don’t like coffee, but I need caffeine.
For such people, Chai Latte is a must-try caffeinated beverage.
It tastes more like tea (Masala Chai Tea) with a touch of creamy texture to it.
If you are someone who loves your morning cup of tea, you might love this fusion drink inspired by Coffee and Tea.
It is also prepared with quite a few Indian spices.
So, if you like Indian food, you will probably like Chai Latte more than other beverages on this list.
5. Vietnamese Coffee
Vietnamese Coffee is an interesting variation of coffee.
It is made using Brewed Coffee and Condensed Milk.
The only flip side of this coffee is you will still get the taste coffee in your drink.
You can enjoy this coffee in both hot and cold coffee style.
6. Frappuccino
Ah, the Frappuccino!
If you want to go one step ahead of Cold Brew Coffee, try Frappuccinos.
For those who don’t know, this type of coffee is prepared using milk, ice, whipped cream, and other delicious toppings.
And I think it comes closer to the topic of this guide, i.e., the coffee that doesn’t taste like coffee.
It is an entirely different drink in itself.
We wouldn’t even call it a coffee if there was no addition of coffee in the recipe.
As for taste, it offers a smooth and balanced taste as compared to hot coffee variations.
If you want to introduce your kids to the coffee world, the Frappuccinos can be a good choice for them.
It doesn’t taste bitter at all.
The addition of milk, whipped cream, and toppings also gives you a rich experience.
7. Misto Coffee
It is another great variation for coffee lovers.
If you want a bit more intense flavor than Latte, Misto Coffee can be an ideal alternative to it.
You can also prepare this coffee variation at home.
For the preparation, all you have to do is prepare the black coffee with any of your favorite methods.
Once the decoction is ready, you can mix it with an equal amount of steamed milk.
And your Misto Coffee is ready!
The only thing you need to remember is the 1:1 ratio of Coffee and Milk.
8. Cold Brew Coffee
Cold Brew Coffee is another option!
It doesn’t taste like regular coffee.
And if you are going to make it at home, you can also add more ingredients like Ice Cream and Choco Chips to it.
Both these ingredients will help in reducing the quintessential coffee flavor.
The good thing about Cold Brew Coffee is it tastes different, and you also get to enjoy many other delicious flavors too.
So, do try it out if you like cold beverages over the hot ones.
Note – You can also make this coffee with Instant Coffee powder, which will help you save a good amount of time required for the cold brewing process.
How To Make That Doesn’t Taste Like Coffee?
There are certain techniques that can help you in making such coffee at home.
So, let’s take a look at the different ways to make this coffee using conventional techniques.
1. Instant Coffee
In my opinion, Instant Coffee making method can be a great way to achieve the less-coffee-like taste.
The reason lies in the roasting and brewing process.
Since both these processes take place in the factories, the powder tends to lose its strong flavor over the period.
And when it reaches your home, you don’t get the same taste and flavor as freshly brewed Starbucks coffee or homebrewed coffee.
Just like the ground spices, the coffee loses its flavors fairly quickly.
So, if you want to make a light cup of coffee, you can add a little amount of powder to your cup.
And it should do the trick.
If you want to dilute it even further, you can add milk and sugar to it.
2. Moka Pot Coffee
Talking about the brewed coffee methods, Moka Pot is quite an experience.
Yes, you need to master the art of making coffee in these pots.
And once you do, you will probably not go back to other methods.
However, if you don’t use the correct technique, you will end up making bitter coffee.
This method is also known for making strong coffee.
So, it won’t be suitable for you if you are looking for a light cup of coffee.
But if you still want to try it out, here’s what you can do –
- Use a light blend of powder for the brewing process.
- Use less amount of decoction in your coffee.
- Add more water or milk to it.
These three steps should help you reduce the strong flavor of your coffee.
3. French Press Coffee
Unlike Moka Pots, the French Press method gives you more control while making coffee.
It somewhat allows you to get the flavor and taste you want in your coffee.
So, if you use lightly roasted coffee beans powder, you may be able to achieve a very light flavor to your coffee.
But again, the freshly brewed coffee tends to give more intense flavor to the decoction.
Having said that, I think French Press can help you make a decent cup of coffee, especially if you compare it with Moka Pot and other coffee-making methods.
4. Drip Coffee
Drip Coffee is a unique technique in the coffee-making world.
The only thing I liked about this type of method is it gives a balanced taste and flavor to your coffee.
Like the French Press technique, it offers you more control over the final outcome of this process.
So, if you want to make a coffee that doesn’t taste like coffee, you can try the Drip Coffee method.
Note – Chemex Coffeemaker is a great tool to make your own Drip Coffee at home.
And yes, don’t forget to choose a light roast for the brewing process.
5. Espresso Machines
Espresso Machines are quite good if you like coffee in the first place.
The coffee you get with a sophisticated machine is incomparable with other methods discussed in this guide.
These machines are designed to make a robust cup of coffee.
So, if you want to make a light cup, you will need to adjust the coffee powder, brewing time, and other essential functions in your machine.
Overall, it is not a very suitable method to make such coffee at home.
Things To Remember
Whenever you feel like having this type of coffee, you need to remember three ingredients milk, sugar, and whipped cream.
That’s all you require to reduce the sharpness of strong blends.
1. Make it like an Americano!
If you want to experiment with Black Coffee, you can add more water to it.
It may not have the same results as milk and whipped cream, but it will still lessen the effect of intense coffee flavors.
It will also add a bit of smoothness to the coffee.
2. Roast Type
For the coffee beans or powder, I’d always recommend a light or blonde roast.
This type of roast is meant to give you a subtle taste of the coffee.
And in most cases, you will not notice any bitterness or sharp taste in the end.
So, as you can see, it makes the whole job a lot easier.
You can simply use the light roast, and you will probably not feel like you experienced something that wakes up your senses.
It’s also a perfect coffee for those who’re looking for a soothing experience than taste.
3. Extraction Time
Coffee extraction time is another important factor in deciding the taste of your coffee.
If you leave the powder in hot water for a long time, it will turn more bitter and sharp.
For light cups, I’d suggest you stop extracting your coffee much before the recommended extraction time.
It will help in extracting a very light decoction, which will eventually make your coffee lighter than the usual one.
4. Salt
The secret ingredient!
If you have made a little strong coffee, you can reduce its sharpness by adding a pinch of salt.
Yes, it will make your coffee a bit salty, but you can adjust the salty taste by balancing it with some sugar (and milk).
This trick also works when you are making curries with slight bitter veggies too.
So, try it out and let me know if it helped or not.
Over To You
Well, there is a reason why they say coffee-making is an art.
And I’m sure you might have got a glimpse of it while reading the above guide.
If you want to make a coffee as per your liking, you will have to try various methods mentioned in this guide.
However, if you are not too keen on experimenting with different methods at home, you can simply visit Starbucks or any of your favorite coffee shop.
You can even request them to make a customized cup as per your taste.
So, have you tasted a coffee that doesn’t taste like one?
Do let me know in the comments section below.
If you liked this guide, share it with someone who is new to the coffee world or might be interested in making a light cup of coffee.
Brittany says
I am new to coffee drinking and the sharp taste of coffee is off putting but I love sweet versus bitter. These tips have helped a lot and I’m slowly finding my perfect cup. Thank you for all the tips!
Harshad says
Thanks for the feedback, Brittany!