A – Z Of Coffee In Colombo – 2021.

A for Americano

This is literally an American drink, as it was invented by Americans themselves. The story of the Americano goes all the way back to the years of World War II. It is said that American soldiers who were stationed in Italy didn't quite like the espresso that the Italians tend to drink. So, in an attempt to replicate the drip from their homeland, they decided to dilute the espresso with water. 

If you cannot handle the strong punch of espresso, you can go for this – it's lighter than that, and does not have that in-your-face espresso thump. Some tend to have it with milk too.

The light brown, foam-like substance layer that you'd see on top of an Americano is usually a result of the aromatic oils processed with the coffee beans, forced to come out of them by the hot water.

Try it at: Whight & Co, Black Cat Cafe, Coffee & Company

C for Ca Phe Sua Da

Coming from the land of the Blue Dragon, Ca Phe Sua Da, aka the Vietnamese Iced Coffee is a concoction of Vietnamese dark roast coffee and sweetened condensed milk. A drip filter is used to brew this one – after hot water is added, the hot coffee slowly drops into the cup, on top of the hefty layer of condensed milk. It's consumed cold, so before serving, a few ice cubes will be added. 

Try it at: Pho Vietnam, Whight & Co, Pages & Coffee, Seed Cafe

C For Ca Phe Trung

Image source: longshortlondon.com

Another delicacy hailing from Vietnam, it's also known as Vietnamese Egg Coffee. This involves beating egg yolks with condensed milk until it becomes airy, creamy and marshmallow-like fluff. Then it's poured on top of the espresso. The rich, silky smooth, sweet form perfectly complements the strong espresso, making a fine bitter-sweet medium.

Try it at: Department Of Coffee, Tea Avenue, Sugarcube

C for Cappuccino

A Cappuccino is basically a shot of espresso layered over with an equal quantity of hot milk, and topped with a crown of airy foamed milk. The milk isn't mixed with espresso, so you'd see defined layers and the presence of the potent coffee punch is a highlight. The light layer of fluffy foam, and less diluted with milk also add up to this. Cafes tend to serve cappuccinos with different flavours – hazelnut, caramel etc.

Try it at: Butter Boutique, Department Of Coffee, KIKU, Dolce Italia, The Grind Coffeehouse, Monkeybean Cafe, Café 1959, Seed Cafe, Bakes By Bella

C for Cold Drip

The general method of coffee making includes hot water, but the Cold Drip is made with cold water. Its brewed by dripping water on freshly ground coffee, at a very slow pace, so it will take around 12 – 24 for preparation. Creating an intense, robust coffee flavour is the intention of this lengthy brewing process. 

Try it at: Whight & Co, Café 1959, Department Of Coffee

C For Café au lait

Image source: alwaystheholidays.com

D For Dalgona Coffee

Dalgona coffee was a worldwide sensation during last year's long lockdown. In a time that we can't step into a cafe to enjoy some coffee, this was a godsend.

Now the hype has gone down a bit, but its delicious flavours stand still. The making of it is quite simple too. Firstly, you beat equal parts instant coffee powder, sugar, and hot water until it becomes creamy, airy and fluffy, and then add it to cold or hot milk. 

Try it at: Tropical Yum, Peppermint Cafe

E for Espresso

Serves as the base of some cups of coffee, Espresso is an excellent option to enjoy the full-bodied flavour of a coffee. They are offered in shots, forced pressurising hot water through the finely grounded coffee beans. Serving it soon after the preparation is highly recommended, as it's paramount for the flavour. This one also features crema, which adds up to the tantalising aroma of the Espresso. It's a very strong coffee, mostly consumed by avid coffee drinkers. 

Try it at: Kopi Kade, Whight & Co, Butter Boutique, Department Of Coffee, Café 1959, Seed Cafe, Bakes By Bella

F for Flat White

If there is a cup of coffee that provides you with a strong taste of espresso, along with a creamy feeling on the palate, a Flat White is the safest bet. The perfect layer of microfoam is the key aspect of a proper Flat White. It helps to emerge the coffee notes in a bold manner. In comparison to Cappuccino, this one tends to be stronger in terms of coffee taste, and less-foamy. 

Try it at: Butter Boutique, Kopi Kade, Department Of Coffee, Café 1959, Seed Cafe

F for Frappe

Shaken, blended or beaten to create a foamy and icy drink – a Frappe is a very refreshing drink. Often served with whipped cream and different toppings, it is traditionally made with coffee (espresso frappe, caramel cappuccino frappe etc.) but nowadays you'll find different flavoured frappes in cafes – paired with teas, juices and chocolate. 

Try it at: Café La Défense (Bambalapitiya), Java Lounge

I for Indian Filter Coffee

With the combination of frothy milk and coffee, the Indian Filter Coffee is brewed with a stainless steel coffee filter, using the dripping method. Finely grounded coffee will be slowly poured over by hot water, which extracts a thick decoction of coffee, and then will be mixed with hot milk and sugar. Served in the traditional dabarah and tumbler, this brew has a nice foam on top, tastes sweet, and very milky, yet boasts some rich coffee notes. Servers often pour it from one vessel held high above their heads to another one held lower, creating what is locally known as ‘metre coffee’. 

Try it at: Sri Suryas, Shanmugas, Thalis

I for Iced Coffee

The classic combination of coffee and milk, along with a few ice cubes swimming about – we do not need odes to describe this one.

Try it at: The Cake Factory

I for Ipoh White Coffee

Interesting fact – Ipoh White Coffee was originated in the town of Ipoh in Malaysia, and it was named one of the top three coffee towns by Lonely Planet. The uniqueness lies within the fact that these coffee beans are roasted with palm oil margarine. It might look like your average Kiri Kopi, but has richer and smoother notes of coffee popping through milk. 

Try it at: Santai Colombo

K for Kiri Kopi

Ah! Kiri Kopi! This is basically survival juice for us Lankans, especially when you're at home on a gloomy day, and trying to warm yourself up. A concoction of coffee (Harischandra or Island Coffee, most of the time), hot milk and sugar to taste. Restaurants often make it with sweetened condensed milk, to improve the creamy factory while reducing the sugar content. 

Try it at: The Cauldron

L for Latte

Latte is the less foamy and milkier version of a Cappuccino. The coffee flavour is very subtle here, and it's served in a taller glass. Also, the milk is poured into espresso in a manner where it creates a canvas for latte art, which is an important characteristic of a latte. Cafes often pair this with different syrups – caramel, hazelnut etc. 

Try it at: Butter Boutique, Dolce Italia, Brown Bean Coffee, Seed Cafe, Department Of Coffee, Café 1959

L For Long Black

Image source: tasteatlas.com

Long Black is the reversal of Americano. Instead of adding water to the espresso, here they add espresso to water. It's a stronger, heavier body, with more crema on the surface. 

Try it at: Department Of Coffee, Café 1959, Kopi Kade

M for Macchiato

An espresso, strained or subdued with a splash of milk is what makes a Macchiato. This usually features a tinge of foam on top, and is the closest that you can get to an espresso. 

Try it at: Kopi Kade, Dolce Italia, Seed Cafe, Bakes By Bella

M for Mocaccino

P for Pour-Over

As the name implies, the Pour Over is made by pouring hot water over coffee grounds and filtering it to result in a smooth brew. It's all about balancing the coarseness of the coffee grounds, and the temperature of the water, along with the quality of the filter.

Try it at: Whight & Co, Seed Cafe, Department Of Coffee, Café 1959, Kopi Kade

P For Piccolo

Piccolo shouldn't be underestimated for its petit size. Because sometimes, great things come in small sizes. It's a mellowed down espresso, but quite punchier than a regular latte. A wonderful way to get yourself caffeinated, without filling yourself up.

Try it at: Seed Cafe, Department Of Coffee, Café 1959

S For Sukku Coffee

The authentic recipe of Sukku Coffee doesn't actually involve any coffee. It's more of a spice-infused medicinal drink that helps to ease things up when you're suffering from a cold or flu. But in Colombo, you can find a coffee-based Sukku Coffee, with a strong punch of sukku, AKA ginger. 

Try it at: Chaiwala Colombo

T for Turmeric Latte