Pairing coffee with the right food can transform your coffee experience, enhancing the flavours and creating a delightful balance. Here are some suggestions for pairing different types of coffee with complementary foods. Whether you prefer black coffee, milk-based coffee, or cold coffee, there’s a perfect pairing waiting for you.
Black Coffee (Espresso, americano)
Espresso (Bold, intense, slightly bitter)
- Suggested pairings: Dark chocolate, biscotti, nuts, tiramisu.
- Why it works: The bold and intense flavour of espresso pairs beautifully with the richness of dark chocolate, creating a harmonious blend of bitter and sweet. Biscotti, with its crunchy texture, provides a delightful contrast to the smooth espresso. Nuts, especially almonds and hazelnuts, complement the espresso’s robust profile, while tiramisu, with its layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone, enhances the espresso’s depth and intensity.
Americano (Smooth, milder than espresso, slightly acidic)
- Suggested pairings: Croissants, buttered toast, nutty granola
- Why it works: The smooth and slightly acidic profile of an Americano complements the buttery and flaky texture of croissants, making for a light and satisfying breakfast pairing. Buttered toast, with its simple yet comforting flavour, enhances the Americano’s mild acidity. Nutty granola adds a pleasant crunch and a hint of sweetness, balancing the coffee’s smoothness and providing a wholesome start to your day.
Milk-based coffee (Latte, cappuccino, mocha)
Latte (Creamy, mild, light coffee flavour)
- Suggested pairings: Vanilla pastries, cinnamon rolls, shortbread cookies
- Why it works: The creamy and mild flavour of a latte is perfectly complemented by the sweetness of vanilla pastries, such as vanilla éclairs or custard-filled danish. Cinnamon rolls, with their warm spices and gooey icing, enhance the latte’s comforting creaminess. Shortbread cookies, with their buttery and crumbly texture, provide a delightful contrast to the latte’s smoothness, making for a satisfying treat.
Cappuccino (Bold coffee with creamy foam, slightly bitter)
- Suggested pairings: Almond biscotti, chocolate croissants, tiramisu
- Why it works: The robust coffee flavour and creamy foam of a cappuccino are beautifully complemented by almond biscotti, which offers a nutty and subtly sweet crunch. Chocolate croissants, with their flaky pastry and rich chocolate filling, enhance the cappuccino’s slight bitterness. Tiramisu, with its layers of coffee-soaked ladyfingers and creamy mascarpone, elevates the cappuccino’s bold and indulgent character.
Mocha (Chocolatey, sweet, creamy)
- Suggested pairings: Chocolate chip cookies, brownies, hazelnut cake
- Why it works: The chocolatey and sweet flavour of a mocha is perfectly complemented by chocolate chip cookies, which add a delightful crunch and extra chocolate goodness. Brownies, with their fudgy and rich texture, enhance the mocha’s creamy and indulgent taste. Hazelnut cake, with its nutty and sweet flavour, provides a harmonious pairing that elevates the mocha’s chocolatey profile.
Cold coffee (Iced coffee, cold brew)
Iced Coffee (Chilled brewed coffee, slightly diluted)
- Suggested pairings: Lemon pound cake, fruit tarts, yogurt parfait
- Why it works: The chilled and slightly diluted flavour of iced coffee pairs well with the zesty and refreshing taste of lemon pound cake, creating a bright and invigorating combination. Fruit tarts, with their fresh and tangy fruit toppings, complement the iced coffee’s refreshing profile. Yogurt parfait, with its creamy and tangy layers, adds a delightful contrast to the coffee’s smoothness, making for a balanced and satisfying treat.
Cold brew (Smooth, low-acidity, naturally sweet)
- Suggested pairings: Peanut butter cookies, oatmeal bars, dark chocolate
- Why it works: The smooth and naturally sweet flavour of cold brew is complemented by the richness of peanut butter cookies, which add a nutty and satisfying crunch. Oatmeal bars, with their hearty and wholesome texture, enhance the cold brew’s natural sweetness. Dark chocolate, with its intense and slightly bitter flavour, provides a perfect balance to the coffee’s smoothness, creating a harmonious pairing.
Discover the perfect coffee and food pairings
Pairing coffee with the right food can elevate your coffee experience to new heights. Whether you prefer the bold intensity of an espresso, the creamy sweetness of a latte, or the refreshing smoothness of a cold brew, there’s a perfect pairing for every coffee lover. Experiment with these suggestions and discover your favourite combinations to enhance your coffee enjoyment.
