There are all kinds of people when it comes to coffee.
Some absolutely hate it.
Some swear by it.
And some love it so much, they become full-blown critics.
Even if they still enjoy a simple cup now and then, they’ve developed a refined taste - and can’t help but critique any brew that doesn’t hit the spot.
Mum knows best
Now, I wouldn't call myself a coffee connoisseur (far from it), but thanks to my mum’s coffee bar, I’ve started noticing the difference between just “coffee” and good coffee. Which is rich coming from me - I drink cappuccinos.
Yes, let’s not pretend I’m sipping straight espressos so that I can actually taste the coffee enough to pass a judgement. Still, after tasting my mum’s creations, I’ve started picking up on which coffees bring joy... and which ones are just a hot, over-milked mess.
Case in point: the other day I sat in a café called Wildflour in Manila. I ordered what sounded like a dream - a vanilla almond latte. But the moment it hit my lips, I felt... disappointed. It was mostly milk and syrup. The coffee flavor? Practically missing.
A few years ago, I wouldn’t have cared. Would have in fact, appreciated the lack of coffee. But now? I’m turning into the very person I used to roll my eyes at. Not sure whether it is "knowledge" or the change of my taste buds though.
Putting those things aside, my mum is absolutely right (as she usually is):
You can’t truly judge coffee if you drown it in milk and sugar. Even a splash changes everything.
Café-hopping my way around Asia
I did realize something, during my travels:
My version of sightseeing is café-hopping. While others chase landmarks (which I like to do from time to time), I’m chasing pastries, restaurants, and cappuccinos.
I love exploring new flavors and tastes, especially because every country has their take on a certain cuisine. Yes, even the pizza in the Philippines, is different to the ones I tried in Nepal and Italy.
Not only a coffee critique
The same goes for coffee — every country, and probably every café or restaurant, has its own way of making it.
I love parking myself in a cozy café, ordering a cappuccino, and trying a pastry, too. Only if it is really tempting though! I won't try it, if it doesn’t look amazing. And if it doesn't taste amazing, it is not worth the calories. Sorry, not sorry.
Different types around the globe
Back to the real question of the day: why does coffee taste different in every country?
Turns out, it’s not just about the beans or the milk — it’s the whole package: climate, processing, roasting, and brewing. I used to think it was just the brand of milk or the bean's origin, but that couldn't be further from the truth.
For example, coffee in Nepal? Incredible.
Every coffee I had there was rich, smooth, and memorable. It might’ve taken them 10–15 minutes to make, but can you imagine the love they put into the coffee? You could taste the care in every sip.
As for the coffees in the Philippines?
Nice.
But not unforgettable. They do work with a higher pace, but I’ve had several times where the coffee wasn’t as rewarding as I’d like it to be. At Manila airport, I got a coffee that was far too hot. It tasted burned and that, my friends, is not how a coffee is supposed to taste - according to my little brother.
Hell, I've even tried the vegan cafés - which provided me with two completely different coffees.
- Ver De in El Nido and Puerto Princesa (same chain, different cities) served delicious cappuccinos.
- Then I went to iVegan in Manila - and the coffee left a weird taste in my mouth. Likely a different oat milk brand - since they are both vegan - and the difference was night and day.
I’m clearly not the only one with these thoughts either. I’ve met quite a few fellow travelers who share the same struggle: the hunt for a great cup of coffee in the Philippines often ends in disappointment. You’ll see plenty of cafés, but very few stand out for their flavor.
And apparently, things don’t get much better in India. I’ve been told your choices are limited to filter coffee - or, if you’re lucky, a Starbucks. But even that doesn’t guarantee a satisfying coffee experience.
Oh mum, what have you done...
As for my mum, thank you for serving me the best coffees back at home.
Honestly, I don't say it because it is my mum, but her cappuccinos are so good, I’ve become a snob.
Other coffees just don’t measure up and I find it hard to appreciate the cappuccinos from the other side of the world.
But you know what? That’s also a gift.
I care about what I consume - and I want the good stuff.
As I'd wish for every city to have a coffee bar like my mums'.
I’d love to take her to Nepal one day, to let her experience their coffee - and in this particular case, I do think the bean has a big part to play. But knowing she hates flying, I don’t see that happening anytime soon. But one can hope!
As for the Philippines - fun, but not good enough for a coffee pilgrimage.
However, a very trustworthy source (ChatGPT) told me about a city on Java called Bandung, which is famous for its coffee culture - every coffee lover’s dream. I’ve already made a list of cafés to try. I’m curious to see whether the coffee is as good as Chat GPT makes it out to be. I am currently in Medan and the coffee I've tried at Toby's Estate and Jilid Satu, were both great - even though they added syrup to my coffee at Jilid Satu. Nevertheless, this is very promising for my trip to Bandung.
Back to the search for the world's finest coffee: mum - if you’re reading this - for the sake of your business (and my growing coffee obsession), I think it’s time we took a little trip.
Just five countries or so. Nothing too crazy.
