“Caramel Apple Pie Latte” – A Dessert-Like Coffee Experience
The Financial Times has published a report on the “Caramel Apple Pie Latte”, a coffee drink that is gaining popularity in specialty cafés. This beverage blends the rich flavors of caramelized apples, warm spices, and bold coffee, offering a unique experience for coffee enthusiasts. It is part of a growing trend of innovative coffee creations that go beyond traditional offerings.
The Origins and Evolution of the Drink
The Caramel Apple Pie Latte draws inspiration from North American cuisine, where apple pie with caramel is a beloved dessert, especially in the United States and Canada during the autumn season. In the early 2000s, cafés began experimenting with incorporating these flavors into coffee, influenced by the success of the pumpkin spice latte, which was introduced by a major coffee chain in 2003 and became a seasonal favorite.
Initially introduced as a limited-time offering, the overwhelming demand encouraged specialty coffee shops to make it a permanent menu item. The drink is crafted using slow-cooked caramelized apples, cinnamon, nutmeg, milk, and high-quality coffee, resulting in a warm and indulgent flavor profile.
A Wave of Innovative Coffee Flavors
This trend is not limited to one café. Around the world, specialty coffee shops are embracing bold new flavors. In London, some cafés serve cold brew infused with hazelnut and cardamom, while others in Brooklyn experiment with pear syrup and brown sugar lattes. In Los Angeles, a café offers spiced cold brew with cinnamon, chili, and sweetened cream, and in Belfast, a local café features a honey latte made with locally sourced Irish honey.
In Belfast, the café Established takes the concept even further with its Caramel Apple Pie Latte, topped with a spiced crumble, making it as much a dessert as it is a coffee drink.
Commitment to Quality Ingredients
Despite their playful nature, these drinks maintain a strong emphasis on quality. Cloe de la Vega, co-founder of a London-based specialty café, states that their syrups are handcrafted rather than store-bought, ensuring superior taste and authenticity. At Doubloons, a single batch of cherry syrup takes three hours to perfect, showcasing the dedication to craft. Similarly, Ivana Somorai, co-founder of Rhythm Zero, spent considerable time fine-tuning the maple sea-salt latte to achieve the ideal balance of sweetness and saltiness.
Coffee as a Social Experience
This wave of inventive coffee drinks also aligns with the increasing popularity of low- and non-alcoholic beverages. Many coffee shops have evolved into social hubs, providing a relaxed alternative to bars and restaurants. Some, like Abuelo and Maru, offer refined interior designs that create a sophisticated ambiance, while Rhythm Zero features black marble accents and modern seating, giving it a high-end lounge feel while maintaining a cozy atmosphere.
