From catching up with friends to chilly days in, there’s a Christmas coffee moment for everyone it seems…
With Gen Z leading the way in redefining coffee culture through experimentation and taste exploration, Christmas is the perfect time to elevate your holiday spreads and impress your friends with creative coffee and food pairings.
Experts at Reviva Coffee have analysed the flavour profile of the top Christmas coffee pairings, revealing to ATV Today Lifestyle at Christmas how these combinations can boost mood and enhance relaxation around the holidays.
Walnuts & Caramel Coffee
A salted caramel Irish coffee blends seamlessly with walnuts, which is traditionally recognised as a symbol of fruitfulness at Christmas.
This blend’s buttery, sweet notes contrast the earthy, slightly bitter flavour of walnuts – creating a nutty fusion. Not only do the crunch of walnuts provide a satisfying contrast to the smoothness of the milk-based coffee, but their natural richness mirrors the creaminess of caramel coffee.
Dates & Turkish Coffee
A must have fruit for Christmas, dates refined and irresistible qualities are perfect for the festive period.
The honey-like sweetness of dates pairs well with Turkish coffee, known for its strong, robust taste, balancing out the slightly bitter notes. Both dates and Turkish coffee have earthy undertones, enhancing the pairing’s aromatic experience. While the chewy texture of dates compliments the soft and velvety feel of Turkish coffee.
Milk Chocolate & Cappuccino
The creamy, smooth taste of a cappuccino compliments a milk chocolate treat as the classic pairing share common flavour compounds – roasted and bittersweet notes.
The creamy richness of chocolate enhances the smooth sweetness and espresso of the cappuccino, elevating the sweetness of the pair. Similarly, the velvety texture of milk chocolate mimics that of the cappuccino’s forth. Another Christmas essential, milk chocolate contains compounds that can stimulate the release of “feel-good” chemicals in the brain, leading to a temporary mood boost and feelings of pleasure and relaxation.
Gingerbread Cookies & Vanilla Chai
As a culinary staple, gingerbread offers the warming taste of Christmas and evokes holiday flavours, as does chai. Vanilla chai is spiced, creamy and slightly sweet, making it the perfect match for gingerbread and their spices harmonise with one another.
Chai’s creamy texture softens the gingerbread cookies crunch and crisp texture, providing an ideal contrast. While the warm spices in the gingerbread amplify the chai’s spice blend. The spices found inside gingerbread have been linked to aiding digestion and helping to fight the common cold, making it perfect for this time of year.
Cinnamon Rolls & Colombian Coffee
Colombian coffee, known for its balanced flavor profile with notes of caramel, citrus, and nuts, takes on a festive charm when paired with cinnamon. The warm, sweet spiciness of cinnamon enhances the coffee’s nutty aroma, evoking the scents of holiday baking and comfort with familiar flavours.
Cinnamon also elevates the natural caramel-like sweetness in the coffee, creating a harmonious balance reminiscent of Christmas treats.
