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SOUTH KOREA's bustling cafe scene is famous for pushing the boundaries of taste, texture and creativity. From comforting grains to unexpected flavours, these trendy lattes that have emerged from cafes in Seoul and beyond, are anything but ordinary. Let’s dive into 10 unique latte varieties that showcase the best of South Korean cafe culture!
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1. Grain Latte (Misugaru Latte)
Taste & Flavour: Nutty, subtly sweet, with a hint of earthiness.
Aroma: Reminiscent of roasted grains and warm oats.
Texture & Appearance: Smooth and thick, with a creamy beige hue.
Common Accompaniments: Often paired with honey or sesame cookies.
Ingredients & Variations: Made from roasted grains like barley, brown rice, and sesame; some variations include nuts or seeds.
Basic Recipe Lowdown: Mix misugaru powder with milk and honey, then blend until smooth.
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2. Ssuk Latte (Mugwort Latte)
Taste & Flavour: Slightly bitter, herbal, with a sweet undertone.
Aroma: Earthy and fresh, like a spring meadow.
Texture & Appearance: Pale green, frothy, with a creamy finish.
Common Accompaniments: Pairs well with sweet rice cakes or honeyed nuts.
Ingredients & Variations: Mugwort powder or extract; variations might include rice syrup or green tea.
Basic Recipe Lowdown: Mugwort is steeped in warm milk, then blended and sweetened to taste.
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3. Black Sesame Latte
Taste & Flavour: Rich, nutty, with a smoky depth.
Aroma: Roasted sesame seeds with a hint of sweetness.
Texture & Appearance: Thick, dark grey, velvety.
Common Accompaniments: Black sesame cookies or sweet rice balls.
Ingredients & Variations: Ground black sesame seeds, milk, and a touch of honey.
Basic Recipe Lowdown: Toasted black sesame seeds are ground into a paste, then blended with warm milk and honey.
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4. Jolly Pong Latte
Taste & Flavour: Sweet, with hints of caramelised corn puffs.
Aroma: Smells like a mix of caramel popcorn and milk.
Texture & Appearance: Frothy, light brown, topped with Jolly Pong cereal.
Common Accompaniments: Goes well with buttery cookies or toast.
Ingredients & Variations: Milk, Jolly Pong cereal, a dash of sugar; variations might add vanilla.
Basic Recipe Lowdown: Milk is infused with crushed Jolly Pong, then blended and topped with the cereal.
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5. Corn Latte
Taste & Flavour: Sweet, creamy, with a distinct corn flavour.
Aroma: Like sweet corn cooking on a summer grill.
Texture & Appearance: Pale yellow, thick, with a smooth top layer.
Common Accompaniments: Buttered toast or sweet corn fritters.
Ingredients & Variations: Made from sweet corn kernels, milk, and a bit of sugar; sometimes caramelised.
Basic Recipe Lowdown: Blended sweet corn and milk, strained for a silky texture.
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6. Peanut Butter Latte
Taste & Flavour: Nutty, rich, and slightly salty-sweet.
Aroma: Peanut butter, warm and inviting.
Texture & Appearance: Creamy, pale brown, with a thick foam layer.
Common Accompaniments: Chocolate cookies or banana slices.
Ingredients & Variations: Peanut butter, milk, and sugar; variations can include chocolate or banana.
Basic Recipe Lowdown: Peanut butter is whisked into warm milk, sweetened, and frothed.
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7. Sweet Potato Latte (Goguma Latte)
Taste & Flavour: Sweet, earthy, and comforting.
Aroma: Like roasted sweet potatoes on a chilly evening.
Texture & Appearance: Smooth, pale orange, and creamy.
Common Accompaniments: Pairs well with sweet rice cakes or sesame balls.
Ingredients & Variations: Roasted sweet potatoes, milk, and a touch of honey; sometimes topped with cinnamon.
Basic Recipe Lowdown: Roasted sweet potato flesh is blended with milk and honey, then served warm.
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8. Matcha Latte
Taste & Flavour: Earthy, grassy, with a mild bitterness.
Aroma: Fresh green tea, slightly sweet.
Texture & Appearance: Vibrant green, foamy, with a smooth finish.
Common Accompaniments: Mochi or matcha-flavoured cookies.
Ingredients & Variations: Matcha powder, milk, sugar; variations might use oat or almond milk.
Basic Recipe Lowdown: Matcha powder is whisked into milk, then sweetened and frothed.
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9. Hongshi (Persimmon) Latte
Taste & Flavour: Naturally sweet, with a hint of warmth from cinnamon and the mild tang of ripe persimmons.
Aroma: Fruity, with undertones of honey and spice.
Texture & Appearance: Smooth, creamy, and pale orange, thanks to the ripe persimmons.
Common Accompaniments: Best enjoyed with almond biscotti or honey-roasted nuts.
Ingredients & Variations: Ripe hachiya persimmons ("hongshi"), milk (or almond milk for a dairy-free version), cinnamon, and optional sweeteners like honey or maple syrup.
Basic Recipe Lowdown: Ripe persimmons are peeled and blended with milk, cinnamon, and sweetener until smooth. The mixture is then warmed, resulting in a comforting and creamy latte.
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South Korea’s latte game is as diverse as its vibrant cafe scene. Whether you’re in the mood for nutty, herbal, or sweet flavours, these lattes promise a delicious journey through Korean culture — one sip at a time!
