What's the difference between Charcoal Coffee and Charcoal-Roasted Coffee? How to brew delicious Japanese-style Charcoal Coffee

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The Origins and Evolution of Charcoal Roasted Coffee

Charcoal roasted coffee originated from Japan and gained popularity there. In the past, when mentioning charcoal roasted coffee, it almost always referred to coffee beans heavily roasted with charcoal fire. Under such deep roasting, coffee beans would quickly secrete a thin layer of oil on their surface, so the name "charcoal roasted" was likely meant to describe that deep black, oily appearance.

Today, with increasingly advanced roasting machines and more diverse heat sources, most charcoal roasted coffee is now a blend (Blend), made by mixing multiple varieties of coffee beans according to specific formulas and then roasting them deeply. Therefore, modern charcoal roasted coffee refers more to a flavor and mouthfeel, characterized by strong burnt aroma and rich body, no longer possessing fruity acidic flavors.

FrontStreet Coffee's Approach to Charcoal Roasted Coffee

You might think that charcoal roasted coffee is available everywhere, and indeed that's true. As a flavor description, various establishments have their own recipes. FrontStreet Coffee, of course, also has its own coffee bean blending formula. We deliberately chose this popular variety as our first flagship release to satisfy our caffeine enthusiasts. ;-)

Kopi Joss: Yogyakarta's Unique Charcoal Coffee

Located in south-central Java, Indonesia, Yogyakarta is the birthplace of Javanese culture and arts, with developed literature and dance, numerous reliefs and statues, and the world-famous thousand-year-old Buddhist monument - Borobudur.

However, today's purpose is not to introduce tourism, but to proudly present a local specialty: freshly brewed, roasted, pure handmade specialty drink.

Kopi Joss is a unique type of charcoal coffee from Yogyakarta. Yes, it's made with freshly burned charcoal - not some instant 3-in-1 charcoal coffee mix.

In this editor's coffee chronicle, after experiencing Vietnamese egg coffee, American ice cream cone coffee, Finnish cheese coffee, Singapore butter coffee, Mexican flaming waterfall coffee, and Indonesian civet coffee, the addition of Kopi Joss becomes the perfect finishing touch - and it's the kind that's pitch black and aromatic.

Locally, a cup of civet coffee costs 50,000 Indonesian Rupiah (approximately 25 RMB), while a cup of Kopi Joss costs only 4,000 Indonesian Rupiah (approximately 2 RMB). Most importantly, you can witness the complete transformation process from ordinary coffee to charcoal coffee. You can both drink and play - comprehensive value for money NO.1.

At roadside tea stalls in Yogyakarta, locals usually spend their time there chatting with friends, smoking, resting, or eating snacks. You can easily find a cup of authentic Kopi Joss here, and basically all tourists who come here choose to try this local famous beverage.

The Preparation and Experience of Kopi Joss

After confirming your order, the vendor first pours some coffee into a cup, then adds hot water and sugar. Skillfully, they pick up the hot water kettle, grab two pieces of glowing red charcoal from underneath, and add them to the coffee. The sound made in the water at that moment proves they are "alive."

Soon, the temperature of the fiery red charcoal blocks decreases with the water temperature, returning to their original pitch-black appearance before burning.

According to reports, Kopi Joss coffee has a history of over 50 years and has been deeply loved by locals for many years, now evolving into a habit.

Some local coffee mixers say this drink can help restore a person's strength. The reason this beverage is famous locally is due to everyone's curious psychology.

The charcoal content in Kopi Joss coffee is lower than in regular coffee, perhaps because the charcoal absorbs part of it. The high temperature of the charcoal fire also effectively neutralizes the coffee's acidity, while emitting a unique aroma and a hint of caramel fragrance.

The Benefits of Charcoal Coffee

So, what are the benefits of charcoal coffee exactly?

It is said that charcoal helps neutralize stomach acid and has long been used as a remedy for bloating, digesting food, and curing gastrointestinal problems.

Perhaps you'll stare at this "coffee ash" with a purer color than squid ink for a long time,

repeatedly asking yourself: Should I drink it after the charcoal ash settles?

Or should I drink it now while it's hot?

Won't it be dirty to eat charcoal ash into your stomach?

Don't worry, things you eat will always become dirty, besides, you've already accepted civet coffee, haven't you? In different countries, there are different dietary habits and ways. Having the courage to try - that's the true meaning of travel.

If you have the opportunity to go there, give it a try. The worst that can happen is diarrhea, besides, so many tourists who have tried it don't seem to have any adverse reactions afterward.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473