World’s Weirdest Coffee Drinks You’ve Never Tried

You’ve had espresso, Americano, cappuccino, maybe even cold brew — but have you ever sipped coffee from an edible cup or stirred butter into your morning brew? If your idea of ‘unusual’ stops at an iced latte, the world has some seriously strange coffee innovations waiting for you.

According to The Courier Mail, the planet’s weirdest coffee drinks include everything from a coffee served in an actual cookie-like cup to a Finnish recipe mixing soft cheese into espresso. We’ve rounded up the most bizarre, ranking them by sheer oddity and explaining how — and why — they exist.

1. Edible Coffee Cup (USA)

One of the most novel ways to serve coffee doesn’t involve a ceramic or paper cup at all. In the United States, some cafes serve coffee inside an edible cookie-like cup made from a grain-based dough, often with chocolate or cinnamon flavoring. The cup is designed to hold hot liquid without dissolving for several minutes, and it can be eaten once you finish your drink. It’s both functional and snackable — a dessert and a drink in one.

2. Egg Coffee (Vietnam)

Vietnamese egg coffee, or cà phê trứng, is a rich, velvety drink that combines strong Vietnamese-brewed coffee with a frothy egg yolk topping. Traditionally made with Robusta coffee, sweetened condensed milk, and whisked egg yolks, the result is a dessert-like beverage with a texture similar to tiramisu. It was invented in Hanoi during the 1940s as a way to replace milk during shortages. Today, it remains a beloved specialty drink in Vietnam and has gained global attention for its unique preparation.

3. Sea Salt Coffee (Taiwan/International)

Sea salt coffee blends dark roasted coffee with a small amount of sugar and a pinch of sea salt, either stirred into the brewed coffee or added to the foam of a latte. The salt enhances sweetness and balances bitterness, creating a smoother, more complex cup. Though originally popularized in Taiwan, it has spread globally and is now found on many specialty and casual coffee menus. The key is using just enough salt to elevate flavors without overpowering the coffee.

4. Soft Cheese Coffee (Finland)

In Finland, some coffee drinkers add a spoonful of soft cheese — typically a mild, spreadable variety akin to cream cheese — directly into their black coffee. The cheese melts slightly, creating a richer, creamier mouthfeel. This tradition reportedly began as a practical way to add fat and calories during long winters. While unusual to most coffee drinkers, it has niche popularity in Nordic countries and is considered by some as a comfort drink.

5. Butter Coffee (Singapore)

Butter coffee involves blending brewed hot coffee with unsalted butter and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil — a recipe inspired by bulletproof coffee from the US. The drink is often prepared with a high-powered blender to emulsify the ingredients into a frothy, latte-like consistency. Advocates claim it boosts energy and focus, though such effects are not universally supported by science. In Singapore, this trend caught on among health-conscious consumers looking for an alternative to traditional breakfast drinks.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the most unusual coffee drink in the world?

While ‘unusual’ is subjective, many consider egg coffee from Vietnam — made with whipped egg yolks poured over strong coffee — to be among the most unique due to its dessert-like texture and historical origin as a milk substitute.

Why would anyone put butter in coffee?

Butter coffee, inspired by bulletproof coffee, is believed by some to improve satiety and mental clarity. It combines hot coffee with unsalted butter and MCT oil, creating a creamy drink that’s popular in health-focused circles.

Is salt really added to coffee?

Yes. Sea salt is used in small amounts in some coffee recipes — especially in sweetened or milky drinks — to balance bitterness and enhance sweetness. It’s a growing trend in specialty and casual cafes alike.

Has edible coffee cup coffee caught on widely?

Edible coffee cups, made from grain-based dough and often flavored, are still a novelty. They’re mostly found in independent cafes in the US and parts of Asia, valued for being both biodegradable and fun to eat.

What is soft cheese coffee?

Soft cheese coffee is a Finnish drink where a spoonful of mild, spreadable cheese is stirred into black coffee. It creates a richer mouthfeel and originated as a winter calorie-booster, though it remains a niche regional habit.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Creative Coffee

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for its bright floral and citrus notes — perfect for experimenting with egg coffee or salted brews. Their Yirgacheffe offers juicy berry tones ideal for highlighting contrast in butter or soft cheese coffee. For a richer base, their PWN Golden Mandheling brings heavy body and chocolate depth, balancing the sweetness in sea salt or edible cup pairings. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.