What Is Hazelnut Coffee and How Is It Made?

When you see menu items like ‘hazelnut coffee’ or ‘French vanilla,’ it’s easy to assume they’re exotic coffee types from far-off places. But if you’ve ever ordered one and ended up with something that tastes more like dessert than espresso, you’re not alone. Many coffee drinkers wonder: what exactly is in these drinks, and how are they different from regular coffee?

Hazelnut coffee and French vanilla coffee are both flavored lattes. They start with a shot of ristretto espresso—about 15–20ml—and around 200ml of steamed milk. The only difference is the syrup: hazelnut flavoring for hazelnut coffee, and French vanilla syrup for the other. That’s it.

What Defines Hazelnut and French Vanilla Coffee?

These drinks are not coffee varieties or brewing methods. They are prepared like standard lattes but with added flavored syrups. The base is always a small amount of ristretto espresso—15–20ml—and roughly 200ml of textured or steamed milk. Hazelnut coffee gets its flavor from hazelnut syrup, while French vanilla uses a vanilla-based syrup. Neither requires special coffee beans or complex techniques.

The Truth About White Coffee

The article also mentions white coffee, claiming it’s only produced in Malaysia. Unlike traditional black coffee, which is roasted with caramelization and Maillard reactions that develop bold, sometimes bitter flavors, white coffee is roasted at lower temperatures and without added sugar. This produces a lighter, smoother cup with less bitterness, acidity, and perceived strength. Proponents say it’s easier on the stomach, has lower caffeine impact, and offers a cleaner taste. However, white coffee as described here refers specifically to a low-heat, no-sugar roast style, not a beverage type like a latte.

Black Coffee vs. White Coffee: Roast Differences

Standard black coffee is typically made from beans roasted using high heat, often involving significant Maillard reactions and caramelization. This yields familiar flavors like roastiness, acidity, bitterness, and caramel or chocolate notes—but can also introduce harshness. White coffee, by contrast, is roasted at lower temperatures and avoids adding burnt or caramelized sugars. The result is a milder, less acidic cup that some describe as smoother and easier to digest. The article claims this method reduces risks like stomach irritation or caffeine jitters, though these effects vary by individual.

Flavored Syrups in Coffee Drinks

Both hazelnut and French vanilla coffee rely on flavored syrups to define their taste profiles. These syrups are added after the espresso and milk have been prepared. A standard shot of ristretto (15–20ml) is used, then mixed with around 200ml of steamed milk. The syrup—either hazelnut or French vanilla—is added afterward, often in amounts determined by the coffee shop’s recipe. This is why these drinks taste sweet and dessert-like: the flavor comes entirely from the syrup, not the coffee beans or roast style.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is hazelnut coffee?

Hazelnut coffee is a flavored latte made with a ristretto espresso shot (15–20ml) and about 200ml of steamed milk, with hazelnut-flavored syrup added for taste. It is not a type of coffee bean or a unique brewing method, but a sweetened latte variation.

What is French vanilla coffee?

French vanilla coffee is also a flavored latte, made the same way as hazelnut coffee—with a ristretto espresso (15–20ml) and around 200ml of steamed milk—but uses French vanilla syrup instead of hazelnut. The result is a vanilla-forward sweetened coffee drink.

How is white coffee different from regular black coffee?

White coffee is roasted at lower temperatures without added sugar, resulting in a lighter, smoother, and less bitter cup compared to traditional black coffee, which is roasted at higher heat with Maillard reactions that create bold, sometimes harsh flavors. The article claims white coffee is easier on the stomach and has lower caffeine impact.

Do you need special beans for hazelnut or French vanilla coffee?

No, you do not need special coffee beans to make hazelnut or French vanilla coffee. These drinks use a standard ristretto espresso base (15–20ml) and steamed milk (around 200ml), with flavor coming entirely from added syrups.

Is white coffee a type of drink or a roast style?

In the context of this article, white coffee refers to a roast style—low-temperature roasting without added sugar—rather than a specific beverage. It results in a smoother, less acidic coffee compared to standard black coffee.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Light & Mild Coffee

For coffee drinkers curious about smoother, less intense roasts like those used in white coffee, try FrontStreet’s 2013 Yunnan Typica. This medium-roast single origin features balanced flavours of nuts, chocolate, and tea—ideal for exploring gentler profiles. Alternatively, the Lintong Mandheling offers herbal depth with low acidity when roasted medium-dark, showcasing spice, toast, and caramel notes. Both are excellent for appreciating subtlety in coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.