Seven Strangest Coffees You Can Drink Around the World

Ever wondered what coffee made from animal poop tastes like? Or whether flaming cocktails disguised as coffee drinks are real? Coffee culture spans far beyond your daily espresso or pour-over. Around the globe, people have created wildly unique coffee beverages—some beloved, others bizarre—that challenge everything you think you know about drinking coffee.

Yes, the world’s strangest coffees include everything from Indonesian cat poop coffee to edible coffee cups in Los Angeles. We’re counting down the seven most unusual coffee drinks you can actually try—from Vietnam’s rich egg coffee to Finland’s cheese-topped brew.

1. Indonesia | Kopi Luwak (Civet Coffee)

Kopi Luwak, also known colloquially as “cat poop coffee,” hails from Indonesia and is one of the most expensive coffees in the world. The name comes from the Indonesian words “kopi” (coffee) and “luwak” (a local tree-dwelling animal, similar to a civet). This coffee is made from beans that have been eaten, fermented in the animal’s gut, and excreted. The beans are then collected, cleaned, and roasted. Proponents claim the process reduces bitterness and adds a unique flavor. But be warned: a single cup can cost around $30.

2. Vietnam | Egg Coffee

Vietnam, the world’s second-largest coffee exporter, is known for strong black coffee—but it’s also home to egg coffee, a dessert-like drink especially popular in Hanoi. This unconventional beverage is made by whipping egg yolks with sweetened condensed milk until thick and creamy, then pouring brewed dark coffee over the top. The result resembles a coffee-flavored custard. Despite the initial hesitation many feel toward raw eggs, this rich, velvety drink has become a staple in Vietnamese coffee culture.

3. Singapore | Butter Coffee (Bulletproof-Style)

Butter coffee, sometimes dubbed “bulletproof coffee” in Singapore, swaps traditional milk for a mix of fats. The recipe calls for 1–2 tablespoons of unsalted plant butter and 1–2 tablespoons of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil (coconut oil can be used instead), blended into hot coffee. With around 460 calories per serving, this high-fat drink is said to suppress appetite, aid in weight loss, and boost mental clarity. It’s certainly rich—and polarizing.

4. Philippines | Flame-Thrown Coffee (Flaming Cocktail Coffee)

The Philippines offers a dramatic coffee experience: flame waterfall coffee. This theatrical drink involves adding liquors such as Tequila and Kahlua to coffee, igniting the mixture, and pouring it dramatically between containers to mimic a cascading waterfall of fire. It’s a stunt best left to professionals—you’re advised to order it at a bar or restaurant rather than attempting it at home.

5. Taiwan | Sea Salt Coffee

Originating in Taiwan, sea salt coffee (also called “sea salt foam coffee”) is a variation on the classic cappuccino. Instead of mixing steamed milk with espresso, this version blends milk with a small amount of sea salt to create a salty foam topping. The drink is poured undisturbed, so the first sip is salty foam, followed by hot espresso, then a blend of both. The contrast of salty, bitter, and sweet makes it a layered experience.

6. Finland | Cheese Coffee

In Finland, cheese coffee is a warming winter tradition. A slice of round, roughly 3 cm thick cheese is lightly grilled until slightly browned, cut into bite-sized pieces, and dropped into a cup. Black coffee is then poured over the cheese. While unusual to many, this combination is considered comforting in Finland’s cold climate. The result is a savory-sweet coffee experience unlike any other.

7. USA | Edible Coffee Cone

In Los Angeles, coffee meets dessert with the invention of the edible coffee cup. At Alfred Coffee & Kitchen, coffee is served in a cup made from chocolate-covered biscuit or cookie dough. Once you finish the drink, you can eat the container. It’s a fun, Instagram-worthy way to enjoy coffee and dessert in one go.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kopi Luwak and why is it so expensive?

Kopi Luwak is coffee made from beans that have passed through the digestive system of the Asian palm civet, a tree-dwelling animal in Indonesia. The fermentation process in the civet’s gut is said to reduce bitterness and enhance flavor. Due to the unusual production method and limited supply, it can cost around $30 per cup, making it one of the most expensive coffees in the world.

Is egg coffee safe to drink?

Yes, egg coffee is safe to drink. Popular in Vietnam, it’s made with raw egg yolks whipped with sweetened condensed milk, then poured over strong black coffee. Though it uses uncooked eggs, the whipping process cooks the yolks slightly, and it has become a well-loved drink in Hanoi and beyond.

What is butter coffee and what are its benefits?

Butter coffee, also called bulletproof coffee in Singapore, is made by blending black coffee with 1–2 tablespoons each of unsalted plant butter and medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. It contains around 460 calories and is said to reduce hunger, support weight loss, and improve mental focus, though these effects vary by individual.

How is flame waterfall coffee made?

Flame waterfall coffee is made by mixing coffee with liquors like Tequila and Kahlua, igniting the liquid, and pouring it between containers to create a flaming waterfall effect. It’s a showy drink usually prepared by professional bartenders in the Philippines and not recommended for home preparation.

What makes sea salt coffee different from regular cappuccino?

Sea salt coffee is a Taiwanese drink that layers salted milk foam over espresso. Unlike a regular cappuccino, the foam contains a small amount of sea salt, creating a contrast of flavors. The drink is served undisturbed so you taste the salty foam first, then the coffee, and finally the blend of both.

Why would anyone put cheese in coffee?

In Finland, a slice of grilled cheese is placed in a cup and covered with hot black coffee. The tradition likely started as a way to add warmth and richness during cold winters. The cheese softens and creates a savory contrast to the bitterness of the coffee.

Can you really eat the coffee cup?

Yes, at Alfred Coffee & Kitchen in Los Angeles, coffee is served in edible cups made from chocolate-covered biscuits or cookie dough. After finishing the drink, customers can eat the container, combining dessert and caffeine in one experience.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Unique Brew Experiments

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for floral complexity, perfect for experimenting with egg coffee or salted foams. Their PWN Golden Mandheling offers low acidity and heavy body—ideal for bold butter coffee blends. For a fruit-forward twist, their Kenya Little Tomato brings bright acidity that contrasts nicely in unconventional brews. All are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.