7 Strangest Coffees in the World You’ve Probably Never Tried

You've tried cold brew, you've conquered pour-over, maybe even mastered the siphon. But have you dared to take a sip of coffee made with butter, eaten with a spoon, or flambéed tableside? If regular caffeine just isn't cutting it anymore, there's a whole world of wild, wacky, and strangely delicious coffee creations waiting to surprise your palate. These aren’t your average latte art experiments — they’re cultural oddities, culinary stunts, and in some cases, legitimate specialty traditions.

Yes, five out of the seven strangest coffees in the world come from Asia. That’s right: coffee takes on bizarre new forms once it leaves its usual borders. Here’s the full rundown of the globe’s weirdest cups.

1. Indonesia | Kopi Luwak (Civet Coffee)

This is the one they call “cat poop coffee,” and yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like. Kopi Luwak hails from Indonesia, where the Asian palm civet (locally called a luwak) eats ripe coffee cherries. The beans ferment in the animal’s digestive tract, where proteins are broken down, then are excreted, cleaned, and roasted. The result? A famously smooth cup said to have reduced bitterness and a unique aroma. But it comes at a cost — around $30 per cup. Luxury weirdness at its finest.

2. Vietnam | Egg Coffee

Vietnam may be the world’s second-largest coffee exporter and a black coffee stronghold, but it also gave us one of the richest non-espresso coffee drinks around: egg coffee. Popular in Hanoi, this drink blends sweetened condensed milk with a whisked egg yolk until it becomes thick and custardy. Then hot black coffee is poured on top. The result tastes like coffee-flavored crème brûlée. And yes — it uses raw egg. If you're not squeamish, it's a decadent treat.

3. Singapore | Butter Coffee (Bulletproof-Style)

Think coffee, but make it a high-fat energy drink. In Singapore, butter coffee — also known as bulletproof coffee — is a mix of brewed coffee blended with 1–2 tablespoons of unsalted plant butter and 1–2 tablespoons of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil (coconut oil is sometimes swapped). This 460+ calorie drink is said to suppress appetite, aid weight loss, and “sharply boost cognitive function.” Tasty? Debatable. Functional? That’s up for discussion.

4. Philippines | Flame-Flipped Coffee (Flaming Waterfall Coffee)

This theatrical drink mixes tequila and Kahlúa with hot coffee, sets it ablaze, and pours it dramatically between vessels to mimic a flaming waterfall. It’s part cocktail, part coffee, and 100% showmanship. Best left to trained bartenders in Filipino restaurants — don’t try this one at home unless you enjoy fire hazards. It’s more about the performance than the flavor, but it sure is memorable.

5. Taiwan | Sea Salt Coffee

Originating from a Taiwanese café, sea salt coffee is a cappuccino-like drink with a twist: instead of cocoa or cinnamon on top, it features a salty foam made by whipping milk with a pinch of sea salt. The drink is served unstirred, so you first taste the salty foam, then the coffee, and finally the blend of both. It’s a three-part flavor journey — salty, bitter, rich — and a cult favorite in East Asia.

6. Finland | Cheese Coffee

In freezing Finland, locals warm up with a slice of cheese in their coffee. The traditional version involves a roughly 3cm-thick round of cheese, lightly toasted until golden, cut into bite-sized pieces, and dropped into a cup of black coffee. Yes, you eat the cheese alongside the brew. It’s savory, creamy, and surprisingly comforting — though definitely an acquired taste. Ideal for cold climates and curious palates.

7. USA | Edible Cup Coffee (Sweet Cone Coffee)

Los Angeles coffee shop Alfred Coffee & Kitchen serves coffee in a chocolate-coated cookie cup. Once you finish the drink, you eat the container. It’s coffee meets dessert, with the added bonus of zero cleanup. While not bizarre in flavor, it’s certainly strange in execution — a novelty that blurs the line between beverage and snack. Perfect for Instagram, and surprisingly satisfying.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Kopi Luwak and why is it so expensive?

Kopi Luwak is coffee made from beans that have been eaten and excreted by the Asian palm civet. The fermentation process in the animal’s gut is said to reduce bitterness and enhance aroma. The rarity, labor-intensive collection, and novelty factor drive the price up to around $30 per cup.

Is egg coffee safe to drink?

Yes, egg coffee — particularly the Vietnamese version — is safe when prepared properly. It uses raw egg yolk whisked with sweetened condensed milk, then poured over hot black coffee. The heat cooks the egg slightly, resulting in a rich, custard-like drink. Just ensure fresh eggs are used.

What’s in butter coffee and does it have benefits?

Butter coffee typically includes brewed coffee, unsalted butter, and MCT oil. It’s high in calories and fat, with claims of suppressing appetite and improving mental clarity. However, these benefits are not scientifically proven and it remains a controversial health trend.

How is sea salt coffee different from regular cappuccino?

Sea salt coffee is similar to a cappuccino but is topped with a whipped milk foam that contains sea salt. Unlike traditional cappuccinos, it’s not stirred, so you experience layers of flavor: salty foam, then bitter coffee, and finally the blend. It originated in Taiwan and has a distinct sweet-salty profile.

Why would anyone put cheese in coffee?

Cheese coffee comes from Finland, where a small piece of lightly toasted cheese is dropped into black coffee. The cheese adds a savory note that complements the bitterness, creating a warming, hearty drink ideal for cold climates. It’s a traditional Finnish comfort drink with a very unusual twist.

Can you really eat the coffee cup?

Yes, at Alfred Coffee & Kitchen in Los Angeles, they serve coffee in edible chocolate-coated cookie cups. Once the drink is finished, the cup itself can be eaten. It’s a novelty item combining dessert and beverage, with no cup to throw away afterward.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Unique Coffee Experiences

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Humbera for floral, fruity complexity, or their PWN Golden Mandheling for deep body and low acidity — both shine in creative brews. For something creamy, their Classic Blend offers balanced sweetness ideal for milk drinks like sea salt or egg-style coffee. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.