If you want to know what does cascara latte taste like this is the article for you! The taste is amazing, and is very different from regular coffee.
Let’s get straight to it!
What Does Cascara Latte Taste Like?
Table Of Contents
A cascara latte has neat, nice maple and dark brown sugar flavor. It’s subtly sweet and when you look at the drink, with the sprinkling of cascara sugar, it has the appearance of a coffee bean.
The coffee flavor is light, and is barely present due to both the milk and cascara syrup that is used to flavor the latte. If you want a stronger coffee flavor, either order an extra shot of espresso or request that it is made with a double ristretto instead.
It is not at all that common for cascara to be used to make coffee drink, more common by far is its use as a herbal tea as the flavor is more compatible.
On its own, the flavor is tangy, zesty and will probably remind you of a cider with orange zest and hibiscus with notes of dried fruit, specifically apricots and raisins with curious undertones of caramel.
The flavor of a cascara latte is unique and like no other coffee.
The flavor comes from steeping the dried fruit skins and husks in hot water, which extracts their natural flavors and sugars.
Read: Cascara latte nutrition facts
How Does Cascara Latte Compare To Regular Coffee?
When comparing a cascara latte to a regular coffee, you will notice a complex flavor that is both sweet, fruity and with subtle caramel notes when it is perfectly brewed.
The cascara cherry brings a unique flavor that makes it stand out from regular coffee drinks.
The coffee brewing method also plays its part due to an espresso imparting a stronger and bolder flavor.
A cascara latte has some healthy advantages over a regular coffee due to the cascara cherries being high in antioxidants which help to repair cellular damage.
What Is Cascara?
Perhaps, I’ve jumped ahead a little, and you are a little unsure what cascara is. It’s the outer skin, the shell of a coffee cherry.
The name is derived from the Spanish language and unfortunately the cascara is a waste product of the coffee industry and is left to rot and waste.
Some smarter and eco-friendly coffee farmers make use of the cascara and use it as compost or add to their compost pile to help reduce their use of chemical fertilizers.
Very few save this part of the coffee fruit and only use the coffee beans as there is very little demand commercially for cascara to be used.
Read: Cascara coconut milk latte
Cascara latte Starbucks
A cascara latte at Starbucks is a tasty beverage and is made with espresso, steamed coconut milk and cascara syrup.
The steamed coconut milk is used in an espresso to milk ratio of 1:2.
The cascara syrup is made with cane sugar, coconut sugar and a cascara extract and is very easy to make.
Cascara Syrup Recipe
Making your own cascara syrup is easy and follows the same process as making regular flavored simple syrup.
All that you need is water, sugar and cascara husks.
Add a cup of water and a cup of sugar to a small saucepan and mix well together until your sugar is fully dissolved. Add two tablespoons of cascara husks and stir well. Gently heat your water at a low temperature and stir well while your solution is heating.
Be careful not to let your sugar burn. Let your water, sugar and cascara solution simmer for 5 minutes to extract the flavor.
When ready, let your syrup cool naturally to room temperature. Take a taste test, to test if the flavor is hitting the spot for you.
If it is, and the flavor is perfect for you, filter out the cascara using a cheesecloth.
If the flavor is not quite there, simply leave your solution to extract more flavor. Check after a few hours.
When it is ready, filter the cascara from your syrup and store it in an airtight glass bottle.
You can use this syrup for pancakes, coffee, cocktails and more.
Frequently Asked Questions About What Does Cascara Latte Taste Like?
What Does Cascara Taste Like?
Cascara has a flavor that reminds you of orange zest, hibiscus and cider. It’s zesty, tangy and very refreshing and sweet. Rich notes of dried fruit, namely apricots and raisins.
What Is Starbucks Cascara?
Starbucks cascara is a variety of coffee beverages including a latte, and cold brew cold foam that is flavored using their cascara syrup.
Does Cascara Taste Like Coffee?
Despite being part of the coffee plant, it does not taste like coffee at all. Even when you make a cascara tea with there is no taste at all of coffee.
Instead,
there is a flavor that is fruity, sweet, with notes of red currant, cherry, mango and hibiscus. It’s a very tasty and refreshing drink.
Read: Cascara latte
What Is In A Cascara Latte Starbucks?
The cascara latte at Starbucks is an espresso with twice as much steamed milk, smoked butterscotch sauce and a sprinkle of smoky butterscotch topping.
I’ve seen this often ordered with coconut milk.
Does Cascara Have More Caffeine Than Coffee?
Cascara has less caffeine than coffee. A typical cup of cascara tea has only 25 mg of caffeine while a coffee has 75 mg of caffeine.
What Are The Benefits Of Cascara Drink?
A cascara drink, a coffee cherry tea is a genuine superfood that is high in polyphenols and has the potential for boosting your immune system.
Does Cascara Taste Good?
Yes, I absolutely recommend trying it. It’s tasty, refreshing and very enjoyable, especially on a hot day.
It is one of these types of drinks you won’t really notice it until you try it on a really hot day, and then you will notice the flavors really pop.
Is Cascara A Coffee Or Tea?
This is a difficult one to answer accurately. It comes from the coffee plant and is the outer shell of the coffee cherry, and thus it is accurate to be called a coffee. Since it is made with the dried fruit and made as a tea, calling it a tea is also accurate.
Due to the flavor and lack of coffee flavor, it sits better for me to call it a tea.
Final Thoughts – What Does Cascara Latte Taste Like?
Knowing what does cascara latte taste like ensures that you are not in any surprise at all and know exactly what to expect when you order it or make it yourself.
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Derek Marshall
Derek Marshall, a certified barista by the Specialty Coffee Association possesses over two decades of experience in specialty coffee shops. He holds professional certifications for coffee brewing and barista skills. Derek is also an author with authoritative books covering various coffee topics including specialty coffee, sustainability and coffee, coffee brewing, coffee recipes, coffee cocktails and books focusing on Brazilian coffee, Vietnamese coffee, Indonesian coffee and Malaysian coffee. As a barista for over two decades, Derek Marshall has worked in specialty coffee shops across the United Kingdom, Spain, Thailand, Malaysia, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam. His expertise extends to the distinct coffee cultures, specialty beverages, and brewing techniques of each nation. Functioning as a coffee consultant, Derek charges US$50 per hour. To learn more about Derek Marshall and Latte Love Brew, visit his About Me Page. For coffee inquiries, contact him at +34-639-410-375 or Derek@LatteLoveBrew.com, mentioning your name and location
