A local coffee shop on Chunxi Road in Chengdu recently drew long lines of customers, who flocked there to try its signature “spicy coffee”. Since its launch, the drink has been selling hundreds or even thousands of cups a day.

 

 

“It sounds like a horrible fusion but turns out to be surprisingly agreeable to drink,” a customer commented. “It is distinctly Chengdu in flavor.”

 

Xu Hailun, the product development manager for the coffee, shared that the spicy coffee was born from a desire to “break the stereotype that coffee is limited to sour, sweet, and bitter flavors, and to create a brew that truly captures the essence of Chengdu”.

 

In addition to the spicy coffee, other Sichuan-flavored varieties, such as broad bean paste coffee, garlic coffee, and green Sichuan pepper coffee, have gained popularity in Chengdu.

 

 

With the unusual combination of the rich savor of broad bean paste, or doubanjiang, and the smooth aroma of coffee, broad bean paste coffee has quickly become a trend. It brings Pixian broad bean paste out of the kitchen and into young people’s daily lives while offering new possibilities to the time-honored condiment brand.

 

In Guangfu Village, Ande Sub-District, Pidu District, a local coffee shop has made broad bean paste coffee its signature. Using the fermentation techniques of Pixian broad bean paste to bring out unique flavors in coffee beans, the shop has won over countless fans.

 

In Gaoshan Village, Wenjiang District, Chengdu, the fusion of coffee and the local specialty Hongqixing garlic has given rise to the uniquely flavored “garlic coffee”. The drink has maintained strong popularity since its launch and sells 200 cups a day and over 70,000 cups a year on average. It has significantly enhanced the brand value of Gaoshan Village’s Hongqixing garlic.

 

At the top-floor café in Chengdu Museum, “Green Sichuan Pepper Americano” has gained considerable popularity. Green Sichuan pepper, cold-brewed to deliver a refreshing, slightly numbing taste, balances the mellow aroma of coffee, creating a layered flavor profile.

 

Why not try a cup of uniquely Sichuan-flavored coffee and enjoy a novel taste experience?

 

Edited by Zhang Yuanlin

Source: Home in Chengdu