A good dessert next to a good coffee is a bit like mathematics: when the pair is right, the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts. Here are five desserts that dance beautifully with coffee.
Coffee & Food
A good dessert next to a good coffee is a bit like mathematics: when the pair is right, the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts. Here are five desserts that dance beautifully with coffee.
Some desserts both complete a coffee and are lifted by it without losing their own character. It is not quite as detailed as a sommelier's food-and-wine pairing, but the coffee world does need to strike a fine balance between dessert and cup. An overly sweet dessert will erase a light filter coffee; equally, a very intense espresso can trample a delicate dessert. In the right match, each lifts the other. Here are five classic and successful pairings.
1. Espresso and Tiramisu — Perhaps the classic of coffee-and-dessert pairings. Tiramisu already contains coffee; but a fresh espresso alongside it cuts through and balances the richness of the mascarpone layers. The bitterness of the espresso and the sweet, creamy character of the tiramisu push against each other and complete each other at the same time. After dinner, this pair is the heart of Italian dining.
2. Cappuccino and Croissant — 'Petit déjeuner' in France, 'colazione' in Italy — the croissant and cappuccino are the most graceful pair of the morning table. The buttery, layered crispness of a croissant balances beautifully with the milky, espresso-based character of a cappuccino. The milk foam softens the butter; the mildly sweet-salty texture of the pastry sharpens the coffee's aroma. The most elegant version of a morning ritual.
3. Filter Coffee and Chocolate Cake — The clarity and medium body of a filter coffee pair wonderfully with dark chocolate cake. Especially with an Ethiopian or Kenyan filter carrying fruity notes, chocolate cake reveals the hidden kinship between fruit and cacao. The darker the chocolate, the lighter and brighter the coffee should be — contrast is the secret of beauty here.
4. Turkish Coffee and Turkish Delight — This pairing is a tradition inscribed by UNESCO as cultural heritage. The dark, intense and slightly bitter character of Turkish coffee balances perfectly with the sweet and yielding texture of Turkish delight. Classic rose or lemon flavours are preferred. A sip of coffee, a piece of delight — then again. This rhythm is the essence of a culture of patience and pleasure stretching from the Ottoman era to today.
5. Cold Brew and Cheesecake — The most elegant pairing of the summer months. The low acidity and natural sweetness of cold brew form a lovely whole with the creamy, slightly tangy character of cheesecake. Especially with a cheesecake topped with fresh raspberries or strawberries, iced cold brew makes for one of the most refreshing experiences of a warm afternoon.
In Numerica's portfolio you can find a coffee for every dessert. No.41 for espresso, Kenya single origin for filter, Brazil blend for cold brew — all dance beautifully with sweets. Next time you buy coffee, think of a dessert too; the two together can be much more than the sum.
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