Ipoh White Coffee: The Story Of The Famous Malaysian Drink

Ipoh white coffee was recently named one of the top coffees in the world!

Ipoh white coffee was recently named one of the best coffees in the world by Taste Atlas, an impressive distinction for such a regionally specific brew. Naturally, I immediately wanted to know more about this unique Malaysian drink.

What makes Ipoh white coffee so special? Where does it fit in the pantheon of Southeast Asian coffee drinks? And what does it taste like? I’ll bring you those answers and more in this quick guide.

What Is Ipoh White Coffee?

Ipoh white coffee comes from the town of Ipoh, Malaysia, which lies in the state of Perak. Not only is the coffee itself award-winning, but Lonely Planet named Ipoh one of the world’s top coffee destinations (1)!

The flavor is so unique that many foreigners believe there is a specific Malaysian white coffee bean, but this is not the case. Traditionally, Ipoh white coffee was made using a secret blend of locally grown green coffee beans – Arabica, Robusta, and Liberica. That tradition continues in some shops today, while others add imported beans to the mix.

Once roasted, ground, and brewed, the coffee is usually served with sweetened condensed milk. This is what gives it the white color of its name.

Ipoh White Coffee History

Ipoh white coffee was born out of the need to bridge a cultural divide to do business (2). In the early twentieth century, Perak was a booming tin-mining state, and many companies set up shop in the capital, Ipoh.

Networking with these companies required Hainanese immigrants to schmooze with the wealthy Westerners, which meant drinking their coffee. But the Western coffee needed a bit of tweaking to fit local palates.

This led to the special coffee blend and slow-roasting technique. The addition of sweetened condensed milk is credited to a particular Hainanese chef, Wong Poh Ting, who was the first to put “Ipoh White Coffee” on his menu. Amazingly, his coffee shop (or kopitiam in the local language) is still in operation in Ipoh today!

The term “white coffee” is a bit of a misnomer because the color of the brewed coffee isn’t white. Its name comes from the literal translation of the Chinese phrase used to describe it, in which the “white” part refers to the milk. 

How Is Ipoh White Coffee Made?

Ipoh white coffee starts by slowly roasting coffee beans to a medium level – usually an Arabica and Robusta blend – in palm oil margarine. The beans are brewed using any filter coffee method. In Malaysia, it’s often a simple pour-over setup with a cloth filter, which gives it a heavier body than a paper-filtered coffee.

Sweetened condensed milk is added after brewing, with some cafes adding evaporated milk or margarine to impart their own touch. Ipoh white coffee can be served hot or over ice.

Sometimes Ipoh white coffee is prepared using a technique called pulling, which involves pouring the drink from one glass to another from a height. Pulling demonstrates the server’s skill, thoroughly blends the ingredients, and imparts a lovely frothy texture.

Can You Make Ipoh White Coffee At Home?

It’s difficult to make Ipoh white coffee at home unless you’re keen to try your hand at home roasting, and even then, sourcing the correct green coffee blend is challenging. If you want to get a sense of the flavor profile, many Malaysian brands offer instant versions of the famous brew, which combine coffee, whitener, and sugar.

The best way to sample the real deal is to visit Ipoh. There are dozens of fantastic kopitiams serving white coffee, including Wong Poh Ting’s original, Kedai Kopi Sin Yoon Loong.

Is international travel not in the budget? Don’t worry! We have lots of recipes for Southeast Asian coffee drinks you can make at home, including Vietnamese Iced Coffee (aka cafe sua da), Kopi Sanger, Thai Iced Coffee, and Black Tie Coffee.

What Does Ipoh White Coffee Taste Like?

Ipoh white coffee is very smooth, with an intense caramelized flavor and just a hint of smoky bitterness. It has a full body and a very creamy mouthfeel. Depending on the amount of condensed milk added, it can be very sweet – and usually is in Malaysia.

Final Thoughts

Ipoh white coffee is a delicious buttery and sweet drink that deserves its place among the world’s top coffees. If you’re lucky enough to visit Perak, you’ll find it’s the perfect treat to accompany the steamy weather and local culinary specialties, like curry mee and nasi lemak. 

Have you tried Ipoh white coffee? Let me know in the comments below. I’d love to hear about your experience!