Cascara Latte

The Cascara Latte is a delightful and innovative alcohol-free coffee drink that utilizes the often-discarded part of the coffee fruit: the cherry skin, or cascara. When steeped like tea, cascara releases wonderfully sweet and fruity flavors reminiscent of hibiscus, rosehip, cherry, and raisin. This "coffee cherry tea" concentrate is then combined with perfectly steamed and frothed milk to create a smooth, creamy latte. It offers a gentle, complex flavor profile that serves as a fantastic alternative to traditional coffee or tea.
Cascara Latte

Preparation

Preparation time: 10 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Cascara Latte is best categorized as a modern coffee drink, as it's a contemporary cafe-style preparation. Although its base ingredient, cascara, has historical roots, the latte format is a recent innovation. It is also classified as a general hot beverage, suitable for those seeking a warm, non-alcoholic option.

Serving

Serve this hot, completely non-alcoholic drink in a standard 8-10 ounce latte mug or a heat-proof glass to appreciate its color. Pre-warming the mug helps maintain the drink's temperature for longer enjoyment.
Serving size
240-300 ml / 8-10 oz
Alcohol content
0% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Hot
Glass type
Latte mug
Glass treatment
Pre-warmed mug (optional)

Backstory

While the latte format is a modern creation popularized in third-wave coffee shops, the use of cascara itself is ancient. For centuries, coffee farmers in countries like Ethiopia and Yemen have brewed the dried coffee cherries to create a nourishing beverage. In Yemen, this brew is called qishr and is often spiced with ginger and cinnamon. The Cascara Latte represents a global fusion, taking this traditional ingredient and presenting it in a familiar, comforting format.
Origin
The base ingredient, cascara, originates from coffee-growing regions like Yemen, Ethiopia, and parts of Latin America, with a history spanning centuries. The latte preparation, however, is a recent development from the 21st-century specialty coffee movement in North America and Europe, with no single point of origin.

Cascara Latte

This drink is primarily known as a Cascara Latte. Cascara is Spanish for "husk," referring to the dried skin of the coffee cherry used to make the base tea. It's also known as a Coffee Cherry Tea Latte for clarity. The name Qishr Latte is an adaptation of qishr, a traditional Yemeni drink made with coffee husks, ginger, and cinnamon.
Original name
Cascara Latte
Alternative names
  • Coffee Cherry Tea Latte
  • Qishr Latte

Characteristics overview

The Cascara Latte has a smooth, creamy texture with a dominant sweet and fruity flavor profile, balanced by a slight tartness. Its aroma is of dried fruit and herbs, leading to a clean, pleasant aftertaste without any bitterness or fizziness.
Flavor
Fruity, Sweet, Earthy, Cherry, Raisin, Hibiscus, Honeyed
Aroma
Dried fruit, Sweet, Herbal, Cherry, Tobacco leaf
Taste balance
Sweet, Slightly tart
Aftertaste
Clean, Sweet, Lingering fruitiness
Fizziness
Still
Color appearance
Reddish-brown, Amber, Opaque with milk, Creamy top
Texture
Smooth, Creamy, Velvety
Seasonality
Warming, All-season, Cozy, Autumnal

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is defined by its high fruitiness and creaminess, with moderate sweetness and very low tartness. It is completely non-alcoholic, non-bitter, and still, making for a smooth and gentle drinking experience.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You will need dried cascara (coffee cherry husks), hot water, and milk of your choice. An optional sweetener like honey or maple syrup can be added to enhance the natural sweetness.
  • Dried Cascara (Coffee Cherry Husks)15-20 grams
    The key ingredient. Quality varies, so use cascara from a reputable coffee roaster for the best flavor.
  • Hot Water120 ml / 4 oz
    Use water just off the boil, around 93-96°C (200-205°F).
  • Milk120-180 ml / 4-6 oz
    Whole milk froths well. For a dairy-free version, oat milk is an excellent creamy substitute.
  • Honey or Maple Syrup1-2 teaspoons(optional)
    Adjust to taste. The cascara is naturally sweet, so you may not need much.

Ice type

  • None

Mixing equipments

Basic equipment includes a kettle to heat water, a steeping vessel like a French press, and a milk frother to create the latte texture. A fine-mesh strainer can also be used for steeping.
  • Kettle or saucepan for heating water.
  • French press, teapot, or tea infuser for steeping the cascara.
  • Milk frother or steam wand for the milk.

Instructions

The process involves steeping dried cascara in hot water to create a strong tea concentrate, then combining it with freshly steamed and frothed milk. Sweeten to taste before adding milk and serve hot.
1. Heat 120 ml (4 oz) of water to just below boiling, approximately 93-96°C (200-205°F).
2. Place 15-20 grams of dried cascara into a French press or teapot. Pour the hot water over it.
3. Let the cascara steep for 5-7 minutes. The longer it steeps, the stronger the flavor will be.
4. While the cascara is steeping, gently heat and froth 120-180 ml (4-6 oz) of your chosen milk until it's velvety and has a layer of microfoam.
5. Strain the steeped cascara tea concentrate into your serving mug. Stir in honey or maple syrup now, if using.
6. Gently pour the steamed milk into the mug over the cascara tea. You can attempt latte art if you like.
7. Garnish with a sprinkle of cinnamon or nutmeg if desired, and serve immediately.

Garnishing

Garnishing is optional, but a light dusting of cinnamon or nutmeg on top of the foam complements the fruity notes of the cascara beautifully.
  • A sprinkle of ground cinnamon or nutmeg to add aromatic warmth.

Dietary Information

This drink is alcohol-free but contains a small amount of caffeine (about a quarter of regular coffee). It is naturally gluten-free and egg-free, and can easily be made vegan and dairy-free by substituting dairy milk with a plant-based alternative like oat or almond milk.
✕ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✕ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✕ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

This drink is moderately low in calories, with most coming from the milk and any added sweetener. The sugar content is primarily from the natural sugars in milk (lactose) and the sweetener used.
Calories
averagely 120-180 kcal / 502-753 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
averagely 15-25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
averagely 12-22 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This versatile drink is perfect as a gentle morning starter for those who want less caffeine than coffee. It's an excellent choice for a cozy afternoon break or a soothing, warm beverage in the evening. Its unique character also makes it a great option when meeting friends at a cafe.
  • Morning coffee alternative
  • Cozy afternoon break
  • Relaxing evening beverage
  • Cafe meet-up

Pairing suggestions

The fruity and sweet notes of the Cascara Latte pair wonderfully with light pastries and baked goods. It complements buttery croissants, crunchy biscotti, or scones, making it an excellent companion for a breakfast or afternoon snack.
  • Buttery croissants
  • Almond biscotti
  • Scones with jam
  • Fruit tarts

Cascara Latte: A Sip of the Coffee Cherry

The Cascara Latte is a unique and sophisticated alcohol-free beverage that stands out in the world of coffee drinks. By using the dried cherry husk of the coffee plant, it offers a sustainable and flavorful alternative with notes of cherry, hibiscus, and raisin. Combined with creamy steamed milk, it becomes a comforting, smooth, and satisfying hot drink. It's an ideal choice for anyone looking to explore new flavors beyond traditional coffee and tea, offering a low-caffeine, warming experience.

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