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Every once in a while, you come across people who never caught the coffee fever and simply don’t fancy a cup of it for one reason or another. If you fall in this category but are a tad curious about the coffee craze, there are a few ways to get your taste buds wet and discover caffeinated joy. Most people don’t necessarily find the taste off-putting but rather the bitter aftertaste of commodity coffee.
When brewed inaccurately, this unpleasant taste might also make you cringe at the thought of consuming it and might be the reason you find yourself infusing flavored syrups, extra cream, or sugar into your cup. Although there’s no harm in that, if you’re going to add any type of sweetener, it should be because you revel in it rather than to fix a bad cuppa Joe.
There’s no denying that freshly-roasted, top-notch coffee presents an entire flavor spectrum with little to no bitterness when brewed properly and, surprisingly, a remarkable range of tasting notes from chocolate and fruit to nuts. With that being said, let’s delve into the best coffee for people who don’t like coffee.
1. Caffe Mocha
It’s a chocolate-flavored version of a Caffe latte. While mocha is the most popular name, some refer to it as mochaccino. The term mocha stems from Mocha, a city in Yemen that was a center for early coffee trades. Mocha has a subtle coffee flavor and tastes more like hot cocoa rather than a cup of coffee. While there are countless mocha variants, the most popular is peppermint mocha that closely mimics the taste of candy cane dipped in chocolate.
You can try out the Organic Decaf Peppermint Mocha Ground from the Bean Coffee Company. It’s the perfect blend of Java Arabica, and Yemen Mocha infused with the rich peppermint flavor that will tantalize your taste buds. As a medium roast coffee, it has a fuller body appearance with minimal acidity to give away the powerful aroma.
The Organic Decaf Peppermint Mocha Ground coffee beans are 100% organic, hand-roasted for optimum freshness, and certified by the USDA and CCOF. They also come packaged in 16-ounce bags. To preserve the flavor and freshness, we recommend storing the coffee in an airtight container away from moisture, light, and heat. Additionally, use one to two tablespoons per 6 ounces of filtered water.
Pros:
- A little goes a long way
- Perfect for non-coffee drinkers to try out
- Tastes more like hot chocolate
- Hand-roasted for optimum freshness and flavor
- 100% organic and certified by the CCOF and USDA
Cons:
- The peppermint flavor might be overpowering for some
The Bean Coffee Company Organic Decaf Peppermint Mocha, Medium Roast, Ground, 16-Ounce Bags (Pack of 2)
2. French Vanilla
It’s crafted by adding a pod of fresh vanilla to the brew. You also have free rein to whisk the cream into your morning cup for a twist. French vanilla is a delectable flavor that infuses profound sweetness to a medium or light roast coffee such as the Green Mountain Coffee Roasters.
It blends well with a boatload of other flavors ranging from hazelnut to caramel, easing you into the java groove. While vanilla is readily available as an artificial flavor, if you yearn for that true aroma, you can go for the real deal.
The SF Bay Coffee French Vanilla is a great option to try. It’s a medium roast that delivers powerful notes of toasted almond and sweet vanilla bean that will have you hooked from the get-go. Made with a blend of artificial and natural flavors, the SF Bay Coffee French Vanilla is designed for use with K cup single server brewers such as the Keurig 2.0 and is made from plant-based materials.
It’s also 100% commercially certified by the BPI. The medium roast is made from certified kosher beans and Arabica coffee.
Pros:
- Freshly ground and packaged fresh
- Commercially certified
- Crafted from a blend of certified kosher beans and 100% Arabica coffee
- Blends well with dairy
- Bold notes of almond and sweet vanilla bean
Cons:
- Contains artificially flavoring that may not appeal to those who prefer 100% natural flavors
San Francisco Bay Coffee OneCUP French Vanilla 80 Ct Flavored Medium Roast Compostable Coffee Pods, K Cup Compatible including Keurig 2.0
3. Caffe Latte
It’s a wholesome coffee made with a generous amount of steamed milk. The term ‘latte’ refers to ‘milk’ in Italian. Therefore, the direct translation of Caffe latte is ‘coffee and milk.’ What classifies a latte as a coffee beverage is the added shot of espresso. It’s an amazing pick-me-up if you find the bitterness of plain espresso off-putting.
A latte is easily distinguishable as it’s typically served in a tall glass with a thick, ½-inch layer of foam at the top. Like mocha, a latte falls into different categories such as a Chai latte, matcha latte, or chocolate latte.
The eGano Premium Quality Ganoderma Cafe Latte is a great product to try out. It comes in 20 sachets of 21g each and is crafted from the perfect blend of Ganoderma and Robusta beans. If you’re not a coffee enthusiast, you can add cream and sugar or sweetener and enjoy a light, creamy latte that will help kick off your day on the right foot.
Pros:
- A light, creamy, and flavorful beverage for non-coffee drinkers
- Adds a kick to your day
- Best suited for those who don’t like the bitterness of the plain espresso
- Available variants to switch things up
- Similar to mocha
Cons:
- Relatively pricey
eGano Premium Quality Ganoderma Cafe Latte (21g x 20 Sachets)
4. Caramel Macchiato
It’s the perfect mix of a shot of espresso, steamed milk, and caramel. A caramel macchiato is a tantalizing brew with the added sweetness of caramel coupled with the fullness of steamed milk that cancels the bitterness of coffee. Although a generic macchiato is characterized by an espresso shot, foam, and hot milk, it can be served as a cold or hot brew with ice for an interesting twist, particularly when the sweltering summers roll around.
The Victor Allen Caramel Macchiato is a great starting point when dipping your toes in the coffee-drinking world. Gluten-free and 100% Kosher-certified, the product is crafted from pure Arabica beans sourced from various regions across the globe. The roast-masters carefully coax out their unique flavors one batch at a time to ensure richer, fresher, and smoother coffee with every cup.
Pros:
- Made from top-grade Arabica beans
- Smooth flavor and rich taste
- Kosher certified
- Smoother flavor that appeals to those who don’t like coffee
Cons:
- Not as thick as a latte
Victor Allen's Coffee Caramel Macchiato, Medium Roast, 80 Count, Single Serve Coffee Pods for Keurig K-Cup Brewers
$32.99
5. Pumpkin Spice
As a staple during fall, pumpkin spice is one of the best coffee flavors for non-coffee drinkers. It’s a complex sweet and spiced flavor popularly topped with whipped cream for an interesting twist. Pumpkin spiced coffee is readily available in nearly all varieties.
However, the best coffee for people who don’t like coffee is a pumpkin spiced latte. It’s a beverage that comprises the conventional spices during the fall, such as nutmeg, cinnamon, and clove, coupled with espresso and steamed milk. While some types include pumpkin puree, it has gained popularity since 2015.
The Dunkin Donuts K-Cups Pumpkin Spice is a great example to try out. It comes in a box of 24 K-cups to use in Keurig Coffee Brewers, giving you value for your money. Furthermore, brewing occurs in the K-cup, meaning no flavor residue will potentially ruin the next cup. The single-serve package also means that wasted pots of coffee or making a mess after brewing is the least of your worries.
Pros:
- Great value for money
- No wasted pots of coffee
- No mess left after brewing
- Spiced and complex addictive pumpkin flavor
- Blends clove, nutmeg, and cinnamon for a spicy treat
Cons:
- Some people find the spiciness and pumpkin flavor overwhelming
Dunkin Donuts K-Cups Pumpkin Spice - Box of 24 Kcups for use in Keurig Coffee Brewers
6. Hazelnut
Granted, hazelnut isn’t an ideal flavor on its own. However, when paired with roasted coffee beans, it’s a match made in heaven. It, therefore, doesn’t come as a shock that hazelnut coffee is a staple in cafes and restaurants across the globe. You can find it in nearly all brews, ranging from black coffee, a latte, and a macchiato. It infuses a nutty sweetness that even the pickiest non-coffee drinker will find appealing.
Seattle’s Best Toasted Hazelnut Medium Roast Ground Coffee is a product you might fall in love with right off the bat. The coffee is uniquely roasted for a smooth taste. The coffee is sweetly aromatic with unforgettable nutty notes of roasted hazelnut, making it a worthwhile purchase.
Additionally, a little goes a long way, so one tablespoon (5 grams) per every 6 ounces (180 ml) of water is all you need to kick off your day. To maintain the rich taste and bold burst of flavor, we recommend using filtered cold water and storing the package in a cool, dark place away from moisture and direct light.
Pros:
- Specially roasted for a smooth, rich taste
- Popular among coffee lovers and non-coffee drinkers alike
- Addictive nutty flavor
- It lacks the off-putting bitter taste
- Long-lasting as a little goes a long way
Cons:
- Not suitable for a Keurig with the reusable pods
Seattle's Best Coffee Toasted Hazelnut Flavored Medium Roast Ground Coffee, 12 Ounce (Pack of 1)
How to Choose the Best Coffee for People Who Don’t Like Coffee
If you’re one of the people who are put off by the bitter taste of coffee, here are a few pointers that will ensure you find the perfect brew for you.
Type of Roast
Aim for a roast in the light to medium range. These are the common terminologies used to describe coffee that’s not too eccentric or pungent, making them a safer bet. A medium roast is ideal because the beans are roasted sufficiently to eliminate any acidity but not excessively to where they become charred. It’s the perfect balance that has the ideal mix of mouth-feel and flavor.
Flavor
A few reasons why some people don’t gravitate towards coffee center on an unpleasant tangy, sour, bitter, or acrid taste. They never got around to the ‘acquired’ part of the taste when drinking coffee. While medium and light roasts stem from any region, the keywords to look for when looking for the best coffee for people who don’t like coffee are bright, nutty, herbal, or chocolaty. Therefore, bold flavors such as caramel, sweet vanilla, almond, cinnamon, and pumpkin, are your best bet. They mask acidity and bitterness of the brewed coffee perfectly.
Conclusion
There’s a wealth of options on the market, such as the brewed coffee options discussed above, to help you fall in love with coffee even though you’re not a fan of the taste and caffeine jitters. Nonetheless, if you’re looking for a healthier way to consume the drink, you might want to skip the steamed milk and flavorings when drinking coffee.
FAQ
Which beverage closely tastes like coffee?
If you’re on the quest for the bold coffee flavor but without the caffeine jitters, a few options that closely mimic the taste of a java coffee bean is chicory root, Maya nut, and dandelion root tea.
Which Starbucks beverage tastes the least like coffee?
The Starbucks mocha tastes the least like coffee. Other alternatives you can try out as a new coffee drink are peppermint, caramel, raspberry, and toffee nut.
What type of coffee has the least bitterness?
Arabica and Robusta are the two categories of coffee plants. Although Arabica is pricier, it’s more flavorful and is typically less bitter.
What about iced coffee or cold brew if I don’t like drinking coffee?
Iced coffee and cold brew aren’t going to be as acidic as other brewed coffee types, which means they will be less bitter. Without the acidic flavor of iced coffee and cold brew, you may find yourself enjoying it more with other flavors.
What is a good coffee substitute?
If you tried the options listed above but still want to find a good coffee substitute, chicory coffee, matcha tea, Chai tea, and Golden Milk are all great options.
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