Pairing Coffee with Food: Combinations to Elevate Your Experience

The Art of Pairing Coffee with Food

Have you ever experimented with pairing different types of food and coffees together? Coffee and food pairings can be a way to elevate the experience of both. Especially when experimenting with specialty coffee, you can see how different origins, processing methods, and preparation methods can yield drastically different flavour profiles and complement or contrast certain flavours in food, enhancing the tasting experience. I dug into some combinations below that I personally love. Have a read and let me know which ones you’ve tried!

Breakfast Pairings: Energize Your Morning

Ahhh, breakfast with coffee… Coffee with breakfast. Could there be a more iconic pairing? I typically have my coffee an hour or so before breakfast but when I have them both together, I can never go wrong with these pairings.

• Pairing 1: Cappuccino + Buttery Croissant
• Why it works: The buttery, flaky texture of a croissant pairs beautifully with the richness and body of the strong cappuccino. The coffee cuts through the butteriness of the pastry, while the croissant enhances the coffee’s subtle sweetness.
• Recommendation: A cappuccino made with a single-origin espresso from Brazil, known for its nutty and chocolatey notes, which blend well with a buttery pastry. Try Mood’s Signature Blend – Blissful from Brazil.
• Pairing 2: Classic Filter Coffee + Avocado Toast
• Why it works: The smooth and delicate nature of a filter coffee complements the richness of the avocado, while the bold coffee flavour adds a contrast to the toast’s savoury toppings.
• Recommendation: A light or medium roast filter coffee from Central America, which typically has notes of nuts and mild fruits.

Midday Brunch Pairings: A Weekend Indulgence

Brunch is a time to indulge, and coffee plays an essential role in balancing these dishes.

• Pairing 1: Iced Latte + Eggs Benedict
• Why it works: The smooth, refreshing nature of an iced latte complements the richness of the Hollandaise sauce. The cold beverage balances out the heaviness of the dish.
• Recommendation: An iced latte with a single-origin espresso from Guatemala, known for its citrus and floral undertones, like Mood’s Whimsical Single Origin Coffee Beans.
• Pairing 2: Aeropress + Pancakes with Maple Syrup
• Why it works: The intensity of a strong Aeropress coffee balances the sweetness of pancakes and maple syrup. The coffee’s bold flavour provides a necessary contrast to the sugary dish, making each bite more satisfying.
• Recommendation: A dark roast coffee which often has deep, earthy flavours that match the richness of syrup. Try Mood’s Signature Blend – Aloof which is our darkest roast from Colombia and ticks all the boxes.

Afternoon Snack Pairings: A Perfect Pick-Me-Up

My afternoons usually involve a caffeinated beverage and a Chocolate Chip Cookie. But sometimes I like to try something a bit more fun!

• Pairing 1: Cortado + Dark Chocolate
• Why it works: The bold, concentrated flavour of a cortado (espresso with a small amount of micro-foam) contrasts beautifully with the richness and slight bitterness of dark chocolate. The coffee enhances the chocolate’s complexity.
• Recommendation: A cortado made with a lighter roast espresso with strong fruity notes to bring out the floral flavours of the chocolate.
• Pairing 2: Flat White + Almond Biscotti
• Why it works: The crisp, nutty flavours of almond biscotti are a perfect match for the rich, smooth flavours of a flat white. Dunk the biscotti into your beverage for an extra treat – the biscotti will take on the coffee flavours and soften the cookie a bit in the process.
• Recommendation: A flat white made from an Ethiopian coffee which has bright citrus and floral notes, like Mood’s Single Origin Coffee – Perky!

Dessert Pairings: Sweet Endings with Coffee

Coffee and dessert are a classic pairing, and certain brews can bring out the best in your favorite sweets.

• Pairing 1: Affogato (Espresso + Vanilla Gelato)
• Why it works: This classic Italian dessert pairs a shot of hot espresso with a scoop of vanilla gelato, creating a heavenly combination of hot and cold, bitter and sweet.
• Recommendation: A medium roast espresso, which provides enough strength to contrast the sweetness of the gelato without overpowering it.
• Pairing 2: Decaf Drip Coffee + Chocolate Cake
• Why it works: A light and clean tasting decaf coffee complements a rich chocolate cake, enhancing the dessert’s flavours and bringing out maximum chocolate notes.
• Recommendation: A decaf drip coffee from Colombia or Mexico, which often has natural cocoa notes that will pair beautifully with chocolate desserts. Try Mood’s Decaf Blend – Mellow!

Elevating Your Coffee Experience with Food

There are no strict rules when it comes to your coffee and food pairings—just the joy of discovering what works for your own taste buds. I encourage you to experiment and find new ways to enjoy coffee and food together. Specialty coffee, with its complex flavour profiles, can elevate any meal, from breakfast to dessert. Try pairing Mood Artisan Coffee with your favourite foods and experience how coffee can transform a meal into something truly special.

Do you have a favourite food and coffee pairing? Let me know in the comments below!