Introduction:Did you know cilantro can be used in coffee? In Beitou, Taiwan, a small shop called Pei Alley Coffee has been serving cilantro lattes and cilantro café au laits since 2020, quickly becoming a local hot topic. This article takes an in-depth look at how this community café creatively blends cilantro with classic coffee drinks—from the use of cilantro powder, to flavor layers, to signature desserts—giving you a full understanding of these uniquely flavored beverages and offering practical tasting suggestions.
Who would’ve thought that the “coffee with cilantro” joke from Guo Degang’s crosstalk skits would actually come to life in Beitou, Taiwan—and become a signature feature of a local café? Tucked away in a small alley on Guangfu Road in Beitou Town, Pei Alley Coffee has been a humble, neighborhood-friendly spot since its founding in 2017. Its regular patrons were mostly locals, and it focused on serving freshly ground coffee and light snacks, living a quiet and steady life.
However, an innovative move in 2020 completely changed the fate of this shop. At that time, the shop manager Zhuang Junsheng decided to launch two never-before-seen new drinks—the cilantro café au lait and cilantro latte—which quickly sparked online discussions and attracted food enthusiasts from far and wide, making the place bustling every weekend.
Zhuang Junsheng explained that Beitou is not just a quiet little town, but also one of Taiwan’s main cilantro-producing areas. Statistics show that about 80% of Taiwan’s cilantro comes from here, so locals even jokingly refer to cilantro as “Taiwanese matcha.” Initially, Pei Alley Coffee only offered regular coffee and desserts until one day, the Beitou Cilantro Production Cooperative came to promote their homemade cilantro powder. That’s when Zhuang Junsheng had a flash of inspiration and decided to incorporate cilantro into drink creations.
He further explained that the idea was also inspired by an experience on a variety show, where even entertainers who normally wouldn’t touch cilantro were willing to try drinks with it. That convinced him that the combination of cilantro and beverages had potential. And so, the cilantro café au lait and cilantro latte were born and became the café’s signature drinks.
So, what does this famously unique cilantro coffee actually taste like? According to many media outlets and customer feedback, the scent of cilantro is quite prominent in the drink, but amazingly, it doesn’t clash with the coffee or milk. Instead, it adds a refreshing and surprisingly layered taste. The flavor of cilantro is clearly discernible upon the first sip, but it’s not just a plain “vegetable taste.” Instead, when blended with the aroma of coffee, it forms a unique aftertaste that is refreshing and pleasant.
Regarding the preparation method, the staff revealed that it’s actually not complicated: the cilantro powder is first mixed with water or milk, then combined with the coffee and milk foam or whipped cream, and finally topped with a sprinkle of cilantro powder for added flavor. The shop also advises customers to stir the drink well before drinking to evenly distribute the cilantro flavor. Additionally, they provide basic drinking tips to help first-timers get the hang of it more quickly.
In addition to the wildly popular cilantro latte and cilantro café au lait, Pei Alley Coffee has also launched a series of creative cilantro-themed desserts, including cilantro raw chocolate, cilantro cream pineapple buns, cilantro dirty buns, cilantro pineapple cakes, and even an extreme challenge drink made with 100% cilantro juice—“Cilantro Demon”—perfect for die-hard cilantro fans to enjoy all in one go.
Of course, this little shop isn’t limited to just its cilantro series. It still offers a variety of classic coffees, whether pour over or espresso, all with consistent quality. Non-coffee drinkers can also choose from a selection of teas. Moreover, the shop sells locally produced coffee beans as well as Beitou’s unique cilantro powder, allowing customers to take some home for their own creations.
It’s worth mentioning that Pei Alley Coffee’s storefront is rather unassuming, looking much like any other takeout coffee shop, but once you step inside, you’ll find cute figurines and decorations placed throughout, creating a relaxed, playful, and leisurely atmosphere. It’s the perfect place to enjoy creative drinks while also savoring a pleasant, slow-paced moment.
In summary, if you’re planning a trip to Beitou, besides trying the area’s famous rice ball and cabbage rice dishes, don’t miss out on this uniquely local cilantro coffee. Especially for those who love to explore new flavors and are open to unconventional flavor combinations, Pei Alley Coffee’s cilantro series is definitely worth a try—and might just give you a whole new perspective on cilantro.
The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.
