Introduction:Did you know that the Spanish Latte wasn’t actually invented in Spain? The true origin of cold brew coffee might also surprise you. This article unveils several fascinating coffee trivia from around the world, including the real prototype of the Spanish Latte, the historical connection between cold drip and cold brew, and the misunderstanding behind the name “Arabica.” After reading this, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of coffee’s history and culture.

The world of coffee is full of many interesting trivia. Some names sound like they’re specialties of a certain place, but they actually aren’t from there. For example, the “Spanish Latte” sounds like a classic Spanish coffee, but it’s not actually a native drink in Spain. Also, cold brew coffee is often thought to be a Japanese invention, but its origins can actually be traced back to the Dutch during the Age of Exploration. And the name “Arabica”? It sounds related to Arabia, but it actually stems from a misunderstanding—the true birthplace is Ethiopia. Let’s uncover the truth behind these coffee trivia.

The Spanish Latte Didn’t Originate in Spain

When many people hear the name “Spanish Latte,” they might naturally assume it’s a classic coffee drink from Spain. However, in reality, this beverage isn’t found on the menus of Spanish cafés. The Spanish Latte is actually a signature product of the well-known chain brand %Arabica, made with espresso, milk, and condensed milk. Its name includes “Spanish,” which leads people to mistakenly think it’s a specialty coffee from Spain.

If you walk into a café in Spain and ask if they have a Spanish Latte, most baristas will likely be confused because this drink isn’t common in Spain. However, Spain does have a similar drink called “Café Bombón” (candy coffee), which is made with espresso and condensed milk—no milk added—and shares some similarities with the Spanish Latte. Therefore, some speculate that the Spanish Latte may have been adapted from Café Bombón.

The Mystery of Where Cold Brew and Cold Drip Were Invented

Cold drip coffee is often mistaken as the origin of cold brew, but it’s actually just one form of cold brew. Cold drip involves using special equipment to let ice water slowly drip through coffee grounds for extraction. Because this equipment was first developed in Japan, it’s also called “Kyoto coffee.” However, the true inventor of cold brew coffee is the Dutch, not the Japanese.

In the West, cold brew coffee is referred to as “Dutch Coffee,” a name that directly indicates its Dutch origins. It’s said that this brewing method dates back to the Age of Exploration, when Dutch traders, while voyaging to Batavia (modern-day Jakarta) in Indonesia for trade, accidentally discovered a way to brew coffee using ice water while at sea. The coffee brewed this way had a sweeter taste and lower bitterness, quite different from the freshly ground coffee of the time. As Dutch trade expanded, this brewing method spread to other regions, including Japan during the Edo period.

The Japanese further refined this cold brewing method and eventually invented the cold drip kettle—an apparatus based on ice water extraction that made the production of cold brew coffee more refined and stable. So, although the cold drip kettle is a Japanese invention, the cold brew method itself did not originate in Japan but was first created by the Dutch.

The Misunderstanding Behind the Name “Arabica”

Arabica coffee (Coffea arabica) is one of the most common coffee varieties in the world, but its name actually comes from a misunderstanding. Arabica coffee originally thrived in Yemen and spread to Europe and the rest of the world via the port of Mocha in Yemen. Because the sacks of coffee beans were labeled with Yemeni markings, people in Western countries long believed the beans originated in Yemen.

Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus, when writing his “Species Plantarum,” based on this misconception, named this small-seeded coffee “Coffea arabica L.,” where “arabica” refers to Arabia. However, the true origin of Arabica coffee is Ethiopia, the African country across from the port of Mocha. Had Linnaeus known this at the time, he might have named it “Ethiopian coffee.”

Despite the incorrect name, the naming of Arabica coffee became a beautiful misunderstanding. As some coffee experts have said, although the name isn’t accurate, it has sparked even more curiosity and a desire to explore this particular coffee variety.

The above content is compiled by CoffeeHunters, a coffee news website.