(Above) Black Phin Coffee Bar’s signature coffee drink is the Cà Phê Sũa Dá, which translates to, “Vietnamese Coffee.” What makes Vietnamese coffee different from typical coffee is that it comes with sweetened condensed milk instead of regular milk, and they use a phin drip method. This is a traditional Vietnamese way of brewing coffee. They offer cold foams with Asian flavors such as ube, egg foam, Pandan, sea salt, and coconut to add flavor to their drinks.
Orlando’s coffee culture goes beyond the typical chain coffee staples such as Starbucks, with its unique flavors, aesthetics, and events that attract locals. Near the Mills 50 district, there is a community of Asian markets, restaurants, and coffee shops that are bringing their culture into their coffee. Coffee shops such as Haan, which, according to Haan’s website, “Represents a search for identity and an homage to our Korean roots,” are dedicated to celebrating their heritage through crafted beverages and food. Haan partnered with GDP Design Build to create a space that is attuned to Korean architectural traditions. This is just one example of how Orlando’s coffee shops aim to be unique by blending their culture and coffee. Black Phin Coffee Bar is bringing Vietnamese-style coffee to Orlando using traditional phin drip methods, while also providing a large third space for people to enjoy their coffee and do work. Koko Kakigori Cafe is a hidden pop-up shop that was known for its kakigori (snow cone), which has just recently opened its cafe selections, ranging from Vietnamese coffee, tea selections, and fruit refreshers, to their chills, which are slushy concoctions. Their chills are inspired by a mix of Southeast Asian and East Asian dessert traditions. Chills have components such as sago, which are small, chewy pearls used in desserts in Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, and Southern China. These coffee shops are offering the public more than just a caffeinated beverage; they are offering a glimpse into cultural identities through technique, quality, and flavor.
(Above) Black Phin Coffee Bar has, arguably, the largest seating area out of any other coffee shop in Orlando. This space is perfect for enjoying lunch, as they offer pastries along with three sandwiches: Beef Jaew Sandwich, Viet Breakfast Sandwich, and the Eggplant Sandwich. Due to the large space, Black Phin is great for working, eating, and enjoying a beverage. (Savannah Fondo)(Above) Haan celebrates Korean coffee culture with drinks such as Seoul-style iced coffee and their SJ Iced Latte that are based on traditional Korean drinks. The Seoul-iced coffee is reminiscent of a drink made in Korean Dabangs, which are coffee houses or tea rooms, when they are short on coffee. They make the latte using a little amount of coffee, sugar, and milk or half and half. The SJ Iced Latte is similar to a Sujeonggwa, a Korean dessert punch, served at celebrations such as birthdays. The latte takes on the flavor profiles of that drink, using milk and espresso instead of punch. (Savannah Fondo)(Above) One of Haan’s signature coffees is the SJ Iced Latte that can also be ordered hot. This latte has a cinnamon flavor, which makes it perfect on a cold day or base for a cold foam. (Savannah Fondo)(Above) Haan offers a limited selection of pastries that differ from the typical coffee shop food items. They sell croffles, which are croissant waffles and Korean-style bread, along with cookies and cake. (Savannah Fondo)(Above) Individual, smaller coffee shops often offer products that are locally made. Koko Kakigori sells ceramic pottery and other trinkets in addition to their merchandise. (Savannah Fondo)(Above) In addition to the permanent Matcha selections, Koko Kakigori has two seasonal matchas with cream tops, which are the Honey Matcha and Ube White Chocolate. The starfruit lemonade is also seasonal. (Savannah Fondo)(Above) Koko Kakigori, being a pop-up cafe, does not function as a typical coffee shop. To accomodate, they provide table service to outdoor seating which is a business strategy. (Savannah Fondo)
Savannah Fondo is a Senior at Lake Highland Preparatory School. She has been on the Twice-Told Tale staff for four years and is now entering her second year of holding the title Director of Media, which means she is in charge of putting all of the publication’s content onto the Twice-Told Tale website. Savannah balances hobbies such as listening to music, spending time with friends and family, shopping, seeing live music, taking photography, and reading with her school work. Savannah’s goals for her last year in the newspaper is to be proud of every piece she writes and to put a lot of time and effort into each one.
