Cafes glossary
Short, plain-English definitions of the terms you'll meet when choosing a cafe provider in Kuala Lumpur.
- What are coffee processing methods?
- Coffee processing methods are post-harvest techniques (washed, natural, and honey) that remove fruit from coffee beans and control fermentation to shape the final flavor profile.
- What are coffee roast levels?
- Coffee roast levels are classifications based on how long and hot beans are roasted, with light, medium, and dark levels each producing different flavor profiles, acidity, and body.
- What is a Basque burnt cheesecake?
- A crustless cheesecake from the Basque region of Spain, baked at high temperature until the top is deeply caramelised and burnt.
- What is a cortado?
- A cortado is an espresso-based drink made with equal parts espresso and steamed milk, creating a balanced strength between a full-strength shot and a milk-forward drink.
- What is a flat white?
- A flat white is an espresso drink made with a double shot of espresso and steamed milk with microfoam, served in a smaller cup than a latte for a more concentrated coffee flavor.
- What is a kopitiam?
- A kopitiam is a traditional Southeast Asian coffee shop, typically Hainanese in style, that combines a coffee counter with multiple independent food hawker stalls and communal seating areas.
- What is brunch?
- Brunch is a meal served late morning (usually 10am to 2pm) that blends breakfast and lunch offerings, commonly featuring eggs, pastries, coffee, and lighter lunch items.
- What is ceremonial grade matcha?
- Ceremonial grade matcha is the highest quality classification of powdered green tea, made from shade-grown leaves and reserved for traditional whisking preparation or premium cafe beverages.
- What is cold brew?
- Cold brew is coffee grounds steeped in cold water for an extended period (typically 12-24 hours) to extract flavor without heat, resulting in a smooth concentrate that differs from iced coffee made by cooling hot-brewed coffee.
- What is croissant lamination?
- Croissant lamination is the process of repeatedly folding butter into dough to create thin, distinct layers that become flaky and crispy when baked, essential for croissants and Danish pastries.
- What is eggs Benedict?
- Eggs Benedict is a brunch dish consisting of poached eggs and creamy hollandaise sauce served on a toasted English muffin, often with ham or Canadian bacon.
- What is espresso?
- A concentrated coffee drink produced by forcing hot water through tightly packed, finely ground coffee at high pressure, resulting in a small, strong shot topped with crema.
- What is Halal certification (JAKIM)?
- JAKIM halal certification is the official Malaysian government credential that verifies a food business, including cafes, complies with Islamic dietary laws and halal standards.
- What is hojicha?
- Hojicha is a Japanese green tea that has been roasted at high temperature, resulting in a low-caffeine brew with a warm, toasted flavour and brown colour.
- What is kopi?
- Kopi is Malaysian coffee brewed from robusta beans roasted with margarine and sugar, commonly served with regional naming conventions like kopi O, kopi C, and kopi peng.
- What is matcha?
- Matcha is a powdered form of shade-grown green tea that is whisked with hot water to create a frothy beverage, originating from Japan.
- What is oolong tea?
- Oolong tea is a traditional Chinese and Taiwanese tea that is partially oxidized, typically between 20 and 80 percent, placing it in flavor profile and color between green and black teas.
- What is pour-over coffee?
- Pour-over coffee is a manual brewing method where hot water is poured by hand through a filter cone or dripper containing coffee grounds, resulting in a filtered cup without immersion.
- What is shakshuka?
- Shakshuka is a Middle Eastern dish of eggs gently poached in a thick, spiced tomato sauce, typically served in the pan with flatbread or toast for dipping.
- What is single origin coffee?
- Single origin coffee is sourced from a specific farm, estate, or geographical region rather than blended from multiple sources, allowing drinkers to trace its provenance and experience its distinct characteristics.
- What is sourdough?
- Sourdough is a bread leavened by wild yeast and lactic acid bacteria in a fermented starter rather than commercial yeast, known for its distinctive sour tang and long fermentation process.
- What is specialty coffee?
- Specialty coffee refers to beans that score 80 points or higher on the Specialty Coffee Association's 100-point quality scale, produced and roasted with attention to origin, processing, and flavour characteristics.
- What is teh tarik?
- Teh tarik is a Malaysian beverage of strong black tea mixed with condensed milk, characterised by a theatrical pouring technique that aerates the drink and produces a distinctive frothy layer.
- What is tiramisu?
- Tiramisu is an Italian no-bake dessert of layered mascarpone cream and coffee-soaked ladyfinger biscuits, finished with cocoa powder.