When Coffee Starts to Smell Like Dessert
Coffee habits are changing in small but noticeable ways. Beyond choosing how strong or how dark a brew should be, many people are now drawn to flavours that feel familiar and comforting. Scents commonly associated with home kitchens and dessert tables are making their way into everyday drinks, blurring the line between a functional pick-me-up and a moment of indulgence. In this context, coffee is no longer just about staying awake, it has become part of how people slow down, even briefly, during the day.
Against this backdrop, Malaysian white coffee brand OLDTOWN has introduced its Pandan Flavoured White Coffee, bringing the gentle aroma of pandan into its signature white coffee profile. The drink comes in an instant format and stays true to what white coffee is known for: a smooth, creamy base that is easy to drink. The addition of pandan adds a light sweetness and a soft herbal note, creating a flavour that works just as naturally served hot as it does over ice.
What makes the pairing feel intuitive is how familiar pandan already is in everyday Malaysian food culture. Often linked to desserts, kuih, and comforting homemade treats, pandan carries a sense of nostalgia rather than novelty. Folding that aroma into coffee feels less like a bold experiment and more like a natural extension of existing taste memories, something recognisable, yet slightly different from the usual cup.
Seen more broadly, this reflects a gentle shift in how coffee fits into daily life. Convenience still matters, but there is growing attention on how a drink feels, smells, and fits into different moments of the day. By leaning into a local flavour and keeping the format accessible, this approach places coffee not just as a source of energy, but as part of a wider lifestyle rhythm.
Whether pandan-flavoured coffee becomes a long-term habit remains to be seen. But its arrival points to a larger movement toward softer, more familiar flavours, ones that prioritise comfort as much as function. In many ways, when coffee starts to smell like dessert, it reflects a desire for everyday moments that feel just a little more relaxed.
Source: OLDTOWN White Coffee Malaysia
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