Make something crazy and wacky and odds are I will try it.
I read about the unusual fruit coffees at Not As Bitter and thought “I would definitely try those.” It must have been somewhere in the back of my subconscious, because I just randomly wandered down East 10th Street. Durian coffee was not part of my daily plan, but I caught the eye of this place. It looked like a clandestine cocktail bar, but it was open in the morning. I soon realized it must have been fate.
The menu here is comprised of both regular coffee and unexpected coffee drinks with fruits like hawthorn berries and papaya, It was hard to choose. But the most exotic and buzzed about was the latte made with durian.
For those who do not know, durian is a fruit from Southeast Asia that is known as the stinky fruit that some compare to the scent of onions or dirty socks. Sounds delicious, yes?
I’ve had durian in drinks and desserts before and actually like the pungent sweetness. On certain summer days, you can also smell it along Canal Street where the fruit vendors hang out and I have to say there is something comforting and familiar about it.
Here, the latte is mixed with fresh durian purée and coconut milk. You can alter your level of sweetness and so I decided to stick to the lowest amount since the durian itself should conceivably add some sweetness.
Most of the fruit ended up at the bottom of the drink so it was important to stir and get that large straw working. The coffee was nice and toasty with the milk adding a cooling sweetness. The durian was really unique in the coffee and I enjoyed the potent notes that played foil to the nutty, bitter coffee. If I had a complaint, it actually was that I thought there should have been more durian.
Perhaps it’s toned down a bit for those who are not accustomed to it. I definitely got some hits of it on certain sips, but I would have like a bit more durian flavor.
That being said, this was very balanced and original. These fruit lattes are a trend in China and I’m excited to see them here. Just like cheese tea blew me away a few years ago, I’m wondering if fruit coffee will be the next big thing in NYC. Price: $8.50
| NOT AS BITTER |
| 241 East 10th Street (between First and Second Avenue), East Village (646) 939-3129 |
| notasbitter.com |
