From the intricate art of cappuccino to the plain morning cup of coffee, drinking coffee is a globally recognized pastime.
A 2022 study by Landwer Café found that nearly 70% of Israelis drink an average of one to three cups of coffee a day.
As the world recovers from the pandemic, more and more people are turning to coffee again, according to the National Coffee Association.
In Tel Aviv, coffee culture has taken the city by storm. On any given day, stroll down Dizengoff Street and you’ll see locals and tourists alike enjoying their daily caffeine fix at one of the city’s many charming coffee shops.
But coffee has evolved. With unique flavor combinations, endless milk alternatives, cool foams, superfood lattes, fascinating additions, and Starbucks’ eminent pumpkin latte, it’s not just about the coffee bean anymore.
Oatmeal Latte with Caramel
The presentation was lovely once the drink was served, however we quickly discovered that when we stirred the drink, the cinnamon sprinkle on top did not mix well, giving the drink an unpleasant, grainy texture.
The drink also had a rather overpowering oat flavor that drowned out any possible caramel flavor. While we usually love Café Xoho’s offerings, next time we’d skip the drink and go for the regular iced latte (NIS 18), which was done to perfection.
Tiger boba tea
Next, we ventured into the wide world of boba, a popular tea-based drink that originated in Taiwan.
Tea Bar is a chain of bubble tea joints that started around the corner from the Dizengoff Fountain, gaining popularity for its aesthetically pleasing drinks and creatively flavored boba teas.
We tried two fan-favorite drinks: Tiger Boba tea and matcha milk tea.
Tiger boba tea (NIS 27), filled with swirls of caramel, was thickly sweet. A sip could satisfy your daily sugar intake. This drink is a blend of black milk tea, caramel and cream with a decadent crème brûlée. Beneath the creamy drink, the black tapioca balls had an irresistibly supple texture and delicious taste.
Latte matcha
As newcomers to the world of matcha, we were excited to try Tea Bar’s matcha milk tea (NIS 27) with cream, crème brûlée and tapioca balls. We’re elated to report that the drink lived up to our expectations and left us wanting more as we took our final sips.
The matcha flavour was intense and massive, earthy, but the generous amount of cream and the crème brûlée topping balanced it out perfectly.
The texture was silky and silky, and the cool tea was exactly what we needed on a balmy summer day in Tel Aviv. We will definitely be back for the matcha milk tea, and dare we say it, we may even become matcha converts.
Lotus Latte
We ended our coffee tour at Jera, an aromatic café located next to Rabin Square. The Lotus latte (23 NIS), modeled after the crunchy Lotus Biscoff cookies, was the highlight of our coffee experience in Tel Aviv.
The steaming drink was topped with a sweet layer of creamy foam, which was decorated with a sprinkle of cinnamon and sugar. The cozy Lotus latte was like a sultry hug on a cool winter’s day.
Unfortunately, summer in Tel Aviv and balmy coffee don’t go together, so Jera couldn’t offer this drink in an iced form.
Pumpkin Spice Latte (PSL)
The advantage of this drink was the charming swan pattern made of milk foam and a pleasant, creamy consistency.
As for flavor, the pumpkin was incredibly overpowering and left no room for spice. With a veggie flavor, this drink needed some sedate cinnamon and sugar.
Instead, opt for Jera’s Lotus latte and save your PSL cravings for your time in America.
