As China’s coffee industry continues to expand, independent and chain cafes are coming up with increasingly creative coffee flavors, often blending with local specialties to attract out-of-towners. We’ve already seen the octopus and stinky tofu latte, the fiery chili pepper coffee, and Maotai liquor’s viral latte collaboration with Luckin Coffee (lots of mixed reviews there…). While the flavors are gimmicky and downright bizarre, these concoctions have been eagerly welcomed by coffee lovers who are up for the challenge.
Are they up for this challenge, though? The latest addition to China’s lineup of funky coffee flavors is snake, this time coming from Togo Coffee in Hangzhou, the capital city of Zhejiang, a coastal province with a rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural sceneries.
Recently, Togo introduced two snake-themed beverages, a latte called “Bai Suzhen,” named after a character from Legend of the White Snake, one of China’s Four Great Folktales, and the “Trimeresurus,” an Americano named after the venomous green viper native to Asia.
What makes them so sss-special, you ask? Well, both drinks feature a piece of edible dried snake coiled in the cup. Reportedly, it tastes just like fried grasshopper – crispy and savory, with a meaty aftertaste (now we just need to see if grasshopper tastes like chicken).
The “Trimeresurus” americano comes in a bamboo shoot container. It combines a shot of espresso with Oldenlandia water – a carbonated mineral water infused with Oldenlandia diffusa herbs – also known as Snake-Needle Grass water – which is definitely refreshing enough to help you slither through a hot day in Hangzhou.
Togo also introduced a vinegar fish latte, inspired by the classic Hangzhou dish of West Lake Fish in Vinegar Gravy. Unfortunately for the adventurous eaters, it doesn’t contain any actual fish. Instead, the latte is topped with apple cider vinegar and a liangfen jelly base to mimic the fish. Priced at 44 RMB ($6 USD), the combo also includes a fish-shaped mousse with mocha syrup to represent dark vinegar.
Over the years, Togo Coffee has gained a reputation for its unconventional and viral drinks, such as the Shaoxing wine latte, the East China Sea fish jerky mocha, and the Anji White tea latte.
At Togo, a cup of coffee is more than just a drink, it is a coffee experience with a unique local twist. The shop’s founder, Lin Gaojian, shared in an interview, “Our purpose is to explore local flavors…we don’t pursue novelty for the sake of gimmicks, we just hope to leave a consistent brand impression on our customers.”
Cover image via RedNote.
