This is Luckin's latest spin on their coconut latte. It seems very simple, and the only difference is that the coconut is "roasted" compared to the normal coconut latte, so I was very curious to see what the difference was. According to their in-app description, it seems like the coconut flesh is roasted first, before their signature coconut milk is made. It also contains sweet coconut juice, like their normal coconut lattes (which also explains why their coconut milk offerings are somewhat sweeter than their dairy milk drinks which don't have sugar). Once the coconut milk is made, however, the flesh is taken out, so there is no coconut flesh in the drink.
This drink is launched as a part of a special Moomin collaboration, so they had a variety of cup sleeves with cute designs coming in various colours. I got the pink one.
Finally, the in-app description also says that the drink is lactose-free, which is great news for those who are lactose intolerant.
There was a very prominent sweet and vanilla-like nutty coconut flavour that was not present in the usual coconut latte. It resembled the sweet and fragrant nutty notes found in hazelnut or pistachio-flavoured coffee drinks that use syrup. And overall, the coconut flavour resembled that of the coconut used in nonya cakes and other Southeast Asian coconut-based desserts. For those, there is usually some pandan extracts from fresh leaves used to flavour the coconut milk, so I'm not sure if all of this flavour came directly from the roasted coconut flesh, or if they enhanced it with other flavourings.
The dark coffee sat nicely over the coconut fragrance, like a dark toffee or gula melaka (palm sugar) flavour.
There were no toasty burnt notes that I noted in either the coffee or the coconut milk, however, which was a bit of a pity because I was expecting it from the "roasted" drink name, and I thought it would have paired well with the toffee-like coffee and the sweet nutty fragrance of the coconut milk.
The sweetness level was still a tad too sweet for me (despite getting the "least sweet" option as usual), but it is already less sweet than their Pandan Coconut Latte. And since the fragrant nutty coconut notes are somewhat similar to pandan, I think this is a good substitute for their pandan coconut latte if you prefer your drinks less sweet.
Overall, it is a good enhancement over their coconut latte as the coconut fragrance was much more prominent, such that it came across as a solidly flavoured latte, and was reminiscent of coconut-based Southeast Asian desserts. In that sense, it should not be thought of as a neutral latte with a coconut-based milk substitute. I personally found it so interesting how roasting the coconut flesh before producing the milk could result in such a different gastronomical experience.
Finally, here are some pictures of the cup sleeve design for viewing pleasure (click to enlarge). I found the quote at the back quite cute, even though I don't know the significance of it with respect to the Moomin series.
Discover other coconut coffees and treats
- (mentioned) Pandan Coconut Latte by Luckin Coffee
- Blue-Ming Coconut Latte by Luckin Coffee
- Pulut Hitam Latte by Sinpopo
- Coconut Milk Mocha
- Pulut Hitam Cake by Pine Garden
- Yam Red Date and Coconut Gula Melaka Mooncakes from Yong Sheng
- Chendol Panna Cotta
- Kaya Pistachio Cookies by Yakun
Other drinks with related flavours (sweet nutty or pandan)
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