What's Going On With This Scallion Latte Trend?
TikTok is no stranger to users experimenting with the latest culinary trends. Occasionally, there are some real winners — like mixing apple juice and tequila – but more often, these wacky new conceptions are simply a means of soliciting engagement on social media. One of the latest trends features people sampling scallion lattes and posting their reactions to the bizarre bevs; one TikTok creator/Australian coffee roaster shared step-by-step instructions on how to create the drink as well as some feedback on its taste.
@goldenbrown.coffee We're trying to viral spring onion coffee to see if it's worth the hype 😅 #springonion #springonioncoffee #greenonioncoffee #icedlatte #viraldrinks
As you can see from the video, the concoction is a straightforward latte with green onions mixed in, and the poster's response to sipping it is one of revulsion. Other individuals have posted similar videos on TikTok and elsewhere and the scallion latte has drawn an equally offended reception from those folks as well. However, though it may seem like just another gag trend floating around, there is a method behind the madness of the controversial beverage.
The scallion latte features unique flavors and textures
Thought to have first come about in China, the proposed appeal of the scallion latte is it can mellow the bitterness of espresso by adding sweet notes and a slight bite. With the green onions, the drink also boasts contrasting textures — similar to a boba tea from Starbucks, but with a crunch instead of popping bubbles. In the video, he makes an important note about adding the scallions by calling attention to the fact that only the green ends should be used to make the beverage. The white part of a green onion has an intense, oniony bite and is more fibrous than the other end, which would be a noticeably different experience when sipping it from a latte.
The problem with the scallion latte is nobody was really asking for crunch in their coffee. Crunch separately, via a scone or a biscotti, is delightful and frequently appreciated, but it's not surprising that when something crispy blended into the drink, most are not impressed by the conflicting composition. The supposed refreshment has elicited so many appalled reactions online that some think the whole idea is a hoax.
Is the scallion latte a joke?
One store that sells the controversial scallion latte is Young Coffee & Tea, based out of Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. The shop initially intended for the drink to be a farce, but eventually they decided to sell the unique beverage. Various coffee shops took notice, and in early April, some posted their own iterations of the scallion latte ... early April meaning April 1.
The comment sections on these April Fools Day posts are teeming with folks pleading with others to tell them the drink isn't real, with others cleverly pointing out the date they were uploaded. While some stores are selling the beverage and many are giving it a shot at home, this viral coffee trend has failed to garner many fans. It appears far more likely that the scallion latte was a prank rather than a genuine way to level up a latte, but it did succeed in embedding itself into the history of online trends.