How to Pair Coffee with Food

When you combine the right flavors, your favorite foods will perfectly complement what’s in your cup. Suddenly, your coffee could taste smoother. Sweeter. Richer, perhaps. Every pairing is unique and has the potential to take your at-home coffee experience to new heights.

Coffees on the light end of our roast spectrum tend to be more expressive, like your favorite fruit or citrus. These include the mellow and soft Starbucks^® Veranda Blend^® and the rich and lively Breakfast Blend. Some of our coffees, in the middle of our roast range, can vary in taste but tend to fall in the nutty and cocoa flavor category. These include the smooth and balanced Pike Place^® Roast as well as House Blend with underlying notes of cocoa and toffee. When it comes to the darker roast end of our spectrum, we can find a broad range of flavor categories, from herbal and spicy to a darker cocoa and caramel taste. These include our complex and spicy Sumatra as well as Espresso Roast with notes of molasses and caramelized sugar.

Of course, these six coffees only scratch the surface of the Starbucks^® coffees you can brew at home with Starbucks^®. Thanks to their unique tastes, each coffee pairs well with different types of food or snacks. To help you navigate the world of coffee and food pairings, Starbucks chef Stefano Cordova is here to offer some simple ideas to help bring your cup to life. 

TOASTED BRIOCHE WITH FRESH AVOCADO

Avocado gives the coffee a more robust mouthfeel, making this light roast suddenly taste more full-bodied.

MADELEINE COOKIE

These buttery, sugary cookies balance the coffee’s acidity, making it so smooth you can skip the cream and sugar.

BUTTER CROISSANT

The butter from the croissant softens the brightness of the coffee for a noticeably fuller and smoother effect.

BUFFALO MOZZARELLA CAPRESE SALAD WITH BALSAMIC GLAZE

The mozzarella softens the rich flavor of the coffee while the balsamic glaze contrasts it, creating a unique sweetness.

GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH

The cheese and bread act like cream and sugar in the coffee, making it deliciously smooth and easy to drink.

CREAMY TOMATO SOUP WITH BLACK PEPPER PARMESAN CRISP

The tanginess of the tomato mellows the coffee, allowing for an easier drinking experience.

CHOCOLATE TRUFFLE

Chocolate is a great complement to this coffee. They balance each other nicely for a smooth, seamless taste. 

MUSHROOM AND BACON QUICHE

This usually rich, deep roast becomes creamy and sweet like a latte when enjoyed with this quiche.

TOASTED BRIOCHE WITH HAZELNUT SPREAD

Brioche and hazelnut spread bring out the bright pop in this roast without exaggerating its bitterness, for bold flavor without the bite.