Move Over Oat Milk: Tahini Lattes Might Be 2025’s Hottest Coffee Trend
If you’re the kind of person who likes to spice up your morning brew with a little adventure, get ready for the next big thing in coffee culture: tahini lattes.
Yes, tahini—as in the rich, nutty sesame seed paste you’ve likely had drizzled over hummus or stirred into a savory sauce—is finding a new home in your coffee cup. According to fresh data from Yelp, interest in tahini coffee and tahini latte is spiking, and Google Trends reports a jaw-dropping 452% increase in search volume for the term “tahini latte.” If 2024 was the year of mushroom coffee and ube cold brew, 2025 looks poised to crown this sesame superstar as the next non-dairy darling.
What Is Tahini, Anyway?
Tahini is a creamy, silky paste made from stone-ground sesame seeds. It’s long been a staple in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cooking, especially in dishes like hummus, baba ghanoush, and halva. But its uniquely earthy, slightly bitter flavor profile is starting to appeal to the café crowd—not just as a savory component but as a bold, nutty twist on your daily caffeine ritual.
What makes it so compelling in coffee? Think of it as a richer, more complex cousin to almond butter, with a smooth texture that blends beautifully into warm milk or espresso. It adds body, nuttiness, and a subtle roasted edge—perfect for those looking for something new, yet comforting.
Why the Sudden Surge?
There are a few reasons tahini might be having a moment.
1. Flavor Adventurism: Coffee lovers have become more curious and open-minded in recent years, dabbling in matcha, turmeric, and everything from lavender to charcoal. Tahini fits right into this category of bold experimentation, offering something completely different that still feels “natural.”
2. Plant-Based Appeal: As more people lean into dairy alternatives, tahini offers a new kind of richness without animal products. It’s naturally vegan, gluten-free, and packed with healthy fats, calcium, and protein.
3. Cultural Crossover: We’ve seen global flavors like cardamom, rose water, and black sesame enter the coffee scene—tahini is a natural evolution of that cross-cultural interest.
What Does a Tahini Latte Taste Like?
If you’re wondering what it might taste like, imagine the warmth of sesame paired with the toasty depth of espresso. It’s creamy, slightly savory, and pairs surprisingly well with a touch of honey or date syrup. Some cafés are even adding a dusting of cinnamon or cacao on top to complement the sesame’s subtle bitterness.
The best tahini lattes use a blend of steamed oat or almond milk (to enhance the nutty flavor) and a spoonful of high-quality tahini whisked in. Baristas describe the texture as lush and the taste as “reminiscent of halva, with a grown-up twist.”
Where Can You Try One?
While tahini lattes haven’t hit the mainstream just yet, they’re popping up in trendsetting cafés from Los Angeles to Brooklyn. Yelp notes an uptick in coffee shop menus featuring “tahini mocha,” “sesame latte,” and “halva-inspired espresso drinks.” If you’re lucky enough to live near a Middle Eastern café, you might even find a more traditional spin.
No local options? You can easily DIY a tahini latte at home. Here’s a basic recipe:
DIY Tahini Latte Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 shot of espresso or ½ cup strong brewed coffee
- 1 cup of your favorite non-dairy milk (oat milk works great)
- 1 tablespoon tahini (smooth and unsweetened)
- 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- Pinch of cinnamon (optional)
Instructions:
- Heat the milk gently on the stove or steam it if you have a frother.
- In a mug, mix the tahini and sweetener until smooth.
- Pour in the espresso or coffee and whisk.
- Add the hot milk and stir or froth to combine.
- Dust with cinnamon and enjoy.
Final Sip
Tahini lattes might sound a bit avant-garde, but they strike that rare balance between familiar and fresh. For adventurous palates, they offer an earthy alternative to the usual vanilla or caramel suspects. And with the numbers showing a massive uptick in interest, you might be seeing them pop up on your neighborhood café’s menu sooner than you think.
So, the next time you’re looking to shake up your morning routine—maybe skip the pumpkin spice—and give tahini a shot. Your taste buds just might thank you.
