Most cafés in Singapore are inspired by Australian coffee culture. But for Indonesia-based chain Maxx Coffee, it hopes to introduce, and celebrate, the coffee culture of Asia instead. And it’s starting by opening its first international outpost on our sunny island out west in JEM.
The popular brand has some 80 outlets across 23 cities in Indonesia. Its main draw: single-origin beans sourced from regions of Sumatera Lintong, Java Ciwidey and Aceh Gayo.
These are used to create Maxx Coffee’s selection of signature, Asian-inspired drinks. Try the Klepon Freddo ($5.50), espresso topped with cold milk, hand-shaken till frothy, served in a cup rimmed with brown sugar. Inspired by the sweet ondeh ondeh dessert, each sip comes perfumed with notes of pandan, gula Melaka, and coconut.
There’s also the limited-edition Melaka Green Tea Latte ($6.50) that’s worth a sip with its rich, caramel-like flavour from the addition of gula Melaka. Other highlights include the Pandan Macchiato ($5.70), Melaka Brulee Latte ($6.50), and the regular espresso-based brews.
Asian influence can be seen in its sweet treats too. Grab some cruffins ($3.90) in flavours of bandung or srikaya, a traditional Indonesian-style variant of the coconut spread. Hearty bites of lasagne pie ($7.60), sandwiches, and flatbreads are also available to pair with your cuppa.
Of course, if you aren’t ready to dine out just yet, Maxx Coffee also has a range of bottled cold brews – each steeped for over 24 hours – available for delivery and takeaway. Options include the cold brew black ($4.80), caffe latte ($4.80), and hibiscus lemonade tea ($4.30).