Special thanks to The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf for extending this food review invitation.
Founded in 1963 in Los Angeles, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is an international chain that specializes in coffee and tea. In Penang, there are around 10 outlets, the latest of which is located at Automall. The store is sandwiched between Macau Street and Droptop on the Ground Floor.
Besides coffee and tea, Coffee Bean also serves proper meals such as breakfast, pasta and pastry. Like most outlets, this store also sells store merchandise such as coffee beans, tea leaves, tumblers, coffee capsules and capsule machines.
Just recently, Coffee Bean has introduced Nitro Cold Brew in selected outlets in Penang. Unlike espresso, cold brewed coffee is prepared by steeping ground coffee in cold water. After steeping for 20 hours, the coffee is filtered and infused with pressurized nitrogen gas. Dispensed from a tap, the fizzy Nitro Cold Brew has a creamy head similar to draft beer.
Nitro Cold Brew is prepared from a blend of Bali Blue Moon and Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee beans. The former contains a hint of spice notes, while the latter carries more earthy flavors. Because the temperature of water affects the solubility of each chemical, cold brewing leaches different composition of compounds from coffee beans. Most notably, cold brewed coffee has lower caffeine, oils and fatty acids than typical espresso. This fact is a plus for casual coffee drinkers because the former can be enjoyed slowly over an extended period of time.
There are three ways to appreciate Coffee Bean’s Nitro Cold Brew. The titular Nitro Cold Brew (RM13.50) is dispensed fresh from the tap, ideal for customers who are wary of their caloric intake – coffee without milk or sugar contains virtually zero calories. Meanwhile, Nitro Cold Brew Latte (RM14.50) has fresh milk added to give a creamy consistency. Last but not least, Mint Nitro Latte (RM15.50) also contains cool peppermint to lend a refreshing breath.
At present, Nitro Cold Brew is only offered in selected outlets in Penang: G Hotel, Queensbay Mall, e-Gate, Automall, Gleneagles Penang and Auto-City. More outlets will be covered as this drink gains more momentum from its customers.
Name: The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf
Address: 29C-1-7, Automall Penang, Persiaran Karpal Singh, 11600 George Town, Pulau Pinang
Contact: 04-609-1647
Business hours: 8:00am-12:00am (Sunday-Thursday), 8:00am-1:00am (Friday-Saturday)
Website: https://www.coffeebean.com.my
Coordinates: 5.39810 N, 100.32967 E
Directions: From Lebuhraya Tun Dr. Lim Chong Eu, take the Sungai Pinang exit and head east. Drive to the end of the road, then turn left. Automall is within a short distance on the left, while The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf is one of the shops on the ground floor. Street parking and indoor mall parking are available.
