kahvivaahdossa

Kahvivaahdossa is a Finnish term describing a coffee beverage or serving style in which a thick, stable layer of milk foam dominates the cup. The word combines kahvi (coffee) and vaahdossa (in foam). In practice, kahvivaahdossa refers to either a foam-forward espresso-based drink or a presentation in which the foam is the defining feature of the cup.

Preparation typically involves texturing milk with a steam wand to produce dense microfoam, then combining it with a strong coffee base such as an espresso shot. The foam is poured to create a prominent top layer, sometimes with a ratio leaning toward foam rather than liquid. Whole milk yields the smoothest foam; plant-based milks can be used but foam stability varies.

Variations include drinks where the foam serves as the primary texture (akin to a cappuccino with extra foam) and other cases where the foam is taller than the coffee beneath. The term is less about a fixed recipe and more about the sensory emphasis on foam, and it overlaps with cappuccino and latte-style beverages but is distinguished by an especially thick foam cap.

Context: In Finnish and broader Nordic specialty coffee culture, kahvivaahdossa highlights technique and texture, with baristas aiming for glossy, stable foam. It is not a fixed standard on menus, but a descriptor used by customers and staff to convey foam-forward preferences.