Portland Coffee Collection ☕️International Student’s Taste Test!

🍯 Must-Try Coffee Gems｜Every Sip Makes You Want More ① Less and more｜Food Truck Surprise, Black Sesame Latte Wins Tucked in a street corner food truck, this spot has so few seats you have to squat on the sidewalk to drink—but locals still line up for it. I ordered the signature Black Sesame Latte and Tiramisu Latte, and one sip told me which was better! The Black Sesame Latte is my “ride-or-die” 🤤! You can taste tiny black sesame bits, rich and not overpowering, with sweetness like “a spoonful of honey”—not too sweet, not too plain. Mixed with smooth milk, there was no residue at the bottom even after finishing. The Tiramisu one, though, was too sweet (even with strong cocoa flavor)—only for die-hard sweet lovers; I had to stop halfway to avoid feeling sick. While squatting on the sidewalk, I smelled fresh-baked cookies from the back of the truck—so tempting! But I saved room for lunch, so I’ll have to come back for them next time. ② Stumptown｜Summer Coconut Special, I Sobbed Over a Cat Cup As Portland’s “coffee icon,” Stumptown’s stores are always packed—and their summer-exclusive Coconut Cloud won me over instantly! Cold brew mixed with fluffy coconut milk foam—first sip is coconut sweetness, then a hint of cold brew bitterness, with clear layers. Chewing the ice cubes even tastes like coconut; it’s perfect for hot summer days 🌴. But the regular cold brew was a letdown—too acidic, no rich flavor, skip it. My biggest regret? The hot drink cups! I saw others with mugs printed with cat and dog cartoons—so cute I wanted to collect them. But with 86°F (30℃) weather, I had to hold an iced coffee and stare at their mugs for 3 seconds, heartbroken [sniffles]! Luckily, the merch was cute—I bought a tote bag with the logo, so it wasn’t a total loss. ③ Sterling｜Local Hot Spot, Matcha Latte Saved My Sparkling Coffee This spot is so popular you wait 20 minutes on weekends. A local in line said “the Tonic special is a must”—turns out it was a small fail: the sparkling coffee was disjointed, the fizz drowned out the coffee flavor, tasting like “sparkling American”—not my thing at all. Thankfully, the matcha latte saved the day! It had enough matcha powder (no grit after stirring), tasting as rich as “melted matcha ice cream”—not bitter, not sweet, even my matcha-hating friend stole a few sips. The barista was super nice too—when she saw me frown at the Tonic, she gave me a free tiny caramel macchiato sample, so sweet! ④ Caffe Umbria｜Free Live Band, Coconut Latte Gone in 5 Minutes I was drawn in by jazz music from the door—turns out there was a free live band! Everyone sat at outdoor seats, nodding to the rhythm while drinking coffee; even the sun felt softer 🎵. I ordered the limited coconut latte—made with fresh coconut milk, way (fragrant) than regular non-dairy creamer. First sip was the sweet of “just-opened coconut,” mixed with coffee richness—smooth and not greasy. I held the cup and didn’t stop, finishing it in 5 minutes! The cold brew was just okay, with citrus acidity—good for acid lovers, but I prefer bitter coffee, so the coconut one won. The barista said they often have bands on weekends—next time I’m in Portland, I’ll definitely pick a weekend to sit here, coffee in hand, listening to music. ⑤ Case study｜Neighborhood Café Warmth, I Drew an Alien at the Counter This spot feels like “the neighborhood regular”—locals greet the baristas by name, no need to say “how much sugar”；the vibe is so chill. I ordered the Honey Lavender Latte—it was a nice surprise! The lavender scent was faint (not like “drinking perfume”), the honey sweetness mixed with coffee richness, so gentle. The Bagel was from Tree Tree—crispy outside, soft inside, only topped with plain cream cheese, fresh and not greasy, balancing the coffee’s sweetness perfectly. The fun part? Markers on the counter! The barista said “draw whatever you want”—I excitedly drew an alien, and the barista praised it as “a masterpiece,” sticking it next to the counter. Next time I come, I might still see my “artwork”—so memorable! 💡 Tips for Students Drinking Coffee in Portland Avoid sweetness? Go for Less and more’s Black Sesame Latte or Stumptown’s Coconut Cloud； Love matcha? Head to Sterling；Vibe chasers? Caffe Umbria (weekend bands!)； Want to draw? Case study is your spot—super neighborhoody. The joy of drinking coffee in Portland is “walking into any café and finding a small surprise.” Next time, I’ll rush to Stumptown first—determined to get that cat-print cup! #PortlandEats #CoffeeLovers #StudyAbroadTravel #OregonCoffee #StudentLife