Cook Islands
The coffee scene in the Cook Islands, particularly on the main island of Rarotonga, is a fascinating blend of traditional island practices and modern café culture influenced by New Zealand and Australia. You'll find locally grown coffee alongside international espresso-based drinks.
Here are the different ways you can expect to order coffee in the Cook Islands and what's in them:
Traditional Cook Islands Coffee / Atiu Island Coffee:
This is a unique and authentic experience, especially if you visit Atiu island, which is renowned for its coffee production.
What's in it: Locally grown Arabica coffee beans, often roasted and sometimes prepared with fresh coconut cream or milk. The process can involve traditional methods like roasting beans over an open fire and grinding them by hand. It's often served black or with the rich, natural sweetness of coconut cream. You might also find it served with local treats like pikelets (mini pancakes).
How to order: Ask for "Atiu Island Coffee" or simply "local coffee." Some tours or specific cafes might offer a "traditional coffee experience."
Standard Espresso-Based Coffees (Common in Cafes on Rarotonga):
Thanks to the strong ties with New Zealand, you'll find a very similar range of espresso drinks to what's popular in Australia and New Zealand. These are made with an espresso machine.
Espresso / Short Black: A single shot of concentrated coffee.
Doppio: A double shot of espresso.
Long Black: Hot water first, then a double shot of espresso poured over it. This preserves the crema and offers a strong, black coffee.
Flat White: Espresso with velvety, steamed milk and very little foam. A smooth, strong milky coffee.
Latte: Espresso with a larger amount of steamed milk and a thin layer of foamed milk on top, often served in a glass.
Cappuccino: Espresso with steamed milk and a thicker layer of foamed milk on top, often dusted with chocolate powder.
Macchiato (Short or Long):
Short Macchiato: Espresso "marked" with a dollop of milk or foam.
Long Macchiato: Double espresso with a dollop of foam and a small amount of milk.
Piccolo Latte (or Piccolo): A small latte, usually a single ristretto shot with warm, silky milk, served in a small glass. It's a strong, short milky coffee.
Mocha: Espresso with chocolate (syrup or powder) and steamed milk, often topped with whipped cream.
Iced Coffee Drinks:
Iced Coffee: Similar to the Australian version, this often means cold coffee with vanilla ice cream and sometimes whipped cream or chocolate syrup.
Iced Latte/Cappuccino/Mocha: The chilled versions of their hot counterparts, made with espresso, cold milk, and ice, with various flavorings.
Cold Brew: Some modern cafes may offer cold brew, which is coffee steeped in cold water for a long period, resulting in a smoother, less acidic concentrate served over ice.
Other & Specialty Options:
Coffee with Coconut Milk/Creamer: Given the abundance of coconuts, many cafes will offer coconut milk as a dairy alternative for any coffee drink. This is a great way to infuse a local flavor into a standard coffee.
Batch Brew / Filter Coffee: While less common than espresso, some specialty cafes might offer this for a different brewing method, showcasing single-origin beans.
Alternative Lattes: You might find chai lattes, turmeric lattes, or matcha lattes (powdered mixes with steamed milk).
Key things to note when ordering in the Cook Islands:
Local Coffee Focus: Don't miss the opportunity to try coffee made from locally grown Cook Islands beans, particularly from Atiu. This is a unique taste of the islands.
Island Time: Service can be relaxed, so embrace "island time" when waiting for your brew.
Cafe Culture: Rarotonga has a growing number of cafes, especially around Avarua and Muri, that offer a range of modern coffee choices alongside local food.
When in doubt, describe what kind of coffee you prefer (e.g., "a strong black coffee," "a milky coffee," "something sweet and iced") and the friendly staff will guide you to the best option.
*The content in this document was generated using artificial intelligence, drawing from various online sources, and subsequently refined for accuracy and conciseness in 2025. Users are advised to consult multiple sources to corroborate information and should not rely solely on this document for comprehensive research.