The Crumbles journal
What to drink with a crumble? A guide to coffee, tea and latte pairings
At the counter, the most frequent question after choosing fruit is: “What should I drink with it?” Here are our answers, Tanat coffee in hand.
At our rue Pierre Fontaine counter, a good drink doesn’t just accompany a crumble: it reveals it.
Crumbles is both a crumble bar and a coffee shop in Paris 9, serving coffee roasted in Paris by Tanat. Here is what we have learned.
The 3 principles of a good drink + crumble pairing
A crumble contrasts soft fruit with a buttery crust. Three levers guide the pairing.
1. Acidity
A lively drink wakes up sweet fruit; a round cup softens tart fruit.
2. Roast echo
Toasty coffee notes answer the caramelized crust.
3. Texture
Creamy drinks extend custard; clean drinks refresh the palate.
Decide what to highlight: the fruit, the crust, or overall indulgence.
Contrast or harmony: pick a side
Two philosophies, both valid.
Harmony brings similar flavors together, like apple-cinnamon crumble with chai latte.
Contrast seeks tension, like red-berry crumble with a short espresso.
Heavily topped crumble? Go for contrast. Simple fruit crumble? Enjoy harmony.
Coffee & crumble: which cup for which fruit?
The fruit profile dictates the coffee profile.
Bold espresso vs apple or pear crumble
Sweet apple and pear need a bold espresso, or a cappuccino for a velvety touch.
Fruity filter coffee vs red berry or apricot crumble
Livelier fruit calls for a fruity V60 or Aeropress brew. See our guide to French seasonal fruit for crumble.
The role of roasting: a nod to Tanat
Darker roasts echo the crust; lighter roasts keep the fruit. Tanat, our Paris roaster, gives us consistent, readable coffees.
Teas & infusions: chai, matcha, black tea
Black tea’s light tannins cleanse the palate, great with red berries.
Chai shares the spices of an autumn crumble: perfect harmony with apple or pear.
Matcha balances rich crumbles. For the chai recipe, read Chai latte: origins, spices and how to make it.
Lattes & signature drinks
A latte suits almost every crumble, especially with nutty crumblings.
Our ube latte pairs with stone fruit and caramel. Learn more about our ube latte in Paris.
The more toppings on the crumble, the simpler the latte should be.
Cold drinks & softs: the summer pairing
Homemade lemonade brings lively contrast to a red-berry crumble.
Cold brew, rounder and less acidic, stays gentle with strawberry or raspberry.
With a cold drink, serve the crumble warm, not piping hot.
Serving temperature and caffeine in the evening
Let the crumble rest a few minutes so the fruit aromas come through.
In the evening, try rooibos, a fruit infusion, a coffee-free latte or hot chocolate.
And with a savory crumble as an appetizer?
Crumble technique also works with vegetables and cheese.
Look for freshness: low-sugar lemonade, plain iced tea or smoky black tea.
The counter pairing: custard, whipped cream and the right cup
Our custard is made every morning and our whipped cream is homemade: with custard, choose espresso; with whipped cream, a filter coffee or light cappuccino.
Build your crumble with our guide Build your crumble, then ask the barista for the matching cup. Everything is on the menu. Nearby? Visit our Pigalle coffee shop.
Come build your crumble with a Tanat coffee at 3 rue Pierre Fontaine, Paris 9.
Your counter questions
FAQ
Coffee or tea with a crumble?
Coffee for apple and pear; black tea or chai for red berries and spiced crumbles.
Hot or cold drink with a crumble?
Hot in winter for harmony; cold in summer for contrast, with a warm crumble.
What to drink in the evening without caffeine?
Rooibos, fruit infusion, a coffee-free latte or hot chocolate.
What drink with a savory crumble?
Fresh, acidic drinks such as low-sugar lemonade or plain iced tea.
Read also
Go further
Tanat specialty coffee, homemade lattes and made-to-order crumbles: discover our coffee shop paris 9, at 3 rue Pierre Fontaine, near Pigalle.