Say hello to Fariha Zahid. In the coffee world, she’s better known as @caffieneandchaos_. Like all of us, she has a deep passion for all things brewed and she’s not just sipping coffees, she’s documenting it too.
Fariha has a knack for flavour and a bold spirit when it comes to trying new things - I love that she shows how effortless it is for her to incorporate coffee into her day to day, coffee is truly second nature to her. Her mantra sums it up: “just trying to navigate life, one cup of coffee and existential crisis at a time.”
Fariha's is a curated journey through caffeine fuelled creativity for anyone who enjoys coffee with a side of adventure. We chatted to her and got the low down on her journey plus a delicious recipe to try!
A huge part of your online persona is coffee, where did that start for you?
“Caffeine and Chaos” started long before I ever thought of getting into content creation. It began back in my university days when I was constantly fuelled by coffee and surrounded by chaos. What started as a way to survive all-nighters during exam season has since evolved into something I’m truly passionate about.
Even before I started my page, I found myself on this journey of discovery, trying new places because my heart just led me there. And then, naturally, there came a moment where I wanted to push that curiosity even further—to start making my own coffee at home and see how I could put my own creative twist on it. As I started experimenting, I realised that coffee wasn’t just something I drank every day. It became a craft I was pretty good at. Naturally, I wanted a way to journal it and showcase it at the same time! The more I made coffee and documented it, the more I got inspired.
Getting my hands on a Moka pot was a breakthrough in my coffee brewing journey. I had been living off my trusty Nespresso machine, but a friend brought over some freshly roasted coffee from Italy and he insisted I try it with a Moka pot. This opened up a whole new world of freshly brewed specialty coffee for me. The richness and depth of flavour were unlike anything I had experienced before. Experimenting with different blends and single-origin coffees with the Moka pot helped me understand the subtle flavour profiles and tasting notes, which fueled my curiosity. Before I knew it, I was diving into pour-overs and V60.
And of course, aesthetics play a huge role in all this. When you’re creating content, you want everything to look clean and polished. But for me, it’s not just about making it look nice. The aesthetics are part of the process—capturing the beauty of the coffee, the details that make it stand out. That’s how “Caffeine and Chaos” came to life. It’s the perfect reflection of who I am: always caffeinated, always curious, and sometimes a bit chaotic—just like the rush of creativity and energy that coffee gives me. It’s a blend of my personality and my love for the drink, and it just clicked perfectly with the niche I wanted to explore.
“I can’t stop drinking the coffee. I stop drinking the coffee, I stop doing the standing and the walking and the words-putting-into-sentences doing.” I couldn’t finish this answer without quoting the OG coffee queen, Lorelai Gilmore!
How do you approach experimenting with flavours in coffee?
As an avid coffee drinker, I’m always on the lookout for new flavours—whether that’s through experimenting with different blends, exploring single origins, or visiting local coffee shops whenever I travel. I love the idea of recreating a café-like look experience at home and putting my own twist on the coffees I’ve tried. For me, it’s not just about the caffeine; it’s about the experience, the unique blends, and crafting something truly personal.
Take my Iced Tiramisu Latte, for example. After trying it at three different places, I felt like something was missing. Some versions were way too sweet, while others were just iced mocha with a bit of whipped cream on top. So, I decided to experiment myself, keeping it simple so my audience could easily recreate it.
When creating recipes, I always consider the coffee’s profile. For example, a few weeks back I got my hands on a dark roast with hints of cacao, nuts, and caramel, so I made a salted honey latte. The salt and honey brought out the coffee’s natural flavours beautifully, and it’s now my go-to everyday drink. For lighter beans, like Ethiopian or Costa Rican with citrusy notes, I’ll pair them with vanilla to add some depth. It’s all about enhancing what’s already there and making each cup a little adventure.
Next, I’m really excited to experiment with pistachio-based coffee recipes.
What’s your Tiramisu Latte Recipe recipe?
Ingredients:
For the Creamy Tiramisu Layer:
• 1.5 tablespoons cream cheese (or mascarpone cheese)
• 1/2 tablespoon condensed milk
• 1.5 tablespoons heavy/whipping cream
• 1/2 tablespoon vanilla syrup
• Optional: 1/2 tablespoon milk (for a thinner consistency)
For the Coffee & Assembly:
• Ice
• 1 tablespoon vanilla syrup (adjust to taste)
• 3/4 cup milk (or adjust to taste)
• 2 shots of espresso
• Tiramisu cream (from above)
• Cocoa powder (or substitute with dark chocolate shavings)
• 1–2 ladyfinger biscuits (for garnish)
Instructions:
• In a bowl, add the cream cheese, condensed milk, heavy cream, and vanilla syrup.
• Whisk everything together until smooth and creamy. If you prefer a thinner consistency, add 1/2 tablespoon of milk and mix until combined.
• Fill your glass with ice.
• Pour in 1 tablespoon of vanilla syrup and 3/4 cup of milk over the ice.
• Add two shots of espresso over the milk and ice.
• Spoon the prepared tiramisu cream over your coffee mixture.
• Dust the top with cocoa powder or sprinkle dark chocolate shavings like I did.
• Break a ladyfinger biscuit in half, place it on top as a garnish, or serve it on the side.
Don’t forget to dip your biscuit in the coffee and have some of that delicious cream with it!
Why is documenting your coffee recipes important to you?
Documenting my coffee recipes has become a huge part of what I do, and it’s about more than just me—it’s about the amazing community I’ve built around it. The people I’ve connected with here have shown me that they genuinely enjoy and trust the content I create, and that means the world to me. They love the unique twists I bring to coffee, whether it’s a new flavour combination or a creative take on a classic recipe, or making that relatable 3 AM cup that you know you’re gonna regret drinking.
I think for a lot of people, especially when it comes to trying something new, there’s always that little hesitation. Most of us don’t want to take the plunge until we’ve seen someone else try it first. That’s where I come in. For my followers, I’ve become that trusted source. If I create a recipe and rave about it, they see me get obsessed with it and have it every other day, they know it’s worth a try—and that’s powerful. It’s like I’m offering them my personal seal of approval, and in return, they’re willing to give it a shot. That’s what makes documenting my recipes so essential.
I’ve found that for many, making coffee (or any beverage of choice) isn’t just a daily routine—it’s a way to find solace, a ritual that brings calm amidst the chaos. There’s something so special about hearing the stories and memories people associate with their favourite beverages. Whether it’s the comfort of a morning brew that reminds them of home or a drink they’ve perfected over time to unwind after a long day, there’s always a personal story behind it. Being able to connect with people on that level, sharing their passion and their stories, makes this whole journey so meaningful.
For me, it’s not just about making coffee—it’s about building that connection, that loyalty. When I take the time to explore new flavours, test them out, and then share the results with my community, it’s a two-way street. They trust me to bring them something new, and I take that responsibility seriously. It’s about giving back, sharing what I love, and watching my community grow because of it.
