Milk and sugar are no longer the sole condiments added to coffee. There are many superfoods that will make your coffee delicious and highly nutritious. When you’re choosing what to put in your coffee, consider the healthy options discussed below.
What to Put in Coffee
A recent study has shown that drinking coffee may actually lower your mortality risk. But if you’re dumping tons of sugar and milk in each cup, you may be doing more harm than good. One study, for example, has shown that milk actually increase the risk of mortality in women. Sugar, on the other hand, increases the risk of chronic illness.
Luckily, you can keep coffee healthy, or, better yet, make it even healthier, with delicious superfoods.
Let’s start with two foods that supply beneficial fats.
- Grassfed butter offers a beneficial ratio of Omega 3 to Omega 6 fatty acids. This is very important when fighting inflammation, and in general promotes optimal health. Make sure to look for non-GMO butter products like Kerrygold.
- Coconut oil, although once again under scrutiny of the American Heart Association, is another beneficial fat for the brain and body. Many scientists believe that coconut oil helps with energy, improves nutrition absorption, relieves pain relief, and aides in weight loss.
Both grassfed butter and coconut oil are best if blended in the coffee.
Furthermore, spices make a nutritious addition to any cup o’joe. Here are some favorites (follow the links to see my favorite brands):
- Cardamom is a common Turkish spice. It is bursting with electrolytes, vitamin C, iron, and fiber. This makes cardamom great for your digestive system. Just sprinkle some cardamom powder in your coffee and voila!
- Cinnamon is probably one of the most popular additions to gourmet coffee drinks. The best option is Ceylon cinnamon, which is beneficial for weight loss, blood pressure and a healthy gut. Always make sure to buy organic!
- Nutmeg, clove and ginger are less common coffee spices, but you may find one of them appealing. They offer many medicinal properties, as well as robust flavors. If you like Chai tea, you will love these spices in your coffee.
- Raw cacao powder is a really wonderful coffee supplement. Cacao is packed with magnesium, iron, flavonoids and antixoidants. This makes cacao great for the cardiovascular system. It’s also ideal food for the brain.
Below are two superfood coffee recipes for you to try. ENJOY!
Butter Coffee Recipe (aka Bulletproof Coffee)
What you will need:
- High quality coffee beans
- Preferably a French Press for brewing (but don’t let that stop you)
- Blender
- Butter from grassfed cows – look for unsalted Kerrygold butter at your store, or unsalted butter from your local farmers market and healthfood store.
- Spices such as cinnamon, nutmeg or cacao. (optional)
Instructions:
- Brew coffee using your favorite method, making your desired amount.
- “Pre-heat” blender with hot water – dump the water.
- Place brewed coffee in blender.
- Place butter in blender. Use ratio of ½-1 tablespoon of butter per 1 cup of coffee.
- Place optional ingredients, like cinnamon, nutmeg and/or cacao, in blender. Use ratio of ¼ teaspoon of each spice per 4 cups of coffee.
- Blend on high for 30 seconds or more. The coffee will look similar to a latte.
- Serve immediately.
Moroccan Coffee Recipe
What you will need:
- Scant 1 cup freshly roasted coffee beans
- 4 cups boiling water
- hot milk or coconut milk, to taste
- sugar, if desired
Spices:
- 1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground cinnamon
- 1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground black peppercorns
- 1⁄4 teaspoon freshly ground ginger
- 1⁄4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
- 1⁄8 teaspoon freshly ground green cardamom seeds
- 1⁄8 teaspoon freshly ground clove
Instructions:
- Combine the spices with the coffee beans in a grinder and whirl until the beans are finely ground.
- Bring 4 cups of water to boil.
- Warm milk in saucepan if using, but do not boil.
- If using a filtered maker: Pour the coffee mixture into the paper-lined brewing cup. Pour about 2 ounces of boiling water over the coffee to allow the grounds to “bloom.” Then slowly add the rest of the water, allowing it to drip through the grounds into the pot below.
- If using a French press: Put the coffee and spice mixture in the bottom of the press pot. Pour in the requisite amount of boiling water, put the top in place and let the mixture steep for 4 to 5 minutes. Press the plunger down.
- Pour the spiced coffee into cups and add hot milk (and sugar) if desired. Serve at once.
Hopefully you got some good ideas here of what to put in coffee. If I’ve missed one of your favorite coffee “condiments,” please share in the comments section.
Like Awareness Junkie on Facebook
This article (What to Put in Coffee to Make It a Superfood Drink) is copyrighted by Awareness Junkie, 2017. Furthermore, you may not copy, reproduce, publish or distribute any content therein without written permission. You may contact us here.
Disclaimer: This article is not intended to provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Moreover, views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Awareness Junkie or its staff.
