With the busy life that I lead, coffee has become essential to keep me moving. Regular coffee undoubtedly provides a tremendous amount of comfort. But have you ever tried adding flavor to it? The added fragrance and flavor accentuate the taste of the drink and take the experience to a new level of pleasure. But getting one from a coffee shop every day can get heavy on the pockets.
Even if money isn’t an obstacle, a daily trip to Starbuck is a lot of effort. The alternative way would be to buy flavored coffee beans. I don’t recommend this because your cravings and preferences can change, and you might get bored of drinking the same flavor every day. Discarding the flavored coffee beans or buying another flavored pack when you’re not even done with the old one can get a little chaotic.
But don’t fret! There are plenty of ways to have your flavored coffee and drink it too. This article brings you the many different methods you can use to flavor your coffee or coffee beans. Since you’ll be doing this at home, you can add various other ingredients and enjoy a unique taste every day. This is also a very economical approach since all required constituents should be readily available at home.
Contents
Method #1: Throw in Some Spice
This is one of the healthiest ways to add flavor to your coffee. Choose your favorite powdered spice, mix it in with your coffee grounds, and brew as usual. You can also use the spices as a substitute for sugar and add them while serving. This gives the coffee a fresher taste.
This is an ancient technique that is still common in most parts of the world. The choice of spice, however, varies from region to region. Cinnamon is the most popular option, not just for its excellent aroma but also for its health benefits for diabetic patients. Even a tiny amount of ½ teaspoon can trigger the production of insulin in the blood.
Some other spice options include ginger, pumpkin pie spice, apple pie spice, cardamom, clove, and black pepper.
Method #2: Add Extracts
Another easy method is to buy different extracts and add them to your beverage to your likings. Pure extracts taste and smell better than artificial ones. They are also more potent. Just a few drops will add a delightful flavor to your coffee. However, if pure extracts are not available, artificial flavors will also work.
You can add the extract to your coffee beans before brewing for a lighter taste. If you want a richer flavor, simply add a few drops after you’ve made the coffee. You should never rush the process and gradually increase the amount, as even one drop has the power to alter the taste of your coffee immensely.
There’s a wide range of options to choose from. Vanilla, nuts, butter, chocolate, maple, and coconut are just some of them. You can also try different combinations to bring out a unique twist. If you want to lower your calorie intake, you opt for extracts over the syrups that most coffee shops include in their servings.
Method #3: Unsweetened Cacao Powder
Cacao is the rawest variant of cocoa and least processed form of chocolate. It is unsweetened and slightly bitter. Cacao powder doesn’t only boost the flavor of your coffee.; it also comes with numerous health benefits.
You can sprinkle some on top of your drink for a delicious chocolaty flavor. The alternative method is to stir about one tablespoon of the powder in your coffee cup. This increases the number of antioxidants and fibers in your diet.
Method #4: Make Homemade Syrups
This option is definitely for coffee drinkers who don’t keep track of their daily sugar intake. Homemade syrups are natural and add more sweetness to your coffee than artificial ones. Since you only need a tiny amount to add flavor to your drink, you can use the rest of the syrup in other treats.
To make a syrup, add all the base ingredients in equal parts. For a thinner syrup, the ratio of added sugar and water should be 1:2. Throw in the flavorings and simmer for about 20 minutes, and voila. If you don’t have enough time to make your syrup at home, go for natural-flavored artificial sweeteners like toffee nut syrups sold in the market.
Method #5: Use Flavored Coffee Creamers
While some people take their coffee black, others prefer to add milk or creamer to enhance the taste. The introduction of such products also assists in reducing the acidity of your coffee. You can easily buy creamers in powder or a liquid form from many stores. However, they generally have a large number of unhealthy chemicals such as HFCS and preservatives.
A healthier alternative would be to make your flavored coffee creamers at home. Not only are they less expensive, but they are also very easy to make.
All you need is equal parts of condensed and whole milk. For a flavored coffee, add in a few drops of your preferred extract. Use this homemade creamer as a substitute for milk, sugar, and other flavored ingredients for a delectable cup of coffee.
Method #6: Mix a Little Orange Juice
Of all the strange food combinations out there, this might one might be the weirdest. However, with one sip of orange coffee, you will never go back to your other flavors. You can either add a few drops into your mug or on the coffee’s surface to enhance the flavor and reduce bitterness.
Orange juice doesn’t flavor your coffee so much as give it a lovely aroma. However, this combination can affect the enamel on your teeth since both coffee and orange are acidic. Therefore, it is advisable to use the juice with espresso to minimize the acidity levels.
Conclusion
FLavoring your coffee is always an excellent way to enhance its taste. However, most local shops use it to mask the low quality of the coffee beans they use. Therefore, making your flavored coffee at home is always a better choice. All the methods I have shown you are healthy ways to improve the flavor of your coffee. Whether you go natural and opt for homemade flavors or buy artificial ones, you will never want to go back to plain coffee. So, have fun and experiment with all the different flavors!
