Nearly 64% of Americans drink at least one cup of joe daily.
Whether you’re enjoying a cappuccino, latte, or a classic americano, sometimes you want to add a dash of your favorite flavor to improve the overall experience.
If you’re unsure how to flavor coffee beans, you’ve come to the right place. Here’s everything you need to know.
What Flavor Is Coffee?
Before discussing how to make flavored coffee beans, it’s essential to recognize coffee’s natural taste. A coffee cherry, where the bean comes from, has a unique flavor depending on the type of coffee and the region it grows.
These coffee seeds are often nutty, fruity, or sometimes earthy. The question is how these coffee beans are processed.
“How is flavored coffee made?” You ask. Here are the main ways:
Washed Coffee Beans
In the processing stage of coffee, you de-pulp the coffee cherry and then ferment them in water for at least two days.
The length of the fermentation process determines their taste. If you leave the beans soaked long enough, their natural flavor is enhanced with a hint of acidity.
Unwashed Coffee
Otherwise known as the “dry process,” farmers leave coffee cherries in the sun to dry. This process takes up to six weeks, and during this time, the coffee beans are raked and rotated so they roast evenly.
The flavor of unwashed coffee is more substantial and blends complex flavors. You can usually taste notes of blueberry, strawberry, or tropical fruit.
Roasting Your Beans and Adding Flavor
Not sure how to roast coffee beans with flavor?
First, pick the beans with your desired taste profile and find a highly concentrated syrup to infuse your coffee beans.
Take the coffee beans after they are roasted and still warm, and add them into a mixer with the syrup. Let the coffee beans spin in the mixer for 15 minutes until they’ve completely absorbed the syrup, and you’re done!
The Best Flavors for Roasting
Now you’ve learned how to infuse coffee with your favorite flavors; it’s time to discuss the ones that best complement coffee.
Vanilla
Vanilla extract is one of the best additives as it blends well with coffee. Besides vanilla’s delicious taste, it also boosts mental performance.
You can add drops of vanilla extract once your coffee’s brewed or before the grinding process.
Peppermint Oil
Forgo the unhealthy peppermint syrups you find at local coffee shops and swap it out with oil. Peppermint oil is bursting with nutrients that ease inflammation and soothes heartburn.
Add a few drops to your coffee to reap peppermint oil’s health benefits.
Cardamom
Popular in the Middle East, cardamom is a fantastic spice to spruce up your cup of joe in the morning. Add Cardamom to imbue coffee with an exotic flavor while being packed with fiber and essential minerals.
If you want a rich cardamom flavor, add a few cardamom beans to your coffee beans before grinding. Or sprinkle a pinch on your brewed coffee to make it more flavorful.
Nutmeg
Nutmeg is excellent if you want to enhance the earthy flavor of your coffee. Because this spice has the perfect balance of sweetness and earthy taste, you may only need a pinch.
It’s important to note that first-timers should slowly increase the amount of nutmeg until they reach your desired taste.
Maple Syrup
All sweet-tooth lovers should add maple syrup to their coffee as it’s a natural sweetener. The sap from Maple trees has high antioxidants, zinc, and manganese, which boost your immune system and improve heart health.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon is a classic, letting you add a sweet-spicy flavor to your coffee with no extra calories. This magical spice stops insulin from spiking, so you don’t get a sugar crash associated with sugary coffee drinks.
Cayenne
This spice is not for the faint of; you should only add the tiniest sprinkle on your coffee to reap the benefits as a spice contains capsaicin, which boosts circulation and heart health. It also prevents type-2 diabetes and high blood pressure.
Coconut Oil
Scientists have found myriad ways coconut oil can be used, whether for your food or skin. Coconut oil also makes a fantastic addition to your coffee, especially if you hope to increase the number of calories you burn.
Also, the fat in the coconut oil cuts down your hunger pangs, so you won’t be craving anything in-between main meals. Start by adding one tablespoon to your coffee and stir well so it’s properly blended.
Cocoa
You’re craving a chocolate latte, but it might be too heavy first thing in the morning. Instead, sprinkle cocoa powder over your coffee for the scrumptious flavor and improve your heart’s health.
Hazelnut Oil
Hazelnut complements an earthy coffee flavor, but it also protects your heart and lowers your cholesterol.
Lavender
A hint of lavender works best with fruitier coffee beans. For best results, add several dried lavender sprinkles to your coffee grounds before steeping them and enjoying the rich flavor.
That’s How to Flavor Coffee Beans
Now you know how to flavor coffee beans, whether adding your desired ingredient during the roasting stage or sprinkling it into your coffee once it’s brewed.
All of the above are fantastic ways to imbue flavor to your cup of joe without adding to your calorie count. Mix it up each morning to reap plenty of health benefits while sipping your morning brew. Enjoy!
Did you find this article helpful? If yes, check out our posts filled with useful coffee tips.
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