With how innovative coffee lovers are, there’s no absolute best way to drink coffee. It helps that many ingredients tend to go well despite the bitter taste of caffeine.
So, how do you take your coffee? Read on to get more ideas on how to level up your daily coffee experience. ☕⬆️
Coffee can vary from cup to cup depending on the following: flavor, strength, texture, sweetness, and acidity. Depending on preference, you can even take your coffee iced, creamy, or boozy (by throwing in some whiskey!).
How do you like your coffee?
You can enjoy black coffee with pouring cream or even whipping cream. It all depends on your preferences.
Coffee’s taste could vary in how it is roasted, where it is grown and harvested, how it is brewed, and what you mix in it.
Different coffee roasts
There are 4 different coffee roasts that deliver varied strengths in flavor. Knowing the best roast for each coffee recipe can turn out to be very sensational.
Even coffee itself can vary in flavor and mouthfeel, depending on the quality of the coffee beans. Yes, of course, it has to do with the brewing method as well. But the perfect combination of the type of roast as well as how it’s brewed? Mmh-uh! 👨🍳🤌
The time spent on the roasting process determines the quality of your coffee beans. In return, it also affects the quality of the resulting coffee drink you will have. Different roasts give different aromas, acidity levels, appearances, and flavors.
1. Light
Beans that are roasted for a limited time are called a light roast. During the roasting process, once the first crack appears, these beans have internal temperatures of approximately 356°F – 401°F.
Fact:
The first crack is the point at which coffee beans become edible. When roasting coffee, it goes through two "cracks" and starts turning from light to medium brown.
The longer the beans are roasted, the more caffeine and acids are pulled out by the heat. This means that light roasts have the most caffeine and are the most acidic among the existing types of coffee roasts.
But to be clear, the difference in caffeine isn’t really as striking as you may think. Since light roasts are not directed to high temperatures, the beans tend to have not many oils in them.
A good example of a light roast is the breakfast roast.
Light roasts are best brewed in a French press or using the pour-over method. This is because these methods require a longer brewing time. This makes it pretty ideal for extracting the most flavor from those tiny beans.
2. Medium
Medium-roast coffee reaches temperatures around 410°F-428°F. This is after the first crack appears and right before the second.
This type of coffee roast is less acidic but with a little bit more body compared to a light roast. It is also the common type of roast most Americans are used to, thanks to its balanced flavors.
Examples of medium-roast coffee are House blend and American Roast.
Medium roast coffee makes a balanced and sweet cold brew. But at the same time, you can also brew this roast hot twice and served it over ice. This way, you can retain the balanced acidity and fruity notes.
3. Medium-Dark
Medium-dark beans reach internal temperatures of 437°F – 446°F during or just after the second crack. These high temperatures will cause oils to appear on the surface of the beans, making it look a bit glossy.
Coffee from these beans is less acidic, with fuller and richer flavors. Vienna roasts and Full CIty roasts belong to this blend. They both have a slightly deeper color with small spots of oil on the surface of the bean.
Italian baristas will tell you that medium or medium dark roasts are the perfect beans for making espresso.
4. Dark
Dark roast coffee also has oils visible on its surface. This is due to the roasting duration that reaches high enough temperatures of 464°F – 482°F.
The time it takes for this roasting process also allows the sugars in the beans to properly caramelize for a sweeter taste, less acidity, as well as a buttery mouthfeel.
Fact:
Dark roasts are typically roasted after the second crack.
However, this roasting duration causes dark roast beans to have the least caffeine content compared to the others. Most people would think (myself included) that because it has a bolder taste that it has the most caffeine.
Oh, well we learn something new every day. 😅
Dark roast is loved by the Europeans, which is telling from how most dark roasts have names that are European in origin.
But even in Europe, they have their own preferences of course. 👇
Brewing Methods
Coffee can be brewed in 4 different ways: pour-over, press, cold brew, or siphon.
It can be pretty boring drinking the usual cup of coffee every single day. If you found this article, you’re probably like me looking for newer, fancier way to prepare your beloved caffeine fix.
Or, maybe you are just wondering if there’s a different, fancier name to your usual coffee recipe.
Trying out different kinds of coffee also means drinking coffee that goes through different brewing methods.
1. Pour-over/ Drip
This brewing method is simple, fast, and easy. You would need to use a paper filter for the coffee. Also, it helps to know the best grind for pouring over coffee to be able to achieve the best flavor possible.
Source: https://minimalistbaker.com/how-to-make-pour-over-coffee/
For most pour-over coffee machine brands, the best grind to use would be medium-coarse.
Hot water is poured directly over coffee grounds into your mug or glass. The usual equipment for pour-over is coffee cones or Chemex.
2. Plunger/ Press
French Press and AeroPress are the two most popular when it comes to this category of brewing methods.
The French press was invented as early as 1929. Meanwhile, AeroPress was introduced much more recently in 2005. Arguably, the French press extracts superior flavors compared to AeroPress and other brewing methods.
Source: https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchen/french-press-coffee-8671127
Personally, I love how fancy a french press looks.
Now, to get the best flavor, it helps to pick out the best coarsely ground coffee for the french press. This helps prevent
3. Cold Brew
As the name suggests, the coffee grounds are steeped in cold water for up to 24 hours in preparing the cold brew. This results in less acidic coffee with a smoother taste.
How To Make Cold Brew Coffee At Home
The ratio of cold brew concentrate to water is typically 1:4 to 1:8. It's a concentrated coffee drink that's much stronger —and contains a lot more caffeine than the same amount of drip coffee liquid.
If this is too strong for your taste, it’s can be handy to know how much coffee you need for each brew to get the perfect cup every time.
4. Vacuum/ Siphon
Invented in Germany in the 1840s, Siphon is a complicated yet fun way to brew coffee.
Source: https://www.pinterest.ph/pin/372602569168194810/
The upper vessel of this brewer is filled with coffee grounds, and vapor pressure causes hot water to rise and immerse the coffee.
Gravity forces the freshly brewed coffee through a filter and back into the bottom vessel when the heat has been removed.
Hario, Yama, and Bodum are the most common brands of this type of brewer.
13 different ways to drink coffee
There are different ways to drink coffee which include the more traditional cream and sugar combo, espresso, and iced coffee.
What might you put in your coffee can make a ton of difference in your favorite beverage? You can even put in butter and cheese!
Now that we know the different coffee roasts and brewing methods, let’s jump to the different ways to drink coffee. ☕
1. Cream and Sugar
Ah, the traditional cream + sugar combo. It is the most common perhaps because it is the most accessible for most households.
There are also quite a lot of alternatives for creamers and sweeteners alike, providing infinite options for your coffee.
Just be careful though because coffee creamers can be really bad for you. In fact, it is bad enough that the biggest creamer brand — Coffee Mate, is banned in some places in Europe.
2. Instant
Instant coffee contains the majority of the same antioxidants. It is generally a low-calorie beverage with the same health benefits as other types of coffee.
Drinking instant coffee is straightforward and low-cost. However, you should manage your expectations since it can be too simple and may not be as flavorful as freshly brewed coffee.
There are also instant coffee variants that have creamer and sugar added. Some even come in different flavors. While others like Lishou coffee and enzyme coffee claim to help you lose weight.
3. Espresso
Espresso is a pretty concentrated drink. A lot of people prefer this because it’s like enjoying a small mug of coffee in just a few sips.
Because it is a concentrated cup of coffee, some people choose to enjoy espressos slowly, and why others choose to add water, milk, or sugar.
Espressos can be enjoyed straight up, or they can be used in coffee drinks like lattes, and cappuccinos. If you’re looking for a stronger espresso flavor, try using a darker roast coffee.
4. Decaffeinated
Also known as decaf, this drink is your way to enjoy coffee without having your sleep schedule interrupted. ⏰💤
Coffee beans can be decaffeinated by extracting caffeine using organic solvents, or by carbon filters used in a method called the Swiss Water Process. These are done before the beans are roasted and ground.
Fact:
Caffeine is a stimulant found in coffee that perks up the brain and nervous system. It also increases the circulation of chemicals in the body such as cortisol and adrenaline.
Caffeine, in small doses, can make you feel refreshed and focused. But how can a decaf be a pick-me-up if it doesn’t have caffeine?
It is also an excellent alternative if you ever need to cut back on your caffeine intake due to health reasons. Aside from most of its caffeine content removed, decaf’s nutritional value does not differ much from regular coffee.
But if you have a kidney problem, you might have to stay away from decaf. This is due to its high-potassium content.
Its taste and smell do get a lot milder, which also makes it a good alternative for those who are not too fond of strong and bitter coffee. Bleh!
5. Iced
Iced coffee is prepared by brewing coffee hot and then cooling it down by putting it in a fridge or adding ice. Ah, iced coffee —a pretty refreshing take on my favorite drink. 🥤
And if you use the perfect coffee grounds for iced coffee, this is going to take your refreshing pick-me-up to a whole different level.
There’s something about iced coffee that feels so sinful that there was this fake news going about on Twitter about iced coffee being illegal in Canada. Coffee is associated with a plethora of potential health benefits.
So, there’s nothing bad about drinking iced coffee every day as long as you don’t go crazy with sweeteners, creamers, and other additives that has bad stuff like trans fat.
6. Nutella Mocha Coffee
All you need to make this drink is Nutella, milk, espresso shots, cocoa powder, and whipped cream. This coffee recipe is easy to prepare using ingredients readily found at home.
Preparing Nutella Mocha coffee is simple and doesn't require too many steps. Check out the recipe below:
- First just mix the cocoa powder, espresso, and milk
- Microwave for three minutes
- Once ready, pour them into mugs
- Top each serving with Nutella and whipped cream.
And here we have the finished product 👇
Source: https://foodisafourletterword.com/recipe/nutella-mocha-latte-recipe/
This recipe is also quite flexible as most of the ingredients have alternatives that can work. You can definitely use any hazelnut spread can be used instead of Nutella.
You can also use other milk and whipped cream substitutes based on your preference. If you're short on time you can use instant coffee. Or if you want to be fancier, then try espresso shots.
7. Pumpkin Spice Latte
You will need canned or homemade pumpkin puree, milk, sugar, vanilla extract, pumpkin pie spice, and of course, coffee. Espresso would work best for this recipe, but instant is alright as an alternative.
How do you drink your coffee as a millennial? 1 Pumpkin spice latte, please!
Yes, that’s right, you don’t have to run to a coffee shop to get yourself this beloved drink for the fall season. With a few ingredients and approximately ten minutes, you can enjoy a pumpkin spice latte within the comforts of your own home.
The steps are simple, here they are below:
- First, you need to simmer the pumpkin puree
- Next, heat the puree with the milk, sugar, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract in a saucepan
- You then add this mixture to your coffee in mugs.
You can even top it with whipped cream if you like. This is pretty simple for anyone to make.
8. Bulletproof Coffee
Bulletproof coffee is made with butter. Yum! 😋 If you’re wondering what might you add to your coffee, butter is going to bring you out of this world.
This coffee was named after the coffee company that developed the drink: The Bulletproof Diet by Dave Asprey. This way of drinking coffee is popular with those who follow a ketogenic diet.
You only need to mix the following ingredients in a blender:
- two cups (470 ml) of coffee
- two tablespoons (28 grams) of grass-fed unsalted butter
- one to two tablespoons (15–30 ml) of Medium-Chain Triglyceride or coconut oil.
And voilà, your bulletproof coffee is served!
Fact:
Medium-Chain Tryglyceride or MCT can help you with weight loss, and decrease metabolic syndrome, abdominal obesity, and even inflammation.
If you want more flavor and creaminess, you can also use coconut milk, cocoa powder, and vanilla as additives depending on how you like it!
9. Dalgona Coffee
Dalgona coffee is a trendy coffee recipe originating from Korea. Its hype peaked all over social media. Especially during the lockdowns, you can make your own recipe with simple ingredients that can be found in your pantry.
It also doesn’t need fancy equipment, it’s impressive how fast and simply it could be prepared.
That is if you think stirring 400 times is simple. 🥣😱
With this recipe, coffee, sugar, and hot water are whisked in a bowl until creamy and velvety with a stiff peak. Now you can add it on top of hot or cold milk. Although the iced version is more popular.
“Dalgona” is a name for a beloved Korean sugary street snack. Dalgona coffee itself does not have anything to do with the snack though.
But the way it is taste is very similar to the burnt sugar candies, which is why Korea’s Jung Il-woo used it as a name for this coffee during a contest.
Ilwoo’s Mukbang at Macau [Stars' Top Recipe at Fun-Staurant/2020.01.13]
10. Irish Coffee
Irish coffee is an alcoholic beverage made with Irish whiskey, hot coffee, and two types of sugar.
Wait —what? Whiskey?!
You read that right. Irish Coffee is a sweet, boozy coffee drink.
The strong coffee gives you a deep, rich flavor. Now, the two types of sugar impart a sweet flavor, while the heavy cream imparts a satisfying full mouth feel. I find this kind of indulgence out of this world!
If you decide to make it at home remember to never boil the coffee, whiskey, or sugar. And as soon as you pour it into a glass and top it with cream; serve the coffee immediately.
The Buena Vista Cafe in San Francisco popularized Irish coffee in America but Chef Joe Sheridan invented it in Ireland. The cafe sold millions of its perfected Irish Coffees since 1952.
You can still get Irish coffee at the Buena Vista to this day.
11. Vietnamese
Vietnamese coffee is an intensely strong and sweet coffee that will wake you up and get you ready for the day.
The main items that make coffee Vietnamese are Robusta coffee, condensed milk, and a phin filter.
Source: https://sprudge.com/coffee-in-vietnam-history-phin-facts-and-myths-173037.html
The flavor can be slightly acidic due to some oils not being filtered out during preparation, but it usually has a smooth taste. This ranges from bitter-sweet depending on how long the coffee is extracted.
12. With Syrups
Source: https://thedomesticdietitian.com/homemade-flavored-coffee-syrups/
Coffee syrup is a type of flavoring that is commonly used in cafés and coffee shops. It can be added to hot or cold coffee and other coffee beverages. Simple syrup for example is very handy to mix even in iced coffee eliminating any wait time for sugar granules to dilute.
If you have a sweet tooth and want to enjoy different flavors in your coffee this is quite a great way how to take your coffee. You can make it taste delectable with salted caramel syrup, white chocolate syrup, and blueberry syrup.
If you want something relaxing, you can even use lavender syrup to fight off the jitters coffee gives.
Syrups can also be added in to sparkling water, baked goods such as cakes and bread, or as a drizzle over ice creams to enhance their taste.
13. Plain black
We’ve been talking about sweet, creamy, or seasonal coffee, but we can’t leave out the most popular way people drink coffee every day —plain black.
Yup, plain old but not necessarily boring coffee. You can try a long black coffee and just sit back and relax as you contemplate the day you ahead.
Coffee has a lot of health benefits. Just remember to consume it in moderation. You can easily how to make black coffee for weight loss and safely make it part of your daily routine.
How do you like your coffee?
There are different ways to drink coffee and most of the ingredients are already in your pantry.
This makes it all the more exciting for coffee lovers and casual drinkers. How do you drink your coffee depends on your preferences. Do you like your coffee creamy? Do you want something sweet?
Your kitchen is your oyster! Did you find your favorite way to drink coffee on our list? Let us know how you like your coffee in the comments below!
.jpg)
