We all love black coffee , and many of us even enjoy coffee with various sweeteners and creamers. But have you ever tried expanding your horizons by adding other flavors and spices?
Today we'll examine several ways to add extra flavor to your coffee so you can discover even more interesting and exotic coffee combinations that will delight your palate and keep you coming back for more. We have no doubt that after reading this list, you'll head home to try at least one or more of these.
CINNAMON
Cinnamon is one of the easiest ways to spice up that morning cup of coffee . This spice actually comes from the bark of an evergreen tree known as the Cinnamomum tree.
This spice also has one of the highest antioxidant contents of any spice on the planet, and has even been shown to boost your immune system. Did I mention it tastes great, too?
Add a cinnamon stick to your pot when making your coffee to help the hot coffee extract all that wonderful flavor, or simply add a pinch to a single cup.
Try a specialty coffee with spectacular notes of cinnamon.
CARDAMOM
This spice is commonly used in the Middle East with coffee, but is less well-known in the West. This spice has an exotic, ginger-like flavor, so it will truly give your coffee a unique taste when used correctly.
It also has many health benefits. Cardamom is loaded with fiber and other essential minerals and has been shown to improve circulation.
To use, simply sprinkle a pinch or two into a freshly brewed cup of coffee or add some whole cardamom seeds to your beans before grinding them for brewing.
NUTMEG
If you prefer an earthy note to your morning brew, then you might want to consider nutmeg. Overall, the flavor is slightly sweet. However, it does much more in the sense of smell, giving your coffee a slightly sweet aroma that is truly unique and one everyone should enjoy.
This is harder to measure and, of course, should be used for tasting and smelling. A pinch is usually perfect for a typical cup of coffee, but I encourage you to experiment to find the right blend for your senses.
How about a coffee with notes of citrus, cocoa, and nuts?
COCOA NIBS
Why don't we just say chocolate? That's because chocolate is something different. Cacao nibs are what chocolate is before it's processed into those delicious candy bars we all love.
However, their texture is quite different. They taste very similar to dark chocolate, but with a nuttier and slightly chewier texture.
Add about Β½ teaspoon per two cups of coffee to your coffee grinder along with your beans, and you'll get the cocoa goodness in your coffee that any chocolate lover would crave.
GINGER
We mentioned ginger earlier, as cardamom is very similar. Still, if you don't want to try to find cardamom, you can always try ginger.
If you love gingerbread, then you'll love it in your coffee. This is even a great way to transform your coffee into a unique seasonal beverage.
Try adding a few slices of ginger to your ground coffee before brewing. If you don't have fresh ginger, a tablespoon or two of ground ginger will suffice.
LAVENDER
Another great spice to give your coffee a more spring-like feel, adding lavender to your coffee can transform it and give it a very floral flavor . This spice tends to lend itself better to citrus drinks rather than stronger, darker coffees.
Sprinkle some dried lavender into your grinder and then add your coffee. Be careful not to add too much. If you do, your coffee will have a soapier flavor.
STAR ANISE
Now, this may not be for everyone. Do you like anise? If so, then this may be perfect for you. When blended with high-quality beans , the flavor star anise adds to your coffee is truly unique.
Don't overdo it. If you add too much, the anise flavor will overpower your coffee, no matter how strong you like your cup.
Experiment with it a bit to find the perfect balance for your tastes. If you're not a fan of anise, at least try it, as it might surprise you.
NAIL
Another common household spice, this one seems tailor-made for coffee. A flavor combination that dates back decades, adding cloves to coffee gives it a classic, elegant, and very musky leather sofa feel.
If you buy the spice whole (which you should do for the sake of freshness), you can use your handy coffee grinder before adding it to the ground coffee.
To prepare your coffee, add a few cloves to the strainer and brew. If you're making a single cup, reduce the amount of cloves you use so it doesn't have too strong a flavor.
These are just a few ways to add extra flavor to your coffee , but the list could go on and on. We encourage you to experiment with different spices and test the results to see what you enjoy.
At the end of the day, you'll find it fun and rewarding to try new things with coffee and expand your taste buds.