Photo by Nathan Dumlao

Originally Posted On: “Bean” Thinking About a New Brew? Alternatives to Your Morning Cup of Joe | Feast Magazine (feast-magazine.co.uk)

If you are looking to shake up your coffee horizons, there is a whole world in front of you! There are so many different types of coffee drinks waiting for you to enjoy that there are just too many to name, but if you are looking to venture into different avenues, here are some things to try.

“Bulletproof” Coffee 

Something trendy in ketogenic and health circles, the idea came from Tibetan coffee makers. Bulletproof coffee is, in essence, coffee with butter blended into it. The bulletproof coffee is a twist on the traditional Tibetan butter coffee but using high-quality coffee beans that have been rid of any mycotoxins while being blended with butter and a teaspoon of MCT oil. MCT oil is a type of fat found in coconut. The idea behind this coffee variation is that it replaces your breakfast as now, many resources have proven that you do not need to fear the fat! While you may not like the idea of a buttery coffee first thing in the morning, you can add a bit more flavour to it by incorporating coconut oil. If you are looking to get a protein hit, you can also add collagen protein.

Turkish Coffee 

Another type of coffee that has a full body and aroma. Turkish coffee is hard to find in traditional shops, but you can make your own Turkish coffee, but the key ingredient is how it is made. You start with cold filtered water, and you make the coffee in a copper pot called a Cezve. Turkish coffee is hard to come by, but you can purchase it online. The process is a quick one and only takes 3 to 4 minutes. The characteristic of Turkish coffee is that a dark foam builds up as the coffee warms. The custom is to leave the phone on top. In addition, you can start to flavour it with sugar, as well as different types of flower such as salep, but you can also flavour it with cardamom. In fact, cardamom coffee boasts a number of health benefits and is a very fragrant departure from traditional coffees. The traditional Turkish coffee is usually served with something small and sweet, like a Turkish Delight. If you’re looking for something a little bit more exotic with your morning brew, this is definitely one to try.

Irish Coffee 

This is definitely one that you cannot try first thing in the morning! In essence, it is a coffee cocktail made with sugar, cream and Irish whiskey. Legend has it that the coffee was invented by Joe Sheridan, a chef, who gave it to American passengers during the harsh winter of 1940 coffee, but added whiskey to warm up the passengers. An Irish coffee is first made with espresso at the bottom, then whiskey, and finally whipped cream. You can add a teaspoon of brown raw cane sugar to give it an extra bite. But make sure that you use high-quality Irish whiskey. It is quite potent, so a little goes a long way! Traditionally, Irish coffee is served after dinner but is wonderful to sip on during cold winter nights.

Affogato 

Another wonderful after-dinner treat, the combination of espresso and gelato, is a wonderful way to add cream to your coffee with more than a hint of sweetness! An affogato may be a beverage, or it may be dessert, but it definitely needs trying. The affogato originally came from Milan, and the word literally translates to “drowned” as you first add espresso to a cup. The gelato ice cream is added to the bitter espresso, giving you a very creamy coffee flavour. A perfect choice if you want a sweet treat after your main meal but without too much sugar. The great thing about coffee, in general, is that it speeds up your metabolism, so any guilt you may have by having some ice cream could be partially offset by the espresso!

The right coffees can be as cultured and sophisticated as the many varieties of wine, and if you are looking to make a significant change to your coffee habits, the best thing you can do is start sampling what the world has to offer. We can all go for a frappuccino or a caramel macchiato when we head to our local coffee shop, but there is a lot more than the world has to offer. The next time you head to the coffee shop, peruse a bit further away from your usual choices, you will not regret it!