10 Herbal Ingredients To Add To Your Cup Of Coffee
Some people like their coffee pure with no added ingredients. Others only drink coffee in the form of Tik Tok-inspired Starbucks concoctions (often including cream and various different syrups).
However, there’s a middle ground that some people never explore. Adding certain herbal ingredients to your cup of joe can help to add extra flavor without making it unhealthy. In fact, some of these ingredients can even help to enhance the natural taste of your coffee while also carrying added health benefits.
Below are 10 examples of herbal ingredients that can be added to your coffee and the benefits they can have.
Vanilla
If you’ve been looking for a way to sweeten your coffee without sugar, adding some vanilla extract could be the way to go. Similarly, if coffee gives you the jitters, adding some vanilla extract could help to prevent this due to its calming effect. Start by adding no more than ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract. This will often provide a subtle natural sweetness while letting the full taste of the coffee shine through. Just make sure to use extract and not vanilla syrup (which is full of added sugar).
Cinnamon
Cinnamon pairs particularly well with coffee due to its woody flavor (particularly robusta coffee). This can help to bring out the smokiness of your coffee. At the same time, it can add a subtle sweetness. Cinnamon is often seen as a Xmas ingredient, but there’s no reason why you can’t enjoy it at any time of the year. In fact, regularly consuming cinnamon can help to ward off heart disease and diabetes due to the herb’s anti-inflammatory and blood sugar regulating properties. ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon is all you need.
Star anise
Star anise pods are star-shaped herbs that are known for their licorice-like taste. They are regularly used with cinnamon in wintry drinks like mulled wine, but can also be mixed into coffee to add a slight spicy sweetness. Try this infusion by adding 5 pieces of star anise to a french press along with some ground coffee of your choice. Pour in some hot water and let the flavors brew together. Feel free to sprinkle some cinnamon on top. Like cinnamon, star anise has many health benefits and may help to fight off infections.
Cardamom
Cardamom and coffee is a common combo in the Middle East. It can help to add a floral and zesty tone to your coffee. On top of enhancing the taste, cardamom can provide additional health benefits including reducing blood pressure. It also has a fresh aroma that can mask coffee breath. Just how much cardamom should you add to your coffee? It’s a matter of personal preference, but generally you should aim for half a teaspoon of ground cardamom per cup. For an authentic Middle Eastern cardamom coffee, use Harari coffee beans.
Ginger
Ginger is very similar in flavor to cardamom and therefore also goes very well with coffee. It is sometimes also infused with ingredients like cinnamon for a Christmassy taste. One of ginger’s biggest health benefits is its ability to reduce fermentation in the stomach – which can help to combat various digestive issues like nausea, constipation and gas. In fact, ginger is often recommended to pregnant women with morning sickness or people with IBS. When adding ginger to coffee, start with half a teaspoon of ground ginger and work your way up if this is too subtle. Adding too much ginger may overpower the taste of your coffee, so it’s worth experimenting to find the perfect balance.
CBD
CBD oil is derived from the cannabis plant and has a number of health benefits including pain relief and anxiety relief. It has an earth and grass-like taste, which is not always appealing on its own. When added to coffee, the flavor is usually disguised by the coffee, which makes it a great way to consume CBD oil without having to taste it. Add no more than the recommended daily dose on your CBD oil bottle. It’s worth noting that you can buy CBD-infused coffee grounds to skip the need for additional CBD oil.
Peppermint
Adding peppermint extract to coffee can give it a slightly cool and refreshing taste. It may even help prevent coffee breath. Peppermint is known for its calming effects and may help to reduce caffeine jitters and relieve anxiety. This herb can also help to aid digestion much like ginger and could be worth trying if you experience IBs. You’ll probably want to add no more than a teaspoon to get the right flavor balance. Choose stronger coffee strains as these will complement the peppermint better.
Sassafras
Sassafras root is what gives root beer its distinctive flavor. Its spicy and earthy taste complements coffee well – giving it a stronger and richer flavor. This herb may help boost kidney health and help treat UTIs (but should be consumed in moderation as too can be toxic!). Add a few drops of sassafras oil to your morning coffee and mix to infuse the flavors. Alternatively, you can buy coffee grounds that are already infused with sassafras for the perfect blend.
Turmeric
Like sassafras, turmeric is a great coffee flavor enhancer, while adding a slight spicy note to it too. On top of being a great herbal flavoring, turmeric has many health benefits that make it a popular ingredient in herbal medicine. Turmeric has powerful anti-inflammatory effects that make it a natural painkiller. It is also effective at reducing blood cholesterol and is recommended to many people with heart disease. About half a teaspoon of turmeric powder is all you need to add to your coffee.
Rosemary
Rosemary has an earthy taste that can go well with certain earthy blends of coffee (such as Indonesian coffees). This herb also has many health benefits including helping to boost the immune system and improving blood circulation. While you may be able to add rosemary oil to coffee, you can also infuse rosemary and coffee by adding a sprig of rosemary to your cup or french press.
