Lately, social media is bustling with information about the benefits of coconut. Want healthy skin and hair? Use coconut oil. Want a good immune system? Drink coconut water. Computer playing up? Throw a coconut at it.
So, how true are these facts? And what are the coconut coffee benefits? We know that coffee alone is full of health benefits for us. If we add coconut to that mix, we could have a super-charged cup of healthy deliciousness!
What is Coconut Coffee?
The addition of coconut oil to our diets is a fairly new thing. Coconut oil contains saturated fats. In the past, we were led to believe that these were bad for us.
Now, health professionals are telling us that we should introduce these fats into our bodies. They are shorter than other fats, so our body doesn't need to do as much work to break them down. This means we get energy more quickly from them, and our bodies don't store them as extra fat.
People began adding flavors and spices to the coffee almost as soon as they started drinking it! In the Middle East, drinkers often add cardamom for an exotic taste and health benefits. In Vietnam, it's tradition to make coffee with egg yolk. But where did the idea for coconut flavored coffee begin? And what are the coconut coffee benefits?
When you brew your fresh coffee, you can simply add coconut oil to the brewer. If you haven't tried it yet, I suggest giving it a go! Imagine the fusion of rich coffee and exotic coconut. That's surely a treat for your nose and your taste buds!
You can buy coconut oil in health stores and most supermarkets.
A Brief History of Coconut Coffee
It's impossible to say how the birth of coconut coffee first came about. However, a good estimate tells me that it may have begun in South-East Asia. So many Asian countries, like Vietnam, are top coffee producers. They also have trees that are abundant with coconuts. It's likely that they began to add coconut to help battle any bitterness in their coffee.
It was in the recent year of 2009 that coconut coffee took over in the United States and other Western countries. An entrepreneur, Dave Asprey was hiking in the mountains in Tibet. It was there that he came across his first taste of the local drink, Yak Butter Tea. He found that the drink gave him instant energy and vitality.
Asprey discovered that Tibetans had been drinking this beverage for centuries. Apparently, some locals drank as much as 60 cups per day! Americans average 1.26 cups of coffee per day. This puts us to shame, right?!
Asprey took inspiration from the Yak Butter Tea and made some adjustments for the Western palate. He knew about the American preference for coffee over tea, so he substituted this. He added butter and MCT oil, to try to mirror the taste and nutritional qualities. He called the product Bulletproof Coffee.
Asprey markets his product by emphasizing coconut coffee weight loss properties. He also recommends that you drink Bulletproof Coffee for breakfast. This should make you feel full and energized throughout the day. Other breakfast foods can give you a spike of energy, but make you crash shortly afterward.
Coconut Coffee Benefits
I wanted to take a look at what the experts were saying! The experts are people that aren't trying to market their products to us but want to provide good, solid information. Here are some of the coconut coffee benefits you can expect if you switch to this drink.
- Coconut can stimulate hair growth. Coconut is regularly used in shampoos for its nourishing qualities. It can give you thicker hair and keep that hair healthy. It's also used for medical reasons, to help those with hair growth problems.
- A healthier sweet treat. It's a good idea to swap the milk or cream in your coffee for coconut. It gives you a healthier, lower-fat alternative. It's tasty too, and will make a smooth, frothy drink! You can add coconut crystals instead of sugar to make your coffee sweeter.
- Coconut oil contains lauric acid. Lauric acid is like your personal body guard! It has antifungal, antibacterial and antiviral properties. It helps to treat parasites and keep illness at bay.
- Slows down the aging process. Both coffee and coconut are rich in antioxidants. Together, they're a dream team you'll want to be drinking! Antioxidants reduce stress on the liver and assist with other internal processes. Coconut and coffee are great for your mind and body alike.
- Get longer-lasting energy. Coconut oil is great for endurance. It provides a quick boost of energy that can last throughout the day. This is why so many athletes drink coconut water every day.
- A treatment for Alzheimer's disease. Some doctors actually give coconut oil to sufferers of Alzheimer's disease. Coconut oil produces ketones that increase energy and can help improve brain function. On top of this, coffee has been proven to help with memory and cognitive functions.
- Medicinal uses. Coconut oil has been used for traditional medical uses for a long time. Many modern doctors now echo some of this older medicine as they're seeing the benefits. Coconut oil has been used to treat asthma, colds, infections, nausea, kidney stones, ulcers and more.
- Weight loss. If you want to lose weight without making too many drastic changes to your diet, add coconut to your coffee! Coconut can increase the good cholesterol in your body and speed up metabolism. It increases energy and has been proven to help with weight loss.
How to Make Coconut Coffee
Coconut coffee is an amazing alternative to a creamy latte, that may have just a few too many calories! For a smooth and tasty cup, try this coconut coffee recipe. To save time, you can purchase pre-blended bags of coconut powder and coffee powder. However, I always encourage you to brew fresh coffee and use fresh ingredients!
Here's how you can make a cup of coffee at home, with that exotic coconut touch.
You will need:
- Fresh ground coffee beans (enough for 1 shot)
- Coconut oil (1-2 tsp)
- Unsalted butter (1 tbsp)
- Hot water (1 cup)
- Coffee brewer
- Blender
- Cup/glass
- Optional extras: coconut sugar, raw honey, vanilla extract, peppermint extract
| The method |
|---|---|
1. | Make your cup of coffee. Brew your coffee the way you like it. Buy fresh whole coffee beans and grind them yourself if you have the time. Make enough for one cup of coffee. |
2. | Blend the ingredients. Butter isn't necessary but can add to the taste and creaminess! Always go with unsalted butter, as salty coffee tastes horrible! Put all ingredients into your blender, with any optional extras you like. Blend on high for 20 seconds until the mixture is frothy. |
3. | Drink and reap the benefits. Your healthy hit of coffee should be light and creamy. Pour it into your cup and drink immediately. Notice your new-found energy and repeat each day! |
Coconut Coffee Beans
Did you know that you can buy coffee beans that are already infused with coconut? You'll find coconut coffee beans for sale on a range of specialized coffee websites. This flavored coffee has all the health benefits of coffee and coconut, but someone has done the work for you!
Blends are likely to come from places like Hawaii or Colombia. You'll notice a creamy cup of coffee with that fresh, tropical hint of coconut. It's easy to make a cup of coconut coffee this way!
I advise buying whole coconut coffee beans and grinding them yourself as you need them. This way, the coffee will stay fresh and you won't compromise the flavor. Brew the beans just as you would with your regular coffee! You may find that you don't need to add sugar or milk as the cup is already sweet and creamy.
Serve with a slice of coconut pie for an extra delicious treat!
What if I don't want to Drink Coconut Coffee?
The taste of coconut coffee is suitable for those that may not even like the coffee flavor. Coconut can overpower the taste and make the drink ideal for just about anyone! However, you don't have to consume coconut coffee to notice the benefits. Here are some other ways you can use it.
Body scrub
Some companies are mixing coconut coffee into body scrubs. This product is ideal for anyone with sensitive skin who prefers to use natural products. The coconut will hydrate and nourish the skin, while the coffee exfoliates. The result? Soft, fresh and supple skin.
Coconut oil doesn't block the pores and the fats form a protective barrier around the skin. The empowering scent will also give you a revitalizing boost in your morning shower!
Hair wash
People at home are making DIY hair treatments with coffee and coconut. You can pour cold brewed coffee over wet hair after shampooing. Coffee can exfoliate the scalp and help with hair growth. Experts say this is because it increases blood circulation and stimulates hair roots.
Add coconut oil for an extra moisturizing property and a fresh scent.
The Bottom Line
I personally love the scent of anything coconut, so am happy to jump on this bandwagon! Follow the recipe here for the best coconut coffee. Enjoy the taste, aroma and the many health benefits when you add it to your daily diet!
You can add coconut oil to just about anything. What do you like to use it with?
