Sometimes we need to treat ourselves. A decadent piece of cake or a luxurious cup of coffee can be just the ticket! Often, we deprive ourselves of these goodies, though they can be exactly what we need to make our day a little better.
The best French vanilla coffee can do just that. It can make you feel a little naughty and indulgent. But it can also make your day that much better! Let's see how these coffee beans can inject some luxury into your life.
All About French Vanilla Coffee
Let's begin by answering the question, what is French vanilla coffee? It is flavored coffee made from 100% Arabica beans. Vanilla flavoring is added to the mix during the roasting process. Roasters will often use a medium roast. Any higher and there's a risk of burning the flavor.
French vanilla can offer a light, but exotic taste and a beautiful aroma. Gourmet coffee boomed in the 1990's. While flavored coffee helps to improve the taste, it can also increase shelf life. The extra taste can disguise aging or oxidized beans.
You can enjoy this drink at any time of the day! Morning, afternoon or to accompany a dessert. It's really all about when that craving pops up. Many people choose to add milk and/or sugar to their coffee for extra creamy sweetness. Remember, if you do this, keep an eye out for those extra French vanilla coffee calories!
Oh.... and just like French fries, French kissing, and French manicures, the coffee doesn't come from France! The name describes the style of roasting, the French roast. The result is a caramel taste and a dark brew. It actually comes from North America!
Flavoring Oils in Coffee
Arabica coffee is usually used for flavored coffee because of their low levels of acidity and bitterness. They help the flavor of the oils to pop through the coffee bean flavor.
Flavoring oils are made up of natural and synthetic flavor chemicals. In this case, the oils are extracted naturally from vanilla beans. Flavor chemists are able to blend different oil combinations to come up with new tastes. The idea is to mask some of the stronger coffee taste, but not fully take over it.
Despite the popularity of vanilla nowadays, it can be quite difficult to come across. The only country where vanilla can be naturally pollinated is Mexico. This is because no other bees know how to pollinate a vanilla flower. Those Mexican bees are pretty clever! In every other country, hand-pollinating is necessary.
How to Make the Best French Vanilla Coffee
You can make French vanilla coffee at home by buying vanilla oil and adding it during the brewing process. However, you can also buy French vanilla coffee beans. Buying online is a good option, as you'll be able to read reviews and choose the best option for you.
Here is a simple recipe on how to make French vanilla coffee for 4 people. You'll notice I advise grinding the beans yourself to achieve the best French vanilla coffee.
You will need:
- French vanilla coffee beans (1/2 cup)
- Hot water (4 cups)
- Milk and sugar (optional)
- Grinder
- French press (or brewer of choice)
- Cup
- Long spoon
| The Method |
|---|---|
1. | Grind the beans. Just grind the amount of beans you need. This is the best way to keep them fresher for longer. The grind size should be coarse if you're using a French press. For other brew methods like drip coffee maker or pour over, use a medium grind size. |
2. | Add the grounds and water. Add the grounds to your French press, before pouring in the water. Give it a stir using an up and down motion. |
3. | Wait a while. Allow the grounds to steep for 4 minutes. |
4. | Plunge. When the time is up, press the handle of the plunger. Push it all the way to the bottom. You can then pour the coffee and drink it. |
French Vanilla Iced Coffee
You may have noticed the big coffee chains jumping on the French vanilla bandwagon. And rightly so! They often add a twist and offer a chilled version to their customers. You can mirror the popular drink with this French vanilla iced coffee recipe.
You will need:
- Ice (1 cup)
- Brewed French vanilla coffee (1 cup)
- Cream or milk (2 tbsp)
- Sugar (optional)
- Tall glass
- Long spoon
| The Method |
|---|---|
1. | Brew the coffee. Use the instructions above to brew the coffee as you normally would. It's a good idea to then let the coffee cool down a little. |
2. | Fill the glass. Fill the glass to the top with ice cubes. Then add your chilled (or room temperature) coffee into that glass. It should go almost to the top. You can then choose whether you want to add milk or cream. Can't make the decision? Go for half and half! If you want all-out luxury, the cream is the way to go. For a lighter version, choose non-fat milk. |
3. | Add sugar and stir. If you like sweetness, add 1-2 tsp of sugar here. Afterward, give the whole thing a stir. You'll get to watch the creamy swirls sink to the bottom. |
4. | Drink. Add a straw (if you like) and drink up! It's a perfect drink for a hot day, and the vanilla aromas will still shine through. Drink quickly to avoid the ice melting and making your coffee too watery. |
Nutritional Information of French vanilla coffee
You'll be glad to know that even the best French vanilla coffee won't put a strain on your waistline. The extra calories come when you throw in cream, sugar or other additions. If you add 1 tbsp of whole milk, you're adding 9 calories. Add just 1 tsp of sugar, and you welcome another 16 calories to your drink.
Here's the nutritional information for a French vanilla, without any extras. The information below is for a 10 oz serving of the coffee. However, nutrition counts can vary with different brands.
Calories | 20 |
Caffeine content | 60 mg |
Sugar content | 31 g |
Carbohydrates | 4 g |
Protein | 1 g |
The Bottom Line
We have the Mexican bees to thank for the tasty flavor of vanilla! It's difficult to pinpoint who decided to put vanilla into coffee, but we've never looked back since!
Though vanilla is a rare flavor, on paper, it has taken over the coffee world. French vanilla coffee offers drinkers a rich, luxurious cup that they can make at home or buy in cafes. You can drink it at any time of the day or year, especially with this iced coffee recipe!
What are your thoughts on the French vanilla coffee? Is it the best coffee flavor out there?
