How To Flavor Coffee Beans? 4 Easy Techniques

People love to drink coffee so much because it has a unique taste. Unlike other flavors which we generally like right away and after getting used to it we decide that we don’t want to drink it anymore, not in the case of coffee. Moreover, the more you drink it the better you feel. Wondering how to flavor coffee beans? The number of flavors in coffee is practically unlimited.

Coffee beans lovers know that there are two options to make your own coffee at home or in a cafe near you: prepare it using ground coffee or by using beans. If you decide to go for the second option, then this article is just for you! You will love the following methods if you do not have any prior experience. Preparing coffee from coffee beans at home will be much easier than it sounds and will take much less time than going to a cafe.

How To Flavor Coffee Beans? 4 Easy Techniques

The same principle that makes tea bags seep fast into hot water is what’s going on when we add flavoring to coffee beans: the essential oils. When you add ground coffee (or tea) to heated water, those oils dissolve quickly and give off their flavor within a couple of minutes of steeping. If we want to release those flavors before the grounds make it all the way into our cup, we’ve got to do some fancy chemistry!

Water + Fat = No Flavor

That’s why, when adding flavor to coffee beans, you’ve got to do it with fat. The best way is to add oil-based ingredients like cinnamon or vanilla. But for this post, the main focus will be on four oils that are perfect for flavoring coffee without changing its texture in the slightest bit: ginger, mint, dried apricot, and dried cherries. These four flavors are the perfect way to add some flair without adding flavor – which can sometimes leave your cup tasting a little muddy.

Not only that, but these flavors pair fantastically with coffee: orange for an almost mocha-like latte and ginger for a spicy kick of caffeine!

1- Ginger

Find the method of how to flavor coffee beans with ginger:

The Ingredients

You’re going to need some supplies for flavoring coffee beans:

You’ll Need:

– A pan

– 1 tbsp of ground ginger (or 2-3 inches of fresh)

– 1/2 cup sugar or xylitol (to taste… or none at all!)

– The zest and juice from a whole orange

– 8 cups of water

– 4 tbsp ground coffee beans that you want to add the flavor to

In terms of quantity, this makes enough for a very strong cup of ginger coffee. If you’re someone who doesn’t like subtlety in their flavors, you can double up on the ginger and cut back on the orange by half (or even skip the orange altogether).

The Method

1. Bring your water to a boil, and add your ginger and zest once it’s boiling. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 10 minutes. Be careful not to get any of this mixture on your hands or face – ginger isn’t fun to get in your eyes!

2. Once the ginger has finished steeping, add the coffee beans and stir until they’re fully saturated. Cover it back up and remove it from heat. Let this mixture steep for 5 minutes.

3. Remove the coffee grounds with a fine mesh strainer, being careful to avoid getting any of the orange zest or ginger pieces in your cup. Serve hot!

For extra flair, you can also add a bit of soy milk for a latte-style drink. If you’re not using the coffee right away (for instance, if you’re bringing it to work), pour it into an airtight jar and keep it in the fridge until use.

2- Mint Leaves

Learn how to flavor coffee beans with mint leaves:

The Ingredients

You’ll Need:

– 1 cup boiling water

– A small handful of fresh mint leaves (about 4)

– The juice of half a lemon

– 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup to taste (optional)

Once you’ve got these items together, just brew your coffee as you regularly would! It’s best to add the mint and lemon juice to your cup before adding in the coffee, but you can start with boiling water and add the flavorings afterward.

The Method

1. If you’re using hot water, this will be a pretty quick process. Steep your mint leaves in your mug for about two minutes before making your coffee or putting them in your teabag.

2. Once your coffee is ready, pour it into your cup and stir in the lemon juice (and optional syrup). If you’re adding ice or cold water to make iced coffee, take that opportunity to add the mint leaves to the bottom of your glass for maximum flavor!

3- Dried Apricot

Learn how to flavor coffee beans with dried apricot:

The Ingredients

You’ll Need:

– 1 cup of dried apricots

This process will be a bit more hands-on, but the end result is totally worth it! The dried fruit infuses your coffee with an almost mocha-like flavor and aroma. To go all out, you can also add a little orange zest to mimic the flavors of a traditional mocha latte.

The Method

1. First, pour your desired amount of ground coffee beans into a bowl. About 1/4 cup is the perfect amount to compliment the apricots without overpowering them. If you’re looking for something with more kick, go ahead and double up on the amount of coffee!

2. Next, take your dried apricots and cut them into small chunks, making sure to remove any seeds.

3. Add both the coffee beans and apricot chunks to a food processor, blender, or even just a plastic bag. Seal it shut before giving it a good shake so that everything is well-mixed together. You can also do this by hand, just be careful not to let any of the apricot seeds get into your coffee.

4. Allow everything to steep for 30-60 minutes before enjoying! Feel free to add a bit of cream and honey if you like things on the sweeter side.

4- Dried Cherries

Find how to flavor coffee beans with dried cherries:

The Ingredients

You’ll Need:

– 1 cup of dried cherries (unsweetened)

This is another great option for adding flavor to hot cocoa, iced coffee, or baked goods. The dark cherries provide a deep, almost chocolatey flavor that will take your drink or treat to the next level!

The Method

1. Place about 1/2 cup of dried cherries into a food processor or blender and pulse them until they’re broken down into small pieces. You can use sweetened dried cherries for this process because it can be a bit messy.

2. Add in your desired amount of ground coffee (1/4 cup) and pulse again until everything is well-mixed together.

3. Allow the mixture to steep for 30-60 minutes before enjoying! This process works best with cold brew, iced coffee, or adding a couple of ice cubes to your drink.

Many connoisseurs insist that the only way to truly enjoy your coffee is with freshly-ground beans. However, this process can be a bit inconvenient, especially when you’re in a hurry. Thankfully, there are plenty of easy ways you can flavor your coffee without worrying about buying new ingredients or using an electric grinder.

Conclusion:

Well, now you have an entire range of options for how to flavor coffee beans! Try them all out and see which one is your favorite. Now you can enjoy your daily cup of java even more than ever before.