Coconut Oil Supercharged Coffee

I don’t know about you, but coffee plays a very important role in my life. Not only do I need a strong cup of coffee in the morning to complete my breakfast routine, but as a writer I often need the stimulation of coffee while I work, as well as the idea of a warm mug or cup next to me to facilitate the creative process. I try to stick with just 1-2 cups of coffee per day, and I’ve learned to substitute hot tea or other beverages so coffee overload isn’t affecting my sleep or giving me the jitters during the day.

Here enters the latest “fad” in the health foods world – Coconut Oil Supercharged  Coffee. It plays off the idea of the Bulletproof Coffee, where coffee is brewed and mixed in a blender with grass-fed butter to create a foamy latte that contains “healthy fats” for a mental and physical boost. Although grass-fed better may have it’s merits, especially compared to more generic butter, it’s still dairy – not ideal and not cruelty free. But some amazing person came up with the vegan version! Instead of butter, use plant-based fats from coconut oil. It doesn’t have any of the negative health effects of butter and it doesn’t involve using animals or animal product.

I made Coconut Oil Supercharged Coffee nearly every day this past fall and winter, and guess what? I didn’t get sick at all, other than a brief allergy stint upon moving from one region of Texas to another (climate changes tend to affect me like that). My rockin’ immune system was courtesy of the coconut oil, which is a natural anti-bacterial and antiseptic. It’s also loaded with healthy fats for your brain and it makes your coffee taste like a million times better! A foamy, dreamy latte you can make yourself with two ingredients.

Yes, let’s celebrate the fact that with two simple ingredients you can have a latte at home instead of paying five dollars to buy one at a coffee shop ? But keep in mind that the quality of these two ingredients is what makes this recipe the healthier option. I recommend buying an organic and/or fair trade coffee. Buying the whole beans and grinding them at home is the best way to go, but it’s not possible for everyone and in that case it’s fine to buy ground coffee. It’s what I use at the moment. Make sure your coconut oil is organic, cold-pressed, and unrefined. Other than these two ingredients, you will need a blender + your favorite non-dairy milk/creamer.

Ingredients for 3 servings:

• 3 cups of cold, filtered water
• 8 tbsp of ground coffee
• 4 tbsp of coconut oil (not melted)
• optional – non-dairy milk/creamer, cinnamon, Vegan Vanilla Whipped Cream, toasted coconut chips

Instructions:

1. Brew your coffee as you normally would.
2. Pour the coffee into a blender. Add the coconut oil and blend for about five seconds.
3. Pour into your favorite mug, add milk or desired toppings.

Look at those perfect little bubbles!

Here’s a few tips for the best cup of supercharged coffee:

• Pour the coffee into the blender as soon as it’s done brewing. And don’t blend for more than a few seconds, otherwise the air will cool the coffee right off. If you want a cold version of this drink, try my Creamy Vegan Coffee Milk.
• Coconut oil that is melty or warm won’t give you very good foam. The firmer it is the better. Sometimes I’ll pop it in the fridge for several minutes before using it.
• I personally will add a little soy milk to my mug and a teaspoon or two of full fat coconut milk before pouring the coffee in. It’s really delicious! If you want to go crazy with the coconut products, you can make some Vegan Vanilla Whipped Cream and dollop it on top.
• That being said, if rich foods tend to upset your stomach easily, go light on the coconut oil. I’ve noticed when I use too much of it in my coffee, I can get a stomach ache.

This supercharged coffee not only tastes great and gives you a caffeine jolt, but it’s full of healthy fats and nutrients that will boost your immunity year round. If you’re going to drink coffee, you may as well get all the health benefits from it!

Jillian ?