Looking to give your daily cup of coffee a boost? Introduce new flavors to the routine by adding these ingredients, many of which you may find in your pantry. 

Try these and tag us #edibleSDcoffee

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Nutty

Bring an extra level of warmth and subtle sweetness to your cup of joe with the addition of nuts.  

How? 

Add a teaspoon of walnut oil to the bottom of your cup and pour in your hot coffee.  Walnut oil is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids and rich in several minerals and vitamins. Another way to elevate the nuttiness is by swirling a dollop of smooth peanut butter directly into your hot coffee, or blend together and pour over ice for a creamy, cool beverage that packs a protein boost.  

Tip: Looking to take your after-dinner coffee up a notch?  Add a shot of local distillery Skrewball Whiskey's peanut butter whiskey for a real twist!

Skrewball Whiskey

Floral

Flowers and coffee may not seem like a match, but you will be met with a truly floral bouquet that is calming and not-too-sweet.

How?

Add dried culinary calendar or rose on top of your coffee grounds and lightly crush them. Brew as normal. You can also add the dried flowers to your already brewed coffee. Give them a swirl, taste, and remove when the flavor is right. Orange blossom water is also an easy way to achieve a light, floral taste. Add a few drops (a little goes a long way) and feel like you’re taking your Zoom calls from a botanical garden.

Acai Roots
Andrew Donovan
Acai Roots
Andrew Donovan

Citrus

Ever ran out of fresh beans and resorted to using some old grounds you found stashed in the back of your cupboard? Use citrus to cut the bitterness. 

How?

Lemon or lime peel brings a citrusy element that not only adds extra vitamin C and zest to the morning routine, but will neutralize stale, bitter flavors and balance acidity. Next time you are at your local farmers markets, grab some citrus from your favorite growers.

iStock.com/Dzevoniia

Sweet

Move aside white sugar. There are alternative sweeteners to sweeten your cup with. 


How?

An easy swap is pure honey. Make sure to use a local high-quality brand like Mikolich Honey to ensure you reap the benefits of antioxidants that honey carries. A drop of pure vanilla or almond extract will also provide a delightful element of flavor without sugar. Try adding cacao nibs to your whole beans and grind together to achieve a healthy mocha flavor. Cacao nibs are naturally low in sugar or sugar-free and rich in many minerals such as magnesium, iron, and zinc. Try these nibs from Acai Roots, which is based in San Diego. Roasting the nibs beforehand will cut the bitterness.

Cleo Skincare

Spiced

Use natural spices to add flavor to your coffee without the sugar-laden or artificially sweetened creamers. 

How? Adding a dash of cinnamon, cardamom, or ginger (or try all three together) will not only enhance the flavor of coffee, but you will also reap the benefits of these powerful antioxidants.  Spices can also be added directly to grounds before brewing for a perfectly seasoned cup.

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About the Contributor
Maria Hesse
Maria Hesse is the executive editor and designer of Edible San Diego. Her interest in functional arts led to a degree in interior design, which inspires her passion to be an advocate for sustainable living through food. She enjoys balcony gardening and designing crochet patterns in her downtime. Find her @mariafromediblesd and @waysidestudiowest on Instagram.
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Trisha Weinberg
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