My Morning Cup

Historically I’ve never been much of a coffee drinker. I don’t require it in the morning to get going and always thought it had an odd bitter, taste. In the past, I’ve imbibed it for flavor instead of a caffeine jolt, always preferring lattes over other coffee beverages. Caffeine doesn’t affect me in the typical way. Instead of giving me a boost of short-lived energy, in large amounts it gives me headaches, or in even larger amounts, it makes my heart beat 90 miles an hour.

After I read Renee’s golden milk mocha post last fall, I became intrigued with making my own coffee at home. I’d always purchased lattes while out but I was itching to start a sort of coffee ritual of my own. Plus, I loved that her mocha included a natural sweetener, superfoods like turmeric and cacao, and some healthy fats. After making her version a couple of times, I decided to start perfecting my own morning cup.

Since I’m sensitive to bitter qualities in foods, I tend to prefer a light or medium-light roast. My favorite beans lately are from Cuvee Coffee (fair trade coffee roasted in Austin). Since I only make myself coffee maybe 2 or so times a week, the bag lasts me for about a month. In order to get the freshest beans possible, I buy them whole and always check the roast date on the bag.

In my experimenting over the past couple of months, I’ve settled on a formula I like. It makes just the right sized cup of coffee for me and the added fats smooth out the caffeine absorption. Plus, I can flavor and sweeten it any way that I want. The real secret though is not in the recipe, but in the equipment I use…a blender! I blend everything until it’s nice and frothy like a latte. I’ll include my basic cup below, plus a few other variations that I’m really digging. The method was inspired by Renee of Will Frolic For Food.

My Morning Cup aka The Lazy Latte

8-10 oz strong brewed coffee (I use the French press method)
a pinch of coarsely ground cardamom seed
1 heaping tbsp cashew butter
1 pitted date or a drizzle of honey
1/2 to 1 tsp maca powder (optional, but highly recommended)

While the water heats up, I ready the beans and gently grind a pinch of cardamom seed in my mortar and pestle. I add the ground cardamom along with the coffee grounds to the French press. Once the coffee is brewed and ready, I pour it into my blender and add the cashew butter, the date, and the maca. Blend the mixture until it’s smooth and frothy, then it’s ready to drink! Makes 1 serving.

Minty Mocha

Omit the cardamom and add a heaped tsp cacao powder and a few small fresh mint leaves.

Coconut Chai Spice

Swap in coconut butter for the cashew butter and add a pinch each of cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper.

Halva Latte

Swap in tahini for the cashew butter and use honey in place of the date.