October 5, 2023

Viral Coffee Hacks

About Nicole Pajer

Nicole Pajer is a Los Angeles-based freelance published in The New York Times, Woman's Day, AARP, Parade, Wired, Glamour, People and more.

multiple coffee cups on a green background

Tired of your everyday morning coffee? Maybe you’ve been tempted by one of the many different “coffee hacks” that are currently trending on social media. Here are just a few of the trends and what you might want to know if you are considering trying any of these suggestions.

Coffee and lemon: This coffee hack has gained recent popularity on the social media platform TikTok for its potential health benefits and unique flavor combination. Coffee is already generally rich in antioxidants, which have been said to reduce the spread of free radicals, and the reduction of free radicals may be able to help prevent some diseases. “Adding lemon juice to coffee can enhance the antioxidant content, as lemons are a good source of vitamin C and other beneficial compounds,” says Lisa Richards, a certified nutrition coach who specializes in digestive health. “Lemon juice is also known to stimulate digestion and promote the production of digestive enzymes.” Just squeeze a lemon wedge into your morning cup of joe to experience the combination of coffee's rich, bitter taste and lemon's tangy, citrusy flavor.

Adding oil to coffee: In the summer of 2023, Starbucks rolled out “Oleato,” a line of olive oil-infused coffee. Then-CEO Howard Schultz drew inspiration from the practice many Italians have of taking a spoonful of olive oil every day, to reap the potential health benefits of the monounsaturated oil. In combining the two, Schultz discovered he liked the way olive oil enhanced the taste of his morning cup of coffee. If you decide to copy the Starbucks leader, take note that some people find the combination to have a laxative effect.

Coffee in protein shakes: Give your morning protein shake an energy boost by adding in a cup of coffee. “The caffeine can improve alertness and potentially enhance athletic performance, while the protein assists with muscle recovery,” says Alex Bayev, a food-blogger and chef. Coffee lovers all over social media are posting their favorite flavors of coffee protein shakes, or “proffees,” including peanut butter, chocolate, banana and vanilla. Top with some whipped cream and enjoy!

Add some cinnamon: Cinnamon has been a common household ingredient for thousands of years due to its potential health benefits and delicious flavor and aroma. For this popular coffee hack, simply add a sprinkle of cinnamon to your coffee or in with the grounds before brewing to give your coffee that extra delicious spice. Cinnamon has been shown to help reduce cholesterol, lower blood sugar levels, decrease stiffness in arteries, reduce inflammation, and it can also act as an antioxidant.

Mushroom coffee: This viral coffee hack involves adding mushroom powder such as the powder of Lion's Mane, Cordyceps, Chaga, Reishi, Turkey Tail, or Shiitake mushrooms to your morning java. Many people love the earthy flavor of mushroom powder and some say it complements the taste of coffee. Some mushroom coffee drinkers claim these powders can also enhance your caffeine fix with some of the alleged health benefits of mushrooms, including their inflammation-reducing properties, and the antioxidants that may provide immune support. In truth, no research has yet provided a definitive answer on the nutritional benefits of mushroom coffee—for best results, stick with eating your mushrooms whole.

Turmeric in coffee: Another coffee hack is mixing in a sprinkle of turmeric powder into your coffee. Turmeric is known for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Turmeric lattes, or “golden milk” with coffee are very popular on social media and involve adding frothed milk (dairy or non-dairy) with turmeric and a touch of sweetener to your coffee. This fragrant and slightly spicy blend will definitely get you going!

Cold brew ice cubes: Are you a fan of cold brew coffee but don’t want it watered down? Try this simple coffee hack: freeze leftover coffee in an ice cube tray and use those for your next morning’s cold brew. This way, when the ice cubes melt, they won't dilute your coffee! Another option includes freezing whatever milk or creamer you prefer to use in your coffee in an ice cube tray and using those frozen cubes for your cold brew.

Alternative sweeteners: You can also consider sweetening your coffee with natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup or trying coconut sugar, which may have a slightly lower glycemic index for some individuals than plain table sugar. And, if you prefer your coffee on the sweeter side but don’t want the added calories of sugar, you could try using natural sweeteners like pure stevia or monk fruit. You may want to consider avoiding or limiting sweeteners mixed with erythritol, which has been linked to blood clots.

Cold brew ice cream: Here’s a simple recipe we found on TikTok for vegan, coffee-based ice cream made with cashews, which are generally rich in vitamins, nutrients, protein, and healthy fats. Just soak a handful of cashews in hot water for a few hours then blend them along with a teaspoon of maple syrup and a cup of cold brew. Freeze the mixture, then reblend for delicious cold brew ice cream.

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