Coconut oil in coffee has been gaining popularity as a healthier alternative to traditional creams and sugars. Not only does it add a delicious and creamy texture to your coffee, but it also offers a host of health benefits.
Coconut oil is rich in medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), which are easily metabolized by the body and converted into energy. It also contains lauric acid, which has been shown to boost immunity and promote weight loss.
So, lets dive deeper into the health benefits, how to make one and how to know how much coconut oil you should add so you can the maximum benefits.
Coconut Oil Coffee Recipe
Its not a difficult process and you can blend it manually or mechanically. Although, you could just spoon a tablespoon of coconut oil directly into a brewed cup of coffee, Here is a simple recipe for making coconut oil coffee:
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of freshly brewed coffee
- 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of grass-fed butter (optional)
- Sweetener of your choice (optional)
Instructions:
- Brew a cup of coffee and pour it into a blender.
- Add 1 tablespoon of coconut oil and 1 tablespoon of grass-fed butter (if using).
- Blend on high speed for 20-30 seconds, until the mixture is creamy and frothy.
- Pour the coffee mixture into a mug and sweeten to taste, if desired.
- Enjoy your delicious and nutritious coconut oil coffee!
Note: You can also use a hand frother or a French press to make your coconut oil coffee. Just be sure to blend or stir the coffee thoroughly to ensure the oil is fully incorporated.
I would, however, recommend that you use your blender or something similar. The reason is you really want the coconut oil to melt and blend with your coffee and the easiest and quickest way is with a blender.
Coconut Oil Health Benefits
1. Increases Your Energy
You are already going to have a boost of energy from the coffee itself but by adding Coconut Oil, the MCT’s that in it are absorbed more quickly and so your energy levels go up.
2. Boosts The Immune System
Coconut Oil has a surprisingly high number of properties that help your immune system, the 2 most influential are the acids Lauric and Caprylic. The combination of these 2 properties help fight off a number of pathogens and viruses and therefore make coconut oil an excellent and natural immunity system booster
3. Speeds Up The Metabolism
If you have a metabolism that is maybe slower then other or perhaps your getting to the age where your not burning as many calories as before, then adding coconut oil they say can increase your calories burned to about 200 more a day!
4. Keeps Hunger at Bay
Because Coconuts have MCT’s, you will often feel fuller longer and so you’ll want to eat as much.
How Much Coconut Oil Should I Use?
I would suggest that you start with no more than 2 tablespoons per day, and most people typically start off using 1 tablespoon of coconut oil per cup of coffee.
The reason they start with this ratio is that at the beginning you are not sure how your body will react at first to the coconut oil.
For example, if you add to much, you may find yourself quickly going to the bathroom. So you start off with a small amount and adjust as needed. One may need to work up to consuming more depending on how well it is digested or tolerated (without having a laxative effect).
Once you have everything you want in the blender , just turn it on and blend it up until you see that the coffee starts to look a light brown color and then it’s basically done!
4 different types of Coconut Oil?
When it comes to choosing the kind of coconut oil to get, there are basically 2 two types. Both are pure coconut oils, the difference between the 2 is how they are refined in the oil making process. The two types are:
1. Unrefined Coconut Oil
This is also known as virgin or pure coconut oil and is taken from a green or “fresh” coconut. When its fresh like this, there are 2 ways in which it is processed:
2. Quick Drying
The is the quick drying method which is the way it is done most of the time and what you will find most often in the stores or on Amazon. The meat inside the coconut is dried rapidly and then the oil within the meat is squeezed out mechanically.
3. Wet Milling
As the name implies , with this method, the oil is taken or pressed from the coconut before drying the meat. What you have at this point is “Coconut Milk” . It then goes through another process in order to further separate the oil from the water such as boiling it out. There are also more technical ways such as fermentation, refrigeration which is the traditional way of making coconut oil.
4. Refined Coconut Oil
This method has only one way of extraction and its by first drying the coconut by baking it and and then bleached with clay filtration. Since, with the method you have a clear mild tasting oil, it mostly used for things such as beauty products like hair conditioners and for some foods if you aren’t looking for a bold coconut taste.
Bottom Line: For coffee, I recommend that you go with virgin or unrefined coconut oil!
Final Thoughts
Should you try to make coconut oil part of your daily coffee routine or at least drink it a few times a week? If you’re just trying to cut calories or limit your fat intake, then you should probably skip this drink.
But if you’re curious about the keto diet or looking to replace your frappe with extra whip to something more healthy for you, then I say give it a shot.
