Let’s start out honestly first, we aren’t exactly dropping the milk- just substituting it for another. After all, as noted in Green Tea VS Yaupon, milk helps absorb Tannins as well as Vitamin C.
The trouble with coffee is its ability to stimulate the stomach linings, causing us hunger and end up feeling more tired than less, causing us to think, “another cup?” Fortunately though, unlike Dunkin’ Donuts philosophy of 99% sugar and 1% coffee, there’s ingredients to add to coffee that increase nutrient absorption and make you feel fuller, longer.
From my article Churning Butter Has Never Been Easier, I note how adding butter has made my energy sustainable longer. However, I wasn’t done with just that. Not until I read through a book called “The Forgotten Home Apothecary” that I begrudgingly decided to try adding more things to it, just to see if it would work. Think, don’t black pepper, turmeric, ginger, and cinnamon sound good together? On tacos sure, but in coffee?? 🤢
While I was hesitant in trying this combo, I’m really glad I did, like I’m really glad. I was so surprised by how well it tasted together. I even added a splash of lemon juice and didn’t notice it. Not only that, but that day I almost skipped lunch because I was so energized up till 2 PM (sorry circadian rhythm). I only had a donut with it (carbs) at 10 AM as well as adding a few teaspoons of butter. Who knew you could add more to coffee than just milk? I guess that’s what’s meant by the book being called “The Forgotten Home Apothecary.”
Why the ingredients?
- Black pepper helps absorption of curcumin in turmeric
- Cinnamon to regulate blood sugar levels
- Ginger for digestion and taste
- (Optional) Coconut MCT oil as a “healthy” alternative to butter
Additional drinks
that help me with inflammation is Peppermint tea. Probably any mint tea will work (spearmint, sage, etc.), when I drank a highly-concentrated coffee and my face started feeling red, I drank Mint tea and it instantly- and I mean instantly went away. I’m not sure why exactly, as I haven’t researched it. I just know that despite Menthol in Mint when applied topically causes me inflammation, consuming it doesn’t.
Other inflammation-fighters include:
- Chamomile
- Lavender
- Borage
Also, Hibiscus tea is a superpower drink that is loaded with Vitamin C, meaning it may be good mixed in coffee to neutralize Tannins.
Takeaway
Despite cultural bias for the cappuccino or espresso, coffee is a tea alike to any other that benefit from the addition of nutrient-absorbing taco ingredients. While I’ve provided a few examples of what to add, I’m sure there’s plenty more- experiment and see what you come up with! I just hope it’s tasty.