Research into coffee drinking habits tells us that only eighteen percent of coffee drinkers take their java black without sweeteners, cream or milk, or other flavoring. Assuming that you would like something a bit more than a sweetener, milk or cream with your coffee, what are the best flavored coffees? Another issue is this. Does adding a flavor to your coffee overpower coffee’s natural flavor and aroma? Or are there flavorings that enhance the natural flavor and aroma of your coffee?
Most Common Coffee Flavors
The most commonly used coffee flavorings include amaretto, French vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, mocha, peppermint, cinnamon, maple, butterscotch, and pumpkin spice. Some flavorings and coffee drinks are seasonal like eggnog coffee or Irish coffee. As noted in a recent article in The New York Times, an article about complicated coffee orders explained how often times less is more and better in the coffee world.
Thomas Edison and the Flavor of Your Coffee
When the inventor of the electric lightbulb, movie camera, and phonograph hired a new young scientist he always invited them to eat dinner at his home. One promising young scientist with impeccable credentials was not offered a job. When asked why Edison said that the young person lacked curiosity. They salted their steak before tasting it. In regard to coffee flavorings and your coffee, we suggest that you taste your coffee before adding hazelnut, mocha, or pumpkin spice. Maybe you will decide that you don’t need so much, or any flavoring, after all.
Making the Best of Average Coffee
Not everyone can afford to buy gourmet coffee, whole beans, imported directly from Colombia. Even though you can find excellent coffee at great prices in Colombia, the cost of shipping small quantities may be prohibitive for someone living on a budget. Thus, one may find themself looking for ways to improve flavor or mask bitterness of the coffee they are buying at the store. Here is where adding a tasty flavoring like hazelnut, mocha, or cinnamon may be a good idea. As a rule you do not need to use excessive amounts of flavorings to accomplish this task.
Cloves, Nutmeg, or Cardamon to Augment the Flavor of Your Coffee
Flavors not commonly used with coffee are clove, cardamon, or nutmeg. However, each of these can be used in moderation to enhance the natural flavor of your coffee. Clove is very aromatic. When used with a wood-toned coffee like one from Colombia it can enhance the normal flavor of a great coffee. Nutmeg can be used with stronger and spicier coffees to add more depth to natural spicy and nutty flavors. When used with an earthy Indonesian coffee, cardamon adds more of a hint of spice and earthy tones.
Taste Test Before Deciding on a Coffee Flavor for Your Life
We humans are creatures of habit. When we get into the habit of drinking a given flavored coffee, we may end up missing out on a whole world of coffee flavorings or excellent coffee without added flavoring. We strongly suggest that coffee lovers who crave something extra try out several different flavoring and even follow the advice of Mr. Edison to taste their coffee (steak) before adding flavoring (salt)! You may find that the high quality Colombian coffee you are drinking has more than enough flavor and aroma without adding anything else.