Here’s a comprehensive guide on Butter In Coffee, including a simple recipe you can try at home. The idea of adding butter to your coffee might initially seem unappetizing. I, too, initially envisioned a greasy layer floating on my coffee. However, curiosity prevailed, and I decided to give it a shot using a blender.
To my surprise, it turned out to be quite delightful – it was rich, creamy, light, and smooth all at once. But what about the health claims associated with it? Is butter coffee the miraculous health drink that marketers claim it to be? I decided to delve into the scientific research to find out.
What Exactly is Butter Coffee?
Butter In Coffee is a beverage made by blending coffee with butter and typically coconut oil or MCT oil, resulting in a rich and creamy drink. This high-fat, low-carb drink is currently popular among those following intermittent fasting, paleo, or ketogenic diets, but it has a long history.
There’s evidence that the combination of coffee and butter originated in Ethiopia as early as the 9th century, and Tibetans have been consuming yak butter tea or coffee for generations. In Singapore, butter coffee, locally known as nanyang kopi, has been a popular inexpensive breakfast option since the 1930s.
Butter In Coffee Vs Bulletproof Coffee
While butter coffee and Bulletproof coffee are similar, they are not the same. Bulletproof is a brand created by entrepreneur Dave Asprey. His recipe calls for specific coffee beans, strictly uses unsalted, grass-fed butter, and includes MCT oil, which has a higher concentration of medium-chain triglycerides than coconut oil.
Consider butter coffee or coconut oil coffee as a less restrictive version of Bulletproof coffee, with less marketing hype and no need for expensive branded ingredients.
Does Coffee Taste More Pleasing With Butter?
I personally find the taste of Butter In Coffee quite enjoyable. It offers a similar experience to having coffee with cream, yet it’s more nuanced – introducing hints of nuttiness and a mild sweetness.
The main attraction of buttered coffee lies in its texture. Even just stirring butter into my coffee gives it a rich and smooth consistency.
If I use a blender to combine them, it results in a silky lightness that is reminiscent of a latte.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Adding Butter In Coffee?
While there have been numerous health benefits attributed to butter coffee, only a few are supported by rigorous scientific research. Here’s what’s proven:
Butter contributes a high amount of fat to the coffee, a crucial macronutrient for various bodily functions.
“Fat provides energy, protects your organs, supports cell growth, helps regulate cholesterol and blood pressure, and aids in the absorption of essential nutrients.”
Grass-fed butter is especially rich in vitamin A, beneficial for eyesight, immunity, organ function, and overall growth and development. It also contains calcium and vitamins E, K, and B – albeit in smaller quantities.
Myths and Effective Marketing
If you buy into the hype, consuming butter coffee is more than just a delightful, high-fat treat; it’s a magical key to overall health. Let’s scrutinize these claims a bit more.
Sustained Energy
Enthusiasts of this coffee concoction claim that adding butter to their coffee slows the absorption and release of caffeine, leading to prolonged energy and no subsequent crash. However, there’s no scientific evidence to support this.
What is true is that MCTs are metabolized and used for energy more quickly than longer-chain fatty acids.
So, while you’ll likely experience a pleasant energy boost from coffee with butter and MCT oil, there’s no unique synergy between fat and caffeine in coffee.
Mental Clarity and Focus
Is buttered coffee beneficial for your brain? Yes, but probably not because you’ve added butter or MCT oil.
If you’re in a state of ketosis, MCTs are metabolized in the liver into ketones. Ketones provide energy for brain cells and may help prevent brain diseases like Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s. However, there’s no evidence that ketones from MCT promote mental clarity or focus.
Instead, all these effects (clarity, focus, and disease prevention) are well-established for regular caffeinated coffee.
Healthy Fats
Coconut oil has an excellent reputation. A recent survey revealed that 72% of Americans rated coconut oil as “healthy,” but only 37% of nutrition experts agreed. Most of the fat in butter and coconut oil is saturated fat, often labeled as “bad” fat because it can raise LDL cholesterol, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke.
MCT oil tells a slightly different and better story. It is refined from coconut oil and contains a higher percentage of MCTs, smaller fat molecules that are metabolized more quickly for energy. This is theorized to promote feelings of fullness and prevent fat storage.
Can Butter In Coffee Aid In Weight Loss?
It might seem contradictory that consuming a high-fat, high-calorie coffee could facilitate weight loss. However, proponents argue that starting their day with butter coffee boosts their energy and keeps them satiated for longer, leading to weight loss.
Any scientific grounding for this claim is likely more attributable to MCT oil than to coconut oil or butter. One study found that replacing longer-chain fats in your morning diet with medium-chain triglycerides might make you eat less at lunch. However, there’s no evidence that simply adding butter to your morning coffee aids in weight reduction.
The Potential Risk of Butter Coffee
Butter coffee can certainly be a part of a healthy, balanced diet. The risk lies in using it as a routine meal substitute. While butter coffee is a good source of fat, it lacks key nutrients found in other fat sources like avocados, nuts, eggs, and dairy. You may end up lighter but also less healthy – a trade-off that, in my view, is not worth it.
A Simple Butter Coffee Recipe
Creating butter coffee at home is a breeze. Simply add coffee, oil, and butter into a blender and blend until it achieves a frothy texture.
Here’s a simple recipe for butter coffee.
Ingredients:
- 8 ounces of strong brewed coffee
- 1 tablespoon of grass-fed butter
- 1 teaspoon of coconut oil or MCT oil (optional)
- Small blender, hand mixer, or milk frother
At a Glance:
- Brew time: 5-10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cup of butter coffee
The Optimal Butter for Coffee
The most suitable butter for coffee is unsalted grass-fed butter, with many fans endorsing the Kerrygold brand. Grass-fed butter has a higher unsaturated fat content than regular butter and contains more vitamins A and E. Alternatively, clarified butter or ghee, which has a lower lactose content, can be used.
Step 1: Brewing Coffee
You can use any brewing method you prefer to make a strong black coffee. I enjoy using a French press to create a robust brew that stands up well against the butter. My recipe includes 25 grams of ground dark roast coffee steeped in 12 ounces of water at 200°F for 4 minutes.
Step 2: Add Ingredients to the Blender
Transfer 8 ounces of coffee, 1 tablespoon of quality butter, and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil (if you like) to a blender. Ensure the blender is safe for hot liquids and is filled to less than half its capacity.
Step 3: Blend and Serve
Blend the ingredients for approximately 30 seconds until you achieve a frothy morning beverage that looks like a latte. Pour it into your favorite mug and savor it!
A Few Exciting Butter Coffee Variations
Once you’ve got the basics down, there are countless ways to personalize your keto coffee.
For instance:
– For a butter coffee mocha, add ½ teaspoon of cocoa powder. You can garnish with some grated dark chocolate shavings.
– For a homemade peppermint mocha, add ½ teaspoon of cocoa powder and a few drops of peppermint oil.
– For a vanilla latte, add ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract and a few drops of liquid stevia. Top it off with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Final Thoughts
While the health claims about Butter In Coffee may be exaggerated – or, at least, need further investigation – it doesn’t mean you should exclude it from your coffee routine. This rich and creamy brew is a delightful way to relish your morning coffee and boost your fat intake, whether you’re fasting, on the keto diet, or simply seeking a frothy latte alternative that doesn’t require an espresso machine.
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