Strong, black coffee is hard to improve upon. There’s
nothing quite like it to get you going each morning.
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This time of year though, I start thinking about adding some
spice in my life – at least to my morning coffee.
I don’t quite know why the
urge strikes only this time of year. Maybe it’s because of cold, crisp
mornings, when a bit of heat feels so
good in the house. Maybe it’s the coziness I feel as I pull my warm robe closer
to my neck. Or maybe it’s the approaching season when so many kitchen things are made
with the seasonal spices of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves.
Although there are an endless variety of flavored coffees on the
market -- and I have tried and loved many of them -- it’s also fun
to experiment with making your own spice blend. And also very economical.
If you decide to make your own, you may want to experiment with the various spice combinations. Here's a suggestion to begin:
(All spices ground)
2 Tablespoons Cinnamon
2 Tablespoons Cloves
1 Tablespoon Allspice
1 teaspoon Ginger
1 teaspoon Cardamom
1 teaspoon freshly ground Nutmeg (If I were using the pre-ground variety I would double the amount)
The only spice I grind myself is nutmeg, not only for the coffee flavoring but in all kitchen use. I find that freshly ground nutmeg makes all the difference in recipes calling for this spice. You can buy the whole nutmegs at most grocery store spice departments.
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Combine spices and store in a glass container. For each cup of coffee to be brewed, add about 1/4 teaspoon spice mixture on top of the coffee in the brew basket.
Depending on your taste, you may want to increase or decrease the spices.
Note: The cloves lend a very potent punch, so if you aren't wild about the clove taste, you may want to cut in half the suggested amount I've given. I just happen to adore the taste of cloves.
Depending on your taste, you may want to increase or decrease the spices.
Note: The cloves lend a very potent punch, so if you aren't wild about the clove taste, you may want to cut in half the suggested amount I've given. I just happen to adore the taste of cloves.
If you enjoy flavored coffees, give this little recipe a try and let me know if you liked it!
And by the way, I mixed a new batch today and just to experiment, added a 1/2 inch vanilla bean in the sealed jar. I'm looking forward to outstanding results for this addition!
My morning coffee is a highlight of my day - simple soul that I am! You are quite a scientist in the kitchen, and I love your spicy idea. I always enjoy the scent of spices when in America - so many shops and restaurants are aramotic with cinnamon, etc. Maybe if I try the spice coffee, I can introduce the fragrance into our house.
ReplyDeleteOnce you added the vanilla, it sounded like that blend would make a great addition to a Tea Latte. (Since I don't drink coffee.) I'll have to make up a batch. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteAh, nothing quite like the morning coffee ritual. I could have an entire blog devoted to the topic of coffee :-)
ReplyDeleteI drink real Turkish coffee brewed on the stove in a special pot (dzezva). I always skip adding sugar but can't go without milk and cinnamon. I always add the cinnamon to the bottom of the coffee cup and pour coffee over it.
I´m conservative with my coffee. I like it dark, strong, unflavored. Same hour, same amount. Every day.
ReplyDeleteEspresso with a piece of chocolate, seldom.
Absolutely love my coffee. I drank over four cups a day when Starbucks first arrived on the scene. Now I limit myself to what I thought was one cup a day but turns out the mug holds two cups. My favorite is Vanilla Creme Brulee flavored in turkish grind. If I could allow myself more cups a day I would definitely experiment with your spices. I gave up coffee for 2 years, have tried all kinds of teas, mate's and chi's but nooooo....coffee is my only love.
ReplyDeleteThe only additions to my strong coffee is a dash of milk + 2 sweetners. The one large mug I have at bedtime is my favourite of the day.
ReplyDeleteI drink tea at breakfast & 2 cups early evening,rest of the day is coffee.Ida
I am a coffee purist. I think that Beryl is right, this would probably work well with tea. I'm not so fussy about tea.
ReplyDeleteDarla
Thanks to all for your comments. Whether coffee or tea, we all seem to enjoy our morning drink. Some will like the spices in coffee; some not so much. I took some spices along to flavor the coffee at my "cousin weekend" and found not everyone was as excited about adding the flavor as I am! To each his own!
ReplyDeleteI loved the spice mixture you made. I have been buying Dunkin Donut's Pumpkin Spice coffee. I see it in the stores only this time of the year but now I can have that flavor long after first of the year on those cold dreary days of winter. Thanks for recipe - I have it!
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