The Complete Guide to Flavored Coffee Beans: From Creation to Cup
The world of coffee is endlessly diverse. Beyond different beans and brewing methods lies another flavor frontier: flavored coffee beans. These tantalizing beans infuse our favorite morning ritual with tastes like hazelnut, chocolate and even whiskey.
Once a novelty, flavored beans now account for over 25% of all specialty coffee sold in North America. Their popularity is easy to understand. A dash of flavor transforms boring old black coffee into a carnival of the senses.
This guide will tour the flavorful world of flavored coffee beans. You’ll learn how they’re made, from secret industrial processes to homemade kitchen experiments. We’ll sample popular flavors and sniff out chemical controversies. Plus, discover the best beans to buy and brew.
So, fix a fresh cup and let’s get flavor hunting!
Basics Of Flavored Coffee Beans
Flavored coffee beans add an extra dash of flavor to our favorite morning drink. They are regular coffee beans that have had additional flavoring oils or extracts mixed in to alter the beans' natural taste and smell. The absorbed flavors come through when the beans are later brewed into a flavored coffee beverage.
People have been spicing up coffee's flavor for ages. Back in the day, Middle Eastern coffee drinkers would toss in warming spices like cardamom, clove and cinnamon to give their brew a little kick. And in 16th century Turkey, coffee was popularly served all mixed up with sugar for a sweetened caffeine rush.
But flavored coffee beans as we know them didn't really take off until the 1990s. That's when food scientists developed specialized flavoring oils that could stick to and soak into coffee beans during the roasting process. These flavoring oils made it possible to mass produce pre-flavored beans on a commercial scale. Exciting new flavors like cookie dough, toasted marshmallow and maple walnut started lining supermarket shelves and the flavored bean trend took off!
Nowadays there are over 50 different coffee bean flavors available. Some of the most popular options include:
- Hazelnut: Buttery, nutty flavor often blended with chocolate tastes
- Caramel: Sweet and slightly burnt sugar flavor works great in dessert or even savory cups
- Whiskey: Complex oaky, vanilla flavors with an alcoholic punch. Irish creams offer a sweeter, creamier version.
And adventurous coffee drinkers keep pushing the flavor boundaries ever further! Wilder flavors like cherry cordial, glazed donut and peanut butter cup are getting popular. Even savory flavors like bacon or blue cheese are catching on with some hardcore coffee fans. When it comes to flavored beans, the sky's the limit!
How Flavored Coffee Beans Are Made
Coffee beans are incredibly porous, like little sponges. This allows them to readily absorb outside flavors and aromas. There are a few main methods used to get those flavors into the beans.
A. Flavoring During the Roasting Process
One technique is to add flavors while the raw coffee beans are being roasted. Special flavored syrups or oils are sprayed directly onto the beans as they roast in the machine. The heat from the roasting helps opens up the beans' pores and drives the flavors deeper down into each bean.
Benefits of In-Roasting Flavoring
Flavors penetrate very thoroughly when added during roasting. This allows the flavors to become well incorporated into the beans for a nice consistent taste in the final coffee.
Challenges of In-Roasting Flavoring
Timing and coordination is tricky with this method. The flavor spray needs to be carefully calibrated, so the flavors don't get burned or damaged by the high heat.
Dedicated equipment and space are required as well. The flavored oils can gunk up roasting machines over time. So, a separate roasting area needs to be devoted just to flavored beans.
B. Flavoring After the Beans Have Been Roasted
Another common technique is to flavor the beans after they've been roasted and cooled. Flavored oils are mixed right into the freshly roasted coffee beans, thoroughly coating each bean's surface.
The beans then sit for some time so the flavors can seep into the porous beans and get absorbed.
Benefit of Post-Roast Flavoring
The nice thing about this method is that no special roasting equipment is required. The beans can be roasted normally then flavored afterwards.
Important Factor in Post-Roast Flavoring
With post-roast flavoring, the quality and age of the beans is vital. Old, stale coffee beans have less porous surface area for the flavor oils to penetrate. So more of the flavor ends up sitting on the outside of old beans rather than being absorbed within.
For best results, recently roasted, high-quality beans work great to soak up all that delicious flavor!
C. Using Natural Ingredients vs Chemical Flavors
There are two main types of flavoring used for coffee beans:
Natural flavoring uses real food ingredients like vanilla beans, cinnamon and cocoa nibs. These are added to the beans while roasting. The subtle flavors lightly enhance the coffee's natural aroma.
Chemical flavoring oils contain solvents like propylene glycol to dissolve flavors and help them spread smoothly over the beans. These flavor oils create consistent, intense tastes. But some have concerns about potential health issues from chemical additives. Others feel chemical flavors can disguise poor bean quality.
Most commercial flavored beans rely on standardized chemical flavor oils. But a growing number of artisan roasters are using natural ingredients too. This creates gentle, more nuanced flavors.
So, there are some core methods for getting flavors into coffee beans! Let's now dive deeper into some of the ingredients and controversies around flavored beans...
The Controversy Around Flavored Coffee Beans
Not everyone approves of flavored coffee beans. Many coffee purists argue:
- Flavorings, especially chemical ones, adulterate the intrinsic flavor subtleties that high quality beans naturally possess. The carefully crafted flavor profiles from factors like bean variety, origin, processing method and roast level become masked by flavoring overkill.
- Masking bad bean quality with flavoring is deceptive. Some believe lower grade beans well past their prime are used as bases for flavored beans, then chemically altered to taste fresher and fruitier.
- The original bean’s terroir, its regional climate and soil gets lost under flavor overkill. The concept of terroir means the unique environmental conditions beans are grown in impart subtle characteristic flavors. When smothered in flavoring, this delicate regional essence disappears.
However, most everyday coffee drinkers don’t fuss over terroir or subtleties. The average person just wants their daily cup to taste great! Flavored coffee offers a tasty, convenient way to switch up their usual brew.
For newcomers, flavored beans provide an easy introduction to the coffee world too. Their accessibility helps transition people away from heavily sweetened and creamed coffee drinks. As taste buds adapt, they may grow to appreciate lighter flavorings or pure black coffee.
Making Flavored Coffee at Home
With simple ingredients from your pantry, it’s easy to flavor beans at home. Lightly enhancing store-bought beans allows you to control the flavor intensity. But you can also flavor beans you roast yourself for ultimate customization.
Some easy home flavoring options:
Split vanilla beans, cinnamon sticks or cloves: Add these whole spices when roasting beans or during brewing. Their essential oils will infuse aromatic flavor without overpowering beans.
Cocoa nibs: These crunchy pieces lend a rich chocolate taste when roasted together with beans. Start with 1-2 tablespoons of nibs per 1/2 pound of green beans.
Spice blends: Pre-made blends like pumpkin pie spice, gingerbread spices or Moroccan seasonings can quickly flavor a batch. Mix 1-2 teaspoons per 1/2-pound roasted beans.
Flavored syrups or extracts: Add just a few drops of quality natural syrups like hazelnut or almond to freshly ground coffee in the filter basket before brewing.
Remember, a little home flavoring goes a long way. Use ingredients sparingly and taste as you adjust. Finding the perfect flavor balance may take some trial and error.
Brewing Tips: Grind beans normally but use a slightly coarser setting. Brew using your preferred method. Store opened flavored beans in an airtight, opaque container to preserve intensity. Flavor duration depends on bean freshness and quantity used. Re-flavor as needed.
Choosing the Right Flavored Coffee Beans
When buying flavored beans, check:
- High quality origin beans for best flavor absorption
- Type of flavoring: natural or chemical? Details should be on the label.
- Roast date. Fresher beans have better flavor.
Trusted specialty roasters like Lifeboost Coffee use premium beans and clearly label flavoring ingredients. Their expertise results in balanced, nuanced flavors.
Potential Downsides of Flavored Coffee Beans
While delicious, flavored beans have some caveats:
Health concerns: Ingredient propylene glycol aids flavor dispersal but in large amounts can irritate eyes or skin. Workers exposed regularly when making flavorings risk more severe reactions.
Grinder/machine issues: Flavoring oils leave sticky residue on grinders over time. Without frequent thorough cleaning, rancid oil buildup can affect flavor and performance. Oils may also clog brewers not designed for grounds with oil.
Altered flavor: Intense flavoring overwhelms subtle tasting notes that originate from different bean varieties, origins, processing methods and roasting levels. The original bean essence becomes lost.
Carefully cleaning grinders often prevents flavor contamination and oil build-up issues. Choosing trusted roasters minimizes health issues from chemical exposure.
Conclusion
Flavored coffee beans unlock a world of taste for coffee lovers. Whether you crave sweet, spicy or even boozy beans, expert flavoring methods create indulgent options. Yet, moderation is key as intense flavors can overwhelm delicate bean essence.
Hopefully this guide has shown how accessible and fun flavored beans can be. The variety allows customizable cups for every coffee drinker, newbies and snobs alike!
So, embrace your adventurous side. Expand your brewing flavor horizons and find your perfect flavored match.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What's the difference between natural and artificial flavoring?
Natural flavoring uses real food ingredients like spices, while artificial flavoring uses food-safe chemicals to create or enhance flavors. Artificial flavors offer more consistency, but some prefer natural flavors for purity.
Do flavored coffee beans have more calories?
No, flavored beans themselves are calorie-free. Flavored coffee drinks with added cream, sweeteners or other extras will contain calories. Stick to black coffee for a zero calorie cup.
How long do flavored beans stay fresh?
Stored properly in an airtight, opaque container away from light, air and moisture, flavored beans stay fresh for 2-3 weeks. Heat and air degrade oils over time.
Can you reuse flavored beans?
Yes, you can reuse flavored beans 1-2 extra times before flavor dissipates fully. But for best taste, use fresh beans within 1-2 weeks. Reusing older beans risks a flat, bitter brew.
Do flavored beans damage grinders?
Over time, some flavoring oil can build up and turn rancid on grinders. Regular cleaning prevents long-term issues. Look for grinders that easily disassemble for thorough cleaning.
Can you flavor your own beans?
Yes! Lightly flavor beans by adding spices like cinnamon sticks or vanilla beans when roasting or brewing. Start with small amounts and adjust to taste.
What’s the best way to brew flavored beans?
Brew flavored beans normally but use a slightly coarser grind to allow flavor oils to flow through. Always store opened flavored beans in an airtight, opaque container.