7 Ways To Make Your Coffee Taste Cafe Level

Unsplash/Nathan Dumlao

Coffee is an expensive habit to break. For most people, that morning cup of joe at a local cafe is part of a beloved ritual. If you consider yourself to be somewhat of a coffee snob, you probably have a certain shop that you trust with your favorite barista and your favorite blend on tap, but the lattes and cups of cold brew add up. So it’s not a bad idea to have a few DIY tricks up your sleeve when you’re making that rushed cup of coffee at home. You’ll save money and time a few days a week without having to give up your coffee shop habit altogether.

1. Maple Syrup

Instead of adding white sugar, raw sugar or agave to your coffee, try maple syrup. It’ll add that natural sweet taste without clumping together like honey does. Channel those inner “Elf” vibes and keep maple syrup on hand.

2. Oat Milk

Unsplash/Demi Deherrera

We might be a little biased with our love of oat milk, but the creamy and sweet non-dairy beverage tends to make any cup of coffee taste almost coffee shop quality. Oat milk has a way of adding that mouth-coating texture that you’d get from a latte without using a fancy espresso machine.

3. Butter

You can always go the bulletproof route and add a piece of grass-fed butter to your hot coffee. It’ll add a layer of richness to your cup and, if you become hooked on the concept, it may help with weight loss through ketosis, a metabolic state that’s triggered by a lack of carbs, causing your body to rely on healthy fats for energy. (You just have to maintain it through all of the other foods and beverages you consume throughout the day. NBD.)

4. Cocoa Powder

An improvised mocha latte is always a good idea. Grab whatever cocoa powder you have and add a few teaspoons of it to your coffee. You’ll get your hot chocolate and your caffeine all in one, and you won’t have to add any extra sugar in the process.

5. Cinnamon

Unsplash/Vanesa Conunaese

For a little extra spice and complexity, sprinkle a little cinnamon into your coffee. It’ll add a mellow sweetness without any sugar. Adding a little cinnamon to your coffee might also help to curb your sugar cravings later in the day. Cinnamon is a known appetite suppressant that helps to stabilize your blood sugar levels.

6. Condensed Milk

There’s a reason Vietnamese coffee is so good. The coffee itself tends to be twice as strong as your average cup with a lingering aftertaste and high acidity, so a few tablespoons of condensed milk helps to mellow it all out. Even if your coffee isn’t a Vietnamese blend, you could still add a tablespoon of condensed milk to make it a little creamier and richer. It’s also a foolproof solution if your coffee tastes slightly burnt.

7. Salt

According to celebrity chef Alton Brown, salt not only helps to cut the bitterness of coffee, but also helps to smooth out any kind of stale taste coming from the tap water. Add a pinch of salt to your cup of coffee grounds before you add the hot water and see if you notice a difference.

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