Does Adding Butter To Coffee Burn Fat
Butter in Coffee? Here's The Right Way To Do It + A Simple Butter Coffee Recipe
Let's face it: thick buttery coffee sounds disgusting. Why would anyone want to try that? The idea invokes a bunch of melted butter just floating on top of your coffee.
Fortunately my love of coffee and insatiable curiosity led me to finding a recipe and pulling out my blender for a test drive of this odd combination. Curiosity might have killed the cat, but it brought me to a whole new appreciation of butter and a delicious way to create a satisfying, healthy treat without having to put on pants to leave the house.
Here's everything you need to know about butter coffee + a few very handy tips to brew it better…
What Is Butter Coffee?
First, to clear up some misconceptions: butter coffee is NOT the same things as bulletproof coffee, or Coconut oil coffee.
But it IS loaded with flavor, it's filling and satisfying, and, when made properly, has a delicate and delightful foam at the top (achieved without using a foaming wand).
Butter infused coffee is perfect for the beginner home barista as well as the experienced since it does not require the use of an espresso machine. Instead, this drink can be made with a simple coffee maker (I use a French Press or an Aeropress) and a blender (these ones will do the job).
The ingredients for the standard butter and coffee concoction are simple: coffee, coconut oil, and ghee or grass fed butter (or, for a simpler version, just get coffee and this cheater coffee booster with the ingredients pre-mixed).
You can save money by purchasing all these items online, as I have personally typically found the local health food stores to be more expensive. Plus, there's the whole not-having-to-wear-pants part of online shopping that is always appealing.
Butter Coffee vs Bulletproof Coffee
Is butter coffee the same as bulletproof coffee? Almost, but not quite… Bulletproof coffee is actually a brand, developed by an entrepreneur named Dave Aspey.
His special coffee uses a specific type of coffee beans, holds to a strict code of using only unsalted, grass-fed butter, and includes a liquid called MCT oil, which is similar to coconut oil but contains more Medium Chain Triglycerides (basically, more fat). Read more about bulletproof coffee here.
Todays topic of conversation – buttered coffee – simply refers to your DIY version of bulletproof coffee. Any coffee beans brewed with good butter and coconut oil.
5 Reasons You Should Consider Trying Butter with Coffee and Coconut Oil
Now that I'm a believer in this creation and drink it daily, here are 5 reasons why you should join the awesomeness that is the tribe of butter coffee addicts:
1. It's Cheaper Than Store-bought Coffee
The average cost of a store-bought latte is around $4.16. This figure, of course, only accounts for the monetary amount you pay the store directly. Hidden costs include gas money to get there and time taken to drive, wait, and drive to your next destination.
But what if you could save money by making a delicious, creamy, satisfying beverage at home using high quality ingredients without the hidden costs? Would that be worth it to you?
The fact is: many cafes don't serve butter coffee, so if you want to drink it you have to brew it yourself!
A purchased coffee vs a homemade coffee could mean that you spend $10,000 a year (1) on coffee, while a homemade special could cost less than $800 per year. Plus, if you use your own mug, you are greatly reducing your carbon footprint, rather than throwing away an empty paper cup and plastic lid every day.
You will also need a coffee grinder (if you purchase beans whole like a true coffee snob), a coffee maker and a blender that can manage hot liquids. If you don't already have them, it might be a bit of an investment, but you are building your at-home coffee bar here.
Let's not forget that the end result is still you save about $10000 a year, and these small appliances will last a long time.
I have had my french press for five years, and it completely paid for itself in money saved from the coffee shops in less than a month. It's almost like the price of my daily coffee keeps getting cheaper the more I make it from home.
2. Healthy Fats = Healthy Skin
Remember the low-fat fad diet? Well, forget everything you thought you knew about low fat being healthy. It turns out that low fat diets are actually harmful (2) for your overall health. This result can be due to increased additives like carbs (aka chemically-created sugars) to make the food still taste palatable without any of that satisfying fat. A diet low in fat can lead to health conditions (3) like fat-soluble vitamin deficiency, hormone imbalances, and prematurely aging skin.
Enter: the butter coffee diet (yes, it.s a thing).
Each cell in our body is coated in a protective covering of two fat layers. A low-fat (or unhealthy fat) diet leads to the body creating cellular walls that are less-than-ideal.
This can lead to a variety of health concerns, but outwardly the skin will show less of a youthful glow and less plasticity than former years. A diet rich in healthy fats provides anti-inflammatory nutrients, nourishes the skin from the inside out, and acts as the building blocks for healthy hormones (did you know that your hormones are actually forms of fat molecules? Another reason to make sure you eat the good fats).
Coconut oil contains saturated fats, which aid the body in regulating cholesterol levels, decreases inflammation in the arteries of the heart, and help balance metabolism .
Many health-conscious individuals use coconut oil for the anti-bacterial and anti-fungal (4) benefits of the lauric and capric acid content. Coconut oil is extremely popular for other uses too, including skin care, hair care, and even this odd-but-effective practice known as "oil-pulling."
If you can handle dairy well, you can stick with butter instead of ghee. Kerrygold is the standard here when it comes to butter. It has just a touch of natural sweetness that shines through the hot coffee, giving the impression that you have some sort of sweetener added to your drink. It's butter, friends. Paula Deen was absolutely right here. Because butter.
Pure fats like coconut oil, ghee, and olive oil are also beneficial for protecting brain neurons and may even help protect the brain against dementia (5). One article terms Alzheimer's disease "type 3 diabetes, (6)" since fats and blood sugars can heavily influence overall brain function. All these cognitive benefits from just a cup of coffee? Why aren't coffee shops latching on to this and introducing more people to these healthy coffees?
3. It Will Curb Hunger Cravings (a way to make fasting easier)
Have you ever experienced the "2pm crash?" This unpleasant experience is usually brought to you by dipping blood sugars, either from a sugary breakfast or just waiting too long between meals.
These cravings are accompanied by brain fog, crankiness, and a sudden craving for a large flavored coffee (and maybe a donut) in effort to spike up your energy levels to help you get through the last few hours of your work day.
Did you know that this can be avoided by drinking something other than plain water and snacking on carrots and sadness?
Studies show that a diet rich in carbohydrates (read: foods that quickly convert to sugar) can increase your risk of cardiac disease and increase your body's insulin resistance (meaning, a higher risk for diabetes as well). The sugar content in a standard flavored latte can be unbelievably high (7), as in over 10 teaspoons of pure sugar per regular-sized drink (and let's not even talk about the larger sizes).
The high fats and low sugars of butter coffee help the body maintain a stable blood sugar levels, which decrease cravings for sugary foods. As explained in the video above, the fats also allow for a slower, more controlled release of caffeine that will keep you going longer. No more need for the afternoon cheat. Another benefit: even more money saved!
4. It Will Improve Your Metabolism Function
The coconut oil in butter coffee is part of an elite group of fatty acid chains called Medium Chain Triglycerides (MCTs). Studies have shown that unlike long-chain triglycerides like soybean oil, MCTs are metabolised faster.
This helps raise the temperature in the body as it works to digest and absorb the nutrients in the fats and deliver them to the body faster. The faster the body processes, the higher your metabolism rises.
One study (8) performed on the difference between MCTs and LCTs in surgical patients found that MCTs even showed a better insulin response from the body than those who were given LCTs.
This means the body was able to absorb more glucose in the blood stream and put it to good use, instead of leaving it sitting in the bloodstream to cause health problems.
By contrast, a traditional coffeeshop drink like the classic Pumpkin Spice Latte will not deliver any of these benefits. Instead, you will be served artificial food coloring, preservatives, artificial flavors, and over 50 grams of sugar!
I'll take a real coffee with real ingredients and real health benefits, please and thank you.
5. The Taste Will Grow On You (And Help You Quit Sugar!)
This buttery, caffeinated drink is smooth, creamy, rich, and satisfying. It contains no sugar, but it doesn't need any (and I make my coffee strong).
Another benefit of making this coffee this way is that none of the ingredients sink to the bottom. There is no awkward mouthful of flavor as you near the bottom of the cup. The blending perfectly emulsifies the fats into one continuous delight, so each sip is just as tasty as the first.
It tastes better than it sounds, just trust me on that.
Butter Coffee Recipe
There are many videos and recipes showing you how to make butter coffee.
This recipe is our simple take on a creamy, healthy and effective butter coffee with coconut oil recipe – keep it simple and add to it if you desire.
To put it in the most basic terms, you pour coffee, a pat of butter, and a scoop of coconut oil into a blender and blend for 30 seconds or so. (You can find our review on the best blenders here).
Once you master the basic recipe (which doesn't take long, let's be honest), there is no end to your culinary concoctions.
For a mocha, you can add cocoa or cacao powder, as demonstrated in the video. In the winter time, add a splash of peppermint extract in too for a homemade peppermint mocha.
For a classic vanilla latte, add a splash of vanilla (about a quarter-to-half teaspoon, depending on your personal taste).
Branch out and try whatever your heart desires. It's a healthy coffee, you don't have to feel guilty for enjoying it!
Here is a video explaining how to make it:
3 Common Mistakes When Brewing Butter Coffee
For as simple as this recipe is, there are a few things you will want to avoid when making your coffee:
1. Using Low-Quality Butter
I cannot stress enough the importance of quality butter. Yes, you can use Land O'Lakes, but it won't have the same richness as a quality grass-fed butter like Kerrygold.
I repeat: use something like Kerrygold – Kerrygold butter coffee IS a thing!
2. Shaking Rather Than Blending
The blending for 30 seconds is essential, as it emulsifies the fats with the water-based coffee. This blending process prevents the fats from separating at the top of your cup, which would be gross. This is not a recipe you can make in a shaker cup.
3. Adding Too Much Coconut Oil
Start small and add more fats as you get used to it. Some people find that too much fat in their coffee can lead to an upset stomach if your body is not accustomed to ingesting much coconut oil. You can start off with a tablespoon or two and adjust from there.
Final Thoughts
Have you ever wished that your coffee could be healthy? Did you ever feel guilty for splurging on sugary coffee shop coffee while the rest of your life was more healthy? Healthy coffee is not just a thing of your dreams, but actually achievable, easy, and delicious.
It seems almost too easy: curbing your cravings, boosting your metabolism, and helping to protect your body against Alzheimer's disease just by drinking your morning cup of joe. And it's possible if you put coconut oil and butter in coffee.
Make sure to check our compilation of healthy coffee recipes.
Did you enjoy this post? I hope you share this article with your coffee-loving friends who might be looking to make healthier choices without sacrificing their favorite morning ritual!
References
- Guess How Much Cheaper Homemade Coffee Is? Retrieved from https://bargainbabe.com/guess-how-much-cheaper-homemade-coffee/
- Why Low-Fat Diets Make You Fat (And Unhealthy) | HuffPost Life Retrieved from https://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-s-bobrow-md/why-low-fat-diets-make-you-fat-and-unhealthy_b_8506608.html
- What Are the Effects of a Fat Deficiency in Humans? | Livestrong.com Retrieved from https://www.livestrong.com/article/503785-what-are-the-effects-of-fat-deficiencies-in-humans/
- Can coconut oil treat a yeast infection? Retrieved from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/302809.php
- What Are the Effects of a Fat Deficiency in Humans? | Livestrong.com< Retrieved From https://www.livestrong.com/article/503785-what-are-the-effects-of-fat-deficiencies-in-humans/
- Alzheimer's Disease May Be Caused by a Poor Diet Retrieved From https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2012/09/24/poor-diet-causes-alzheimers-disease.aspx
- The cafes serving drinks with 25 teaspoons of sugar per cup | Business | The Guardian Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/feb/17/cafe-chains-selling-drinks-25-teaspoons-sugar-starbucks-costa-coffee
- A comparison of medium-chain and long-chain triglycerides in surgical patients. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC1242757/
Does Adding Butter To Coffee Burn Fat
Source: https://www.homegrounds.co/uk/butter-in-coffee/