Add This Rich Ingredient To Coffee For A Creamy Twist (Hint: It's Not Milk Or Cream)

When you're not feeling like drinking your coffee straight black, many ingredients can change up your caffeinating experience. In addition to a tried-and-true pour of dairy, there are alternatives like oat or almond milk, not to mention a wide array of pre-bottled creamers. For fans of joe with such a luxurious texture, consider adding ghee into your coffee rotation — it's a unique addition that makes for a delectable, decadent cup with the creamiest mouthfeel.

Hailing from South Asia, ghee is a dairy-based fat, slightly different from clarified butter by way of its extra-toasted flavor. Incredibly versatile, the shelf-stable ingredient is used in everything from baking to sauce-making, as well as a decadent finishing touch on bread. The ingredient even shines in coffee, too. Mixed into a black cup of joe, the ghee produces a thick and rich cup, reminiscent of Bulletproof coffee. More than simply a delicious creamer substitute, the foodstuff lends coffee its signature toasted and nutty flavor, a palate that aligns well with the invigorating drink.

A little ghee goes a long way; you'll only need about a teaspoon per brewed cup of coffee. For the easiest integration, the ghee is usually added to the mug first, with a hot brewed cup poured atop — although you could also whip the two ingredients together. Either way, you'll get a coffee with an aesthetic layer of foam and a delicious texture, ready for enjoyment.

Much like the similar Bulletproof, adding ghee to coffee is accompanied by various health claims. Assertions promise extended energy release, improved cognition, or even inflammation reduction. Some day-to-day drinkers allege a revamped caffeine experience, stating that habitual ghee coffee consumption works health wonders. With only limited research, it's difficult to say whether ghee mixed into coffee provides credible benefits. Indeed, evidence is anecdotal, at best.

Nevertheless, only a teaspoon of ghee certainly changes a cup's nutritional composition. An 8-ounce cup of coffee contains just over 2 calories, per the USDA. Yet a teaspoon of ghee – a common serving size in coffee — comes with 41 calories (via USDA), thus making the drink 20 times more satiating. For comparison, a single serving of packaged Nestlé non-dairy creamer contains only 10 calories (and that's for over 2 teaspoons).

As a result, drinking ghee-infused coffee offers an extra satiating experience in comparison to a typical cup of joe. You can use the beverage to round out breakfast or lunch, including more fats during your meal. And the clarified butter can make for a delicious canvas for spices — include aromatics like cardamom, turmeric, or vanilla bean for an additional tasting note. Mixed into a cup of joe, ghee revamps the coffee experience in flavor and texture.