Coffee is just the thing to get the day started in the right direction, but what do you do when trying to go dairy-free!? Explore these tasty ideas on how to make coffee taste good without creamer!
If you’re a “Not until my morning coffee” person, cutting down on creamer can seem daunting! Worry not, because you’re in luck! This guide contains delicious ideas to make your morning brew taste like heaven without adding creamer! Discover everything you want to know about coffee and how to make the most delicious cup without creamer!
What is Creamer?
Generally speaking, in the cafe world, “creamer” means half-and-half; however, in homes, the word “creamer” might have a different meaning. The barista standard is not always the case at home or in the office.
To many people, “creamer” is non-dairy creamer, a liquid or powdered coffee lightener made from milk protein, vegetable oil, and flavorings. Non-dairy creamer does have dairy and does mimic the mouthfeel of half-and-half, only with a much wider range of flavor options.
Why Skip the Creamer?
There are many reasons individuals claim for wanting to lay off the creamer. Whether it’s in pursuit of a lower calorie count, due to an allergy or aversion, or just a preference, there are many reasons why someone might want to skip the creamer. Fortunately, there are other ways to have a tasty cup of joe without the creamer.
How to Make Coffee Taste Good Without Creamer
If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your morning caffeine boost without the creamer, these tips have you covered!
Buy Better Coffee!
This is not meant to judge or throw shade at bargain coffee, but some coffees are better than others. A fresh bag of beans from your local coffee roaster will produce a much more balanced and flavorful cup than a discount tin from the grocery store. To enjoy the coffee flavor more, you must start with the beans!
You do not need to spend hundreds to have good coffee. Start by reading the coffee label. It often has tasting notes and a best-by date. This tells you what it will taste like and how fresh it is. Fresh coffee tastes the best!
Consider upgrading your coffee equipment, too. A coffee grinder allows you to grind coffee in your own kitchen for the freshest cup you can get! All this commitment to fresh flavor makes for a coffee that tastes so good without creamer that you’ll start drinking it black every day!
Sweeten the Pot!
There are many delicious ways to make coffee sweet without adding creamer, so if you have a sweet tooth, you have choices! From granulated to simulated to liquified, many different sweeteners are available.
Keep it classic with granulated sugar. Start with one scoop or packet, then go up until you dial your perfect proportion. Use artificial granulated sweeteners in the same way.
There are also lots of choices available in liquid sweeteners. Near the coffee and teas in your local supermarket, you can find bottles of flavored syrups meant to add some pizzazz to your coffee. Common flavors include vanilla, caramel, toffee, and hazelnut, but if these don’t suit you, it is very easy to make your own.
Boil equal parts water and sugar until it becomes thick and syrupy. This extremely concentrated simple syrup can be added to anything to make it sweeter.
Ditch Dairy, Not “Milk”!
Plenty of delicious alternatives are available if you want to ditch the creamer because you’re going dairy-free. Just beware that many creamers are labeled “non-dairy” when they, in fact, have casein, a milk protein, so you need to be on the lookout for truly non-dairy products. These are usually in their own case at the grocery store to help shoppers find them.
You can try plant-based milk or plant-based creamers. Both come in a wide range of flavors, so there is bound to be one for you! Oat milk is a wonderful choice for coffee, and soy milk has a texture that is very similar to cow’s milk making it a nice choice for anyone used to milk in their coffee.
Chill Out!
Changing the temperature of the coffee can change the whole flavor! Some people prefer cold brew because they believe it has a sweeter and smoother flavor than hot brewed coffee. Cold brew is also easy to make at home!
Grind ½ lb coffee beans very coarse and then soak them in 64 ounces of cold water for 8 to 12 hours. Strain the beans and store the cold coffee in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can sweeten the finished coffee or add milk alternatives for extra flavor.
What to Add to Make Coffee Taste Better Without Creamer
Cinnamon
A pinch of cinnamon can work wonders in a coffee. It has a woodsy and warm flavor that is very comforting. Adding it to coffee not just improves the taste and removes the bitterness but offers several benefits as well. It will add more antioxidants to coffee and also improve brain power and cognitive ability.
Honey/agave
The bitterness of coffee is known by all. However, you can suppress it a bit by adding honey or agave syrup to it. The sweetness will compensate for the bitterness giving you a pleasant flavor.
Cardamom
The flavor of cardamom is described as spicy, minty, and herbal. It is widely used in coffee and tea in the middle eastern region. It offers a unique flavor to your coffee.
Coconut oil
Coconut oil might seem like an unusual ingredient to add to your coffee, but it works wonders. It not just improves the flavor but also makes the coffee frothier.
Vanilla/almond extract
Extracts of vanilla or almond are known for their distinct flavor. These extracts offer a complexity of flavors and improve the taste of your coffee by many folds.
Turmeric
Turmeric is yet another ingredient that is known for its medicinal properties. Although it has a bitter and pungent flavor, you will definitely notice the difference when you add it to your coffee. This ingredient offers a uniquely complex flavor to your coffee which makes it quite tasty and less bitter.
Cocoa powder
You might love cocoa in hot milk, but how about you give it a try in coffee? It will give you a spicy flavor which is unexpectedly amazing.
Salt
You will be amazed to see what a pinch of salt can do to your coffee. It is a great way to reduce the natural bitterness of the coffee.
Pumpkin/apple pie spice
Pumpkin pie spice is an essential ingredient for autumn. However, it is not restricted to lattes only. You can add it to your coffee as well. Moreover, you can add apple pie spice to spice up your coffee as well.
So, the next time you miss creamer, try one of the ingredients mentioned above. I bet you will enjoy the unique flavor they bring to your coffee.
FAQ
How long can coffee sit out?
Coffee can sit out for about 20-30 minutes and still taste fine. After that, the flavors and aromas start to dissipate and degrade, and after about 4 hours, the coffee may start to taste harsh and bitter. However, black coffee is generally safe to drink for up to 24 hours after brewing if it has been sitting out on a counter.
Final Thoughts
Coffee gives us the much-needed boost to start our days and easily reach our goals. Its awesome caffeine content keeps us grooving, but its flavor can slow us down! Luckily, these tips are here for you whenever your coffee lacks flavor, but you don’t want creamer! Try one or try them all, even think up your own twists, because there’s no limit to the deliciousness when you learn how to make coffee taste good without creamer!
Additional Kitchen Resources
Put another pot of coffee on and get ready to explore these delicious kitchen ideas! Inspire your inner chef with a few interesting culinary articles!