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We’ve talked about bulletproof coffee in the past and you may already know why so many people choose this option to start their day rather than taking in a traditional breakfast. Bulletproof coffee, in its purest form, consists of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, grass-fed butter, and black coffee.
That might sound simple, but it does get a bit more in-depth as you learn more. We’ll share some of the things you should know as someone who is taking on this option in the long run. For now, what you should know is that this coffee is sweet and creamy, which appeals to anyone who has a sweet tooth.
We’ll go over some of the critical things you need to know about this type of coffee, but we are mostly going to be focusing on alternative recipes to switch things up once you’ve been consuming butter coffee over a long period and are ready to try something new.
Why Bulletproof Coffee is Good for You
Every ingredient in bulletproof coffee is good for the human body, and we want to break each down a little bit more. As far as the coffee goes, it offers the typical enhancement of cognitive function and energy boost that you expect. However, it also provides a large number of antioxidants which can help remove toxins from your body. It also has a plethora of healthy minerals that may not be found in the rest of your diet. There are tons of studies out there showing exactly how coffee can benefit your health if you want to know more about the specifics.
As far as the butter goes, you might be wondering how in the world that can be considered healthy. The truth is that the butter used in bulletproof coffee is nothing more than fat. It’s all fat. This might make you raise an eyebrow until you realize that the butter used in this coffee comes from grass-fed cows. It contains Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids which you can also find in fish. Have you ever heard of fish as brain food? Butter is too. Having healthy fats in your diet can increase your cognitive capabilities and make it easier to function on a mental level.
Then we come to the MCT oil, which is probably the least well-known of the ingredients found in bulletproof coffee. In a nutshell, MCTs are a type of fat that can be broken down using fewer enzymes and less energy than other fats and sugars you might consume. That means you get all the nutrients from the oil quickly.
On top of that, MCT oil has been shown to curb hunger, is beneficial for your gut, and has anti-microbial properties. Sometimes, it can also help with maintaining a healthy weight and losing a mild amount of weight. But the best thing MCT does is convert energy on a cellular level without the need of your liver processes.
The Top Reasons to Consume Keto Coffee
So, maybe you’ve thought about drinking bulletproof coffee, but you aren’t 100% sold on it yet and want to know why it’s worthwhile. There are many reasons which we’ll outline below:
- Offers amazing taste – Once you try a well-madebulletproof coffee, you are likely to find that you appreciate the smooth and creamy feel along with the coffee taste it brings. Most people convert to this coffee type after trying it just once. There’s a reason this coffee is so popular, and this is probably the most substantial reason out there.
- Works with intermittent fasting – If you are someone who is into fasting or considering trying it, bulletproof coffee can be an excellent way to start down that route. Fasting can offer all sorts of health benefits and drinking bulletproof coffee in the morning can keep you from feeling like you’re starving as you go through the day, no matter how intense your activities are going to be.
- Increased brainpower –A final reason to give bulletproof coffee a shot is the fact that the combination of coffee, MCT oil, and butter increases cognitive function. You might feel like you can think better than you ever have in the past. The coffee is known to help you focus for long periods, which makes it great for consumption before an important project or chore.
The Basic Bulletproof Coffee Recipe
Bulletproof coffee is easy to make if you stick with the standard. You only need to have three simple ingredients along with one piece of equipment. You are going to need some high-quality coffee, an MCT oil that is high in C8s, and grass-fed butter. You are also going to want to have a blender or something similar to mix everything together in the morning.
Choosing Coffee Beans
The worst thing you can do is to buy cheap coffee beans for this coffee. The health benefits and taste of quality coffee are worth the splurge. When you choose cheaper coffee beans, there’s also a risk that you will find mycotoxins in them. That’s a kind of coffee mold that isn’t great for the body.
The coffee you choose should have a rich and fresh aroma with a full body to ensure the coffee has no defects and will work well in your mug each morning. Take it from us, the better the coffee is, the better your bulletproof coffee will taste. At the same time, don’t feel like you need to purchase the most expensive beans. You just want a decent, organic brand.
As far as a coffeemaker goes, get what works for you, or use the one you already have. There’s no reason to spend a ton of money on this as long as it does the job for you.
Ghee (Grass-Fed Butter)
Choosing a coffee that is of the quality you prefer is up to you, but having the correct butter is crucial to bulletproof coffee. You don’t want to grab the least expensive butter that you find on the shelves at your grocery stores. You must choose butter from grass-fed cows to get the cream in the butter that makes bulletproof coffee work. Going with other butter means you will not have the same omega fatty acids that help promote a healthy weight and optimize brain function.
MCT Oil (Refined Coconut or Keto Oil)
You may find that a lot of people choose to use coconut oil in their coffee, but this does not create bulletproof coffee. It just makes coffee with coconut oil. This can work in some ways, but it doesn’t have the appropriate amount of MCT content to be a reliable substitute. Instead of choosing at random, pick an MCT oil that comes from a reputablemanufacturer. This will ensure that your bulletproof coffee has the perfect balance of MCT every morning.
MCT oil is a fatty acid type that can easily be converted into energy. This will enhance your metabolism and increase your endurance throughout the day. There are a few different types that it can be broken into, and each of them is going to have a different set of benefits. C10, C8, and C6 are the most important ones to be aware of:
- C10 – This is a capric acid, which means that it has a slow absorption into the body compared to C8. However, it also tends to be the most affordable of the three options available to you.
- C8 – This is caprylic acid, and you are most often going to see is marketed under the brand Brain Octane. The reason for this is because the body breaks it down quite quickly so it can fuel your brainpower. This is one of the best MCTs you can choose.
- C6 l- This is a caproic acid which also tends to taste pretty darn bad. Many people’s bodies don’t handle this well, and you may end up with serious stomach upset using it. However, if properly distilled, you won’t be using enough that it should make a huge difference.
The Right Blender
Most of you probably already have a blender, and if so, you’re pretty much good to go. You can’t just put everything in a jar and shake as it will only layer the ingredients rather than blending them to create the perfect beverage. Most blenders will do just fine with this task, but if you choose one that is specifically for bulletproof coffee, you should choose one that is small and easy to clean for the most convenience.
Bulletproof Coffee Made in the Traditional Way
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of high-quality, strong coffee
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of MCT oil
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter.
Instructions:
All you need to do is take all the ingredients, add them to your blend, and mix them until smooth and frothy.
We recommend that newcomers to bulletproof coffee try the original recipe at least once. This gives you a sound basis for dressing things up in the future. All you have to do is blend things up and enjoy the coffee. You should notice immediately that your energy stays up during the day, and your brain seems to work better than usual.
There are also some tips you can use to start your foray into bulletproof coffee. Be sure that the butter is grass-fed and high quality but also check that it is unsalted. The taste of salt in your bulletproof coffee isn’t going to do anything good for it. You should use filtered water if possible since it removes the chlorine taste from the water, so the coffee shines through.
The idea behind this coffee is to keep it clean right from the beginning. When putting everything together, you want the water to fresh off of a boil. If you have a Chemex or AeroPress, these offer the best options. You also want to be sure that when you blend things, the consistency ends up frothy just like a latte that you would get at an espresso bar.
Gelatin Added Bulletproof Coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of strong coffee
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted grass-fed butter
- 2 tablespoons of MCT or coconut oil
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of Great Lakes Gelatin
Instructions:
This recipe is just as easy as the original. Add all the ingredients, blend to the right consistency, and then drink.
When you add gelatin or collagen to your bulletproof coffee, it gives you an extra dose of protein and makes the coffee itself a bit thicker. Those who want to fight hunger a bit longer while using bulletproof during intermittent fasting may find this option is an excellent choice for their needs.
Great lakes gelatin is something known as hydrolyzed collagen. To put it into simple words, it offers a combination of protein and amino acids. When you add this substance to your diet, this can help promote healing and conditioning over other sources of protein and is exceptional for joint and bone health care.
Essentially, when you add this gelatin to your bulletproof coffee, it makes the consistency of the beverage better while also giving you health benefits like skin, muscle, and joint strength. If you want the version that has no taste, go with the one in green packaging.
Related Content:
What is Bulletproof Coffee? Learn More About How to Make it and its Benefits! (Video)
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How to Make the Best Coffee in a French Press
Coffee Making Methods for the Modern Age
Chaga Mushroom Powder Bulletproof Coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of strong coffee
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter
- 2 tablespoons of MCT or coconut oil
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of Chaga mushroom powder
Instructions:
Most of these instructions are pretty simple and this is another that follows the same idea. Add your ingredients to the blender, turn it on, and get it all creamy before you pour it into a mug and have a glass.
Those who are into the idea of superfoods are likely to appreciate having another one of them added into their bulletproof coffee. Adding a teaspoon or two of Chaga mushroom powder to the brew is an excellent way to do this.
This mushroom is known as “the king of medicinal mushrooms,” and it offers a huge punch when it comes to natural superfood additives. This fungus has antioxidants and can boost the immune system to providemany different health benefits.
Just add in a teaspoon or more before you start blending and you are ready to go. Not only will your morning coffee be healthy, but it will have added benefits to keep you healthy and happy all day long.
Pumpkin Spice Flavor Bulletproof Coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of strong coffee
- 1 cup of unsweetened coconut milk
- 1/3 cup of organic pumpkin puree
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter
- 2 tablespoons of MCT or coconut oil
- A pinch of salt
- Nutmeg and cinnamon to taste.
Instructions:
At this point, you should have the hang of things. All the ingredients above go into the blender, you let it do its magic, and then you sip on a tasty brew.
Since this recipe includes coconut milk, there is an extra step. You want to remove the solid layer from the milk before you add the liquid into the blender with all the rest of your ingredients. Don’t want to toss out the solids? Use them to make a topping for the coffee, which can taste great and look fabulous at the same time. This beverage can be consumed hot or cold, but pouring it over ice with cinnamon and whipped cream is especially good.
Everyone knows that all the biggest coffee houses offer unique flavors for the holidays and pumpkin spice tends to be one of the most loved of the bunch. The problem is that a pumpkin spice latte from a shop can be full of sugar and calories and make you feel tired after you finish sipping on it even with all the caffeine.
So, instead of stopping into to an expensive coffee house, you can make a bulletproof coffee that gives you the same taste. You can make changes to the recipe based on your preferences, and get the perfect beverage. For instance, you can add extra nutmeg, less cinnamon, more pumpkin puree, and extra coconut milk for a different flavor. Don’t ever be afraid to experiment.
Gingerbread Flavored Bulletproof Coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of gingerbread spice for every 2 tablespoons of coffee grounds
- 1 tablespoon of MCT or coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of unsalted, grass-fed butter
Instructions:
This is another recipe that is relatively easy to create with a blender and the push of a button. It also makes an excellent choice for those who want an autumn beverage but aren’t fans of pumpkin spice.
So how does this work? The first thing you want to do is choose the number of coffee grounds you want and then sprinkle the recommended amount of gingerbread spice over the top of it before you do the brewing and then move on to the blending process.
Any low carb bulletproof coffee is a great fit for those on a keto diet, and it can make sure you have the energy to get through the day. Not only that, but you will be running circles around everyone else in terms of physical and mental speed.
There are some options with this beverage, such as using coconut oil instead of MCT oil if you want a little bit more sweetness in the drink. Others might want to drop the amount of oil and butter down since the gingerbread will offer a sweet tang to the drink that you may not notice otherwise.
Those who are into tea can use chai tea instead of coffee. Keep in mind that this will lead to less caffeine, but you will still get minerals and antioxidants along with a slightly softer taste.
However, it’s best to use coffee as the base for most recipes unless something is suggested in its place. Taste and consistency have a ton of variables that can change between tea, coffee, and other drinks.
Cocoa Flavored Bulletproof Beverage
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of filtered water
- ½ cup of coconut milk
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter
- 2 tablespoons of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1 tablespoon of MCT or coconut oil
- 1 to 2 teaspoons of erythritol
- ¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
- Dash of cinnamon
Instructions:
The first thing you want to do is take your water and combine it with the coconut oil before bringing the mixture to a boil. Next, you can add the other ingredients and blend as you would with other bulletproof coffee.
If you are on a diet but you’re craving a bit of chocolate, this bulletproof recipe is the perfect thing to make your sweet tooth sing. This isn’t a coffee recipe, but it does make an excellent beverage for later in the day or for when you want chocolate more than you want a cup of coffee.
Those who are trying to keep calories down and who don’t want to give up on a snack later in the day, try cutting down on or removing the coconut milk and using nonfat milk instead. This will give you almost the same taste as the original drink, but it will not be as thick as the typical beverage.
If you are the type of person who often wants a little touch of chocolate, you might consider making a double batch and keeping the excess in the refrigerator. It tastes just as good cold as it does when it’s steaming hot. This is a refreshing drink that can give you a nice boost in the afternoon when you start to lag a little bit.
Green Tea Made Bulletproof
- 2 to 3 organic green tea bags
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter
- 2 tablespoons of MCT or coconut oil
- 1 tablespoon of heavy cream
- 3 cups of ice
Instructions:
To make things as easy as possible, this recipe involves brewing up some tea before adding the oil and butter and tea to the blender. The tea can cool for a handful of hours before you add ice cubes and include some cream on top. You can mix everything up or leave it separate depending on your preferences.
If you are someone who isn’t big into coffee, bulletproof tea can be a good alternative. You want to brew up some green tea, but use double the bags you usually would. Then you add in butter and oil before you blend it into a frothy beverage. After that, you want to chill the entire mixture before blending the mixture with ice cubes. Pour that into a glass and then add cream until you get the consistency you desire.
While green tea may not be a favorite in Europe, that is where tea drinking first originated. Many people in the United States and Europe prefer tea over coffee, and some have chosen to switch over to green tea since it has many health benefits.
A bulletproof diet can still be possible using green tea. Even those who love coffee may enjoy having a cold green tea beverage on occasion for a change. Make sure the tea is brewed stronger than usual and pay attention to the changes from the traditional bulletproof coffee recipe.
All tea is a bit different, and this recipe is designed to make the green tea flavor shine through. That means it works best with a high-quality green tea rather than a blend or something that you pick up at a bargain.
Vegan Bulletproof Coffee
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of organic brewed coffee
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of non-dairy milk
- 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of raw, organic extra virgin coconut oil
- Ground vanilla or an alcohol-free vanilla extract
- Stevia or another sugar substitute
- 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of raw cacao, optional
- Cinnamon, optional
Instructions:
This is another of the simple recipes where you toss everything in a blender and blend before you enjoy the cup of coffee. It also goes to show that even those who have special dietary needs can enjoy this type of coffee. A strict vegan diet can be hard to stick with,and while most vegans have healthy eating habits and lifestyles, vegan bulletproof coffee can help boost energy levels.
Some of the ingredients in this particular recipe can be bland, which is why there is a recommendation to add cinnamon and raw cacao to add a spicy sweetness to the drink. If you want, you can also add Stevia or another sugar substitute, and use cashew or almond milk instead of coconut milk if you like.
Yerba Mate Made Bulletproof
Ingredients:
- 2 to 4 tablespoons of yerba mate leaf
- 2 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter
- 2 tablespoons of MCT or coconut oil
- Cinnamon, ginger, Stevia, and/or Curcuma to taste
Instructions:
The basic idea with this recipe is that you go ahead and brew the tea, strain out all of the tea leaves, toss the ingredients in a blender, and let it go until the beverage is frothy and ready to drink.
Have you heard of yerba mate? If not, it’s something you should try at least once in your life. Even those who prefer coffee tend to enjoy a cup of this once in a while,and it can easily be made bulletproof, too. Yerba mate comes from the leaves of South American rainforest trees and is lauded for offering better-balanced nutrition and energy than coffee, kola nut, tea, guarana, or cocoa.
So, what is in the leaves? There are 15 different amino acids inside along with 24 vitamins and minerals, and a whole host of antioxidants to keep your body healthy. It also contains not just caffeine, but two other stimulants called theobromine and theophylline. As you might guess, that gives you a huge energy boost. The one tip that you might want to use if you choose this beverage is to use a French press since it makes straining the mixture much easier.
Iced Bulletproof Coffee
Ingredients:
- 2 to 3 cups of morning brewed strong coffee
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of unsalted, grass-fed butter
- 1 to 2 tablespoons of MCT or coconut oil
Instructions:
All you need to do is take the ingredients above and mix them well in a blender. Next, you want to allow the mixture to cool before you add ice cubes and drink the beverage.
The first thing you want to do is make the bulletproof coffee the same way you usually would, but you will want to put it in the refrigerator once it is done. It’s best to serve over ice once it has chilled enough for you. On days when you feel tired in the afternoon, a second cup of bulletproof coffee at lunch can be helpful. It can also help to curb hunger.
However, sometimes having a hot beverage later in the day can make you tired. It also is a bit difficult to create bulletproof coffee in most offices, which puts another wrinkle into things.
If this is the case, brew extra coffee in the morning and bring it with you to work to stay in the refrigerator. At the point where you start needing some mental clarity, or a pick me up, all you need is to grab some ice and pour the coffee over it. One of the great things about this method is that it holds up well as far as taste is concerned, especially if you make it slightly stronger than you usually would.
Chai Latte Bulletproof
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of organic strong-brewed black tea
- 1 tablespoon of unsalted, grass-fed butter
- 1 tablespoon of organic coconut oil
- ¼ teaspoon of ginger to taste
- ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon to taste
- A few drops of Stevia or 1 teaspoon of honey
Instructions:
The tea you brew for this latte is going to be strong, and once it has finished brewing, you can put all the ingredients in the blender and go wild. This is a beverage that you should serve hot.
One of the most popular drinks in the world is the chai latte, which might not be surprising when you see how many chai drinks are available at coffee houses like Starbucks. However, most of these beverages are far from healthy and can lead to gaining weight. That is why the bulletproof version can be an excellent alternative for anyone who wants to feel good and stay healthy.
For those who do not enjoy coffee, this is one of the tastiest alternatives you can find. Even if you aren’t big on tea, you may find that the flavor of it surprises you and your taste buds. The thing is that even when you order a healthy beverage, adding things to it can increase the sugar and saturated fat that you are consuming. This lets you enjoy the tea you want but removes all the ingredients that aren’t healthy for your body.
Bulletproof Japanese Matcha Green Tea
Ingredients:
- 1 ½ cups of hot but not boiling water
- 1 tablespoon of grass-fed unsalted butter or coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon of organic matcha green tea powder
- Stevia, honey, or maple syrup to taste
- Sprinkle of cinnamon, optional
Instructions:
This is another simple recipe where you mix up all the ingredients in your trusty blender before pouring the beverage into a mug. You can add a touch of cinnamon on top if you like and then drink.
This recipe was created to cater to those who want the benefits of bulletproof but prefer to indulge with tea instead of coffee. While there are tons of recipes with green tea and a handful with black tea, few exist using matcha green tea. This is one of the options you have available if that is your favorite beverage.
Something you may have noticed is that many of the bulletproof tea recipes showcased here are altered from the traditional bulletproof coffee recipe. You can see the difference in this recipe by the fact that you are expected to use oil or butter instead of both. (Although you can add both in half amounts if you would rather.)
You’ll also find that most of the tea recipes call for some sweetener, though most of the time these are things like honey or Stevia. It might be the fact that tea is organic that this occurs. In the case of oil or butter, the drink might be a bit too oily with both included.
Wrapping Up
Bulletproof coffee is a great way to lose weight, and it can work with many diets that control the number of carbohydrates that you eat. However, a simple bulletproof coffee can sometimes be too bland, so we wanted to share some of the top recipes that keep your coffee healthy while adding a bit of taste to your palate at the same time. Whether you like tea or coffee, you should find some options to fit your needs here.
Bonus Questions:
1. Can you use salted butter for bulletproof coffee?
While it is not recommended to use salted butter in coffee, you can choose to do so if you prefer the taste. Most people don’t like the combination of the coffee taste with salt, which is why you are urged to purchase unsalted butter instead.
2. Is butter in coffee bad for you?
Bulletproof coffee is filled with lots of great fats, which means you are going to have extra energy and a reduced appetite. However, it does not have all the nutrients that you might find in a complete breakfast.
3. Is MCT oil good for you?
MCT oils have many different health benefits, and supplements using MCT oil can be beneficial to human health. While these oils may not cause dramatic weight loss, they can help with weight management. Some believe these oils also help boost endurance and energy.
4. What does butter coffee do for you?
Adding unsalted butter to your coffee is believed to help amplify cognitive function and lead to increased mental clarity. When you are on a keto diet, the MCT oil is converted by the liver into ketones. The ketones are a significant energy source for your brain cells.
5. What are the side effects of MCT oil?
In most cases, MCT oil is safe for people when consumed orally or intravenously. Some of the side effects can include diarrhea, intestinal gas, vomiting, stomach discomfort, irritability, and nausea.
6. Does ketosis make you smell?
Some people who are on ketogenic diets notice that their breath begins to smell a bit fruity. This is something that is a result of elevated ketone levels. The largest culprit is acetone, which is a ketone that leaves the body through your breath and urine.
7. Why am I not losing weight on the keto diet?
One of the primary reasons that people have trouble losing weight on a ketogenic diet is because they are still consuming too many carbohydrates. To reach the point of ketosis, you must consume far fewer carbohydrates than you might normally.
8. Can you have cheat days on keto?
Most diets offer up cheat days where you can enjoy consuming whatever you like the most for a limited time. The ketogenic diet is no exception to that rule. However, research shows that drinking a soda or eating a plate of fries can contribute to damaged blood vessels so cheat days should be avoided.
9. What does ketosis feel like?
When you start on the ketosis diet, most people feel weaker and more tired than they are accustomed. This happens as the body switches from burning carbohydrates for energy to burning fat. Carbs are known to offer a quicker burst of energy for the body.
10. How can I get into ketosis quickly?
There are a few different ways to let your body go into ketosis quickly. The first is to minimize your consumption of carbs. Doing more physical activity and adding coconut oil to your diet can also help. Making sure you eat enough protein is essential.
Related Content:
What is Bulletproof Coffee? Learn More About How to Make it and its Benefits! (Video)
Excellent Ways to Create Stunning Bulletproof Coffee
How to Make the Best Coffee in a French Press
Coffee Making Methods for the Modern Age
Sources:
https://www.homegrounds.co/bulletproof-coffee-recipes/
https://scottjeffrey.com/bulletproof-coffee-recipe/
https://www.kroger.com/r/bulletproof-coffee-recipe/5c17c9469da07c074c2bc641