May I bring you a cup of coffee? Welcome words to the cold and weary, the newly awoken, the late-night student, and the busy Mom. To quote Thomas Jefferson, “Coffee is the favourite drink of the civilised world”.
That heady aroma of freshly ground coffee, the tantalising steam rising from a fresh cup; there is no motivation like it to put fresh energy into a busy day. But the global love of coffee made us question, in what other ways can we enjoy this bitey little bean? What other meals can we introduce it into?
The coffee bean, in its virgin state, is green and flavourless. All it needs is a little roasting to bring it into its full potential. The darker the roast the more pronounced the sweet, rich and roasty flavours will be, giving off notes of smoke, bittersweet chocolate, spice, nuts and caramel. Light roast coffee is more acidic, and more likely to produce citrus, floral, fruity and tangy aromas. Be sure to choose your beans wisely; the wrong roast on a coffee bean could throw off the balance of your dish.
When mentioning cooking with coffee our minds naturally jump to dessert; coffee and chocolate is a popular flavour combination for a reason. It is just so good! The list of coffee-infused desserts or sweets continues on almost ad infinitum, we could talk about it for days. But we will hold ourselves in check and just mention that the flavour of coffee is a brilliant way to reign in the sweetness of a dessert. Adding a small amount will give a nice, rich undertone to your recipe, while a few tablespoons will really bring the zing. Blend it into brownies for a mocha approach, mix it into coffee cake, freeze it with some sugar for an easy granita, or reduce it with sugar and cream to create a rich glaze. The options really are endless.
But we don’t want to pigeonhole coffee as a sweet treat only! The ideal wingman, coffee brings out the savoury qualities in meat, anything from beef to ham. Bolster up the flavour of your roast by incorporating coffee into your marinade. To add an extra dimension to your short ribs, including coffee in the braising liquid will give off delicious, bittersweet notes as it caramelises. We want to let chicken in on the action as well; stirring a little coffee into your barbecue sauce creates a perfect companion to our favourite bird.
All this cooking won’t hold us back from our daily cuppa. If you have some grounds left over, they make a great addition to your spice rack. The combination of ground coffee, salt and paprika will add some extra pizazz to your dishes. Use it to make spice-crusted pork, combine it with cocoa for a mocha-like spice coating for lamb. Again, the possibilities are seemingly limitless.
Who knew the humble breakfast beverage could have so many applications? We’ve seen coffee grounds touted as a waste-saving fertiliser for your garden or even a natural face scrub! Don’t let the status-quo keep you from experimenting with this versatile and delicious bean.
