Ever since coffee was first discovered in Ethiopia, people have been creating ways to enhance flavors and emphasize its effects. From Vietnamese Egg Coffee in to Turkish Cardamom Coffee, all have their unique flavors and tastes. If you’ve ever been curious about coffee drinks from around the world, we’ve put together a quick summary of some of the strangest.
1. Butter
This one’s probably the strangest of them all. When you hear the word ‘butter’ the first thing you might think about is your morning breakfast. Most people cannot imagine putting butter into their coffee! However, this drink has existed for hundreds of years dating back to 9th century Ethiopia.
More recently, this drink has been popularized by Bulletproof Coffee, an Australian-based coffee brand that makes bold claims about the beverage. Founder of Bulletproof, Dave Asprey claims that bulletproof has numerous benefits that make it an ‘upgraded coffee’. These benefits include improved work performance, higher and prolonged energy levels, and weight loss.
2. Salt
Salt is very common in certain Scandinavian countries but is also added to coffee in countries like Turkey and Siberia. The reason many people add salt to their coffee is that it reduces bitterness. As a result of this reduced bitterness, the coffee becomes more aromatic and many of the flavours become more pronounced.
3. Egg
While it does sound very strange, this one’s actually very popular among coffee lovers and is a common addition in many countries – from Vietnam to Sweden to Cuba. And there are many different variations of this drink.
In addition to the rich taste of this drink, it also has health benefits, adding both fats and proteins to your morning brew. Ideal for gym-goers looking for a recovery drink with a bang!
4. Cinnamon
The health benefits of adding cinnamon to coffee are what make most people try it – the incredible taste is what keeps them coming back! Cinnamon is full of vitamins and nutrients, boosts your immunity system and is an anti-inflammatory, to name a few.
5. Lemon or Lime
Adding lemon or lime to your coffee can give it a tangy kick like none of the others on this list. Claims have been made that when added to coffee can have incredible weight loss impacts.
The sour flavor from the lemons or limes can also help to neutralize the bitterness of the coffee, particularly if you’re drinking espresso.
6. Cardamom
If you’re looking to add a Middle-Eastern twist to your coffee, try adding cardamom. Enjoyed in countries like Turkey and Israel, this drink has a unique flavor that is aromatic and smooth. It is said to also neutralize the effects of caffeine, so if you’re the type of person that gets jumpy from one too many coffees, then this might be the drink for you.
7. Ice Cream
Everything’s better with ice cream. Named ‘Affogato’ or ‘drowned’ in Italian, this drink is perfect for those looking for something in between a desert and a morning pick-me-up. To make this drink, all you have to do is literally pour hot coffee over a scoop of vanilla ice cream. If you already love your sweet caramel macchiatos and frappuccinos, you’ll love this!
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