Having trouble drinking unsweetened coffee? Check out this easy-peasy recipe for cinnamon-coconut coffee, and your unsweetened coffee will be palatable.
What I thought would be the biggest challenge to completing the Whole 30 turned out to be not much of a challenge at all: drinking unsweetened coffee.
In case you haven’t been following along with my self-care posts this months, during the month of July I committed to eliminating all grains, legumes, dairy, and sweeteners. Not even natural sweeteners–like honey, maple syrup or stevia–are allowed on the Whole 30!
At first, I thought there was no way I would be able to drink unsweetened coffee. So I tried to give up coffee all together.
In a huge lapse of judgement (and I guess overestimating my will power a bit!), I decided to take the plunge and begin my new exercise class, start the Whole 30 and give up coffee–all on the same day!
To my utter shock, I didn’t have any of the classic coffee detox symptoms–like headaches or grouchiness…for the first three days. I now credit the exercise with giving me the energy boost I needed.
Even though I never did experience a “coffee headache,” by day 3 my attitude stunk. My husband took me aside and said: “Please just drink coffee. Even if you have to cheat and use a bit of honey…please just do it.”
I knew there was no way I could drink coffee black, but determined not to cut corners so early into the Whole 30, I opted to try livening up my coffee with coconut milk.
I could barely choke it down.
I next tried “sweetening” it with a dollop of coconut cream. Coconut cream is thicker and creamier than coconut milk by itself.
My coffee was better but definitely not enjoyable.
Then one day it hit me: Perhaps I should try a little cinnamon?
When I had gestational diabetes during my 2nd pregnancy, I had used cinnamon to faux sweeten my oatmeal and other dishes.
Bingo.
The combination of coconut cream and cinnamon not only made my unsweetened coffee palatable–it was now delicious.
Without further ado, check out this easy-peasy recipe (if you can call it that!) for cinnamon-coconut coffee!
Ingredients
- 1 cup coffee
- 1 whopping dollop of coconut cream
- generous sprinkling of cinnamon
Instructions
- Pour brewed coffee into mug.
- Mix in a whopping dollop of coconut cream.
- Sprinkle generously with cinnamon, and stir to combine.
Notes
A note on the coffee and coconut cream:
I love Volcanica Coffee! They offer affordable gourmet coffee, and use sustainable practices to protect the environment and the local coffee farmers.
I tried using the Goya brand of coconut cream, but it was gross. It was honestly too sweet, and I was shocked to see a very different consistency than the Trader Joe’s brand.
My recommendation is the Trader Joe’s brand, but you can also make your own coconut cream by putting high quality coconut milk–like the Native Forest brand–in the refrigerator. The cream will separate and harden and you can then scoop it off the top. Cheaper brands of coconut milk will not harden like this. (Trust me–I’ve tried it!)
I get my Native Forest coconut milk from Vitacost. You can use my referral code to get $5 off your first order.
AmandaG
you can also add cinnamon to the coffee grounds to give you coffee a cinnamon flavor while it brews! I do this all the time especially in the fall.
Dawn @ Reveal Natural Health
Ooh I LOVE this idea! I have never thought of adding cinnamon while the coffee brews. I will definitely try this!
Kirsten
Also a very small pinch of salt while brewing . It is undetectable but the other flavors are enhanced.
Dawn @ Reveal Natural Health
I am also a big coffee fan. I usually drink 1 cup black in the mornings as I get started with work. I admit it doesn’t taste great but it helps me feel ready to work. It has become a part of my morning routine. Then in the early afternoon I may make an iced coffee drink using cold brew coffee concentrate with milk, vanilla and maple syrup (I know that doesn’t work with your whole 30 plan). If you are interested in making cold brew coffee, here is a recipe I use that was developed by a blogging friend of mine: http://brendid.com/cold-brewed-coffee/. It made me laugh how you turned flavored coffee into a “recipe.” 🙂
Bren Did (@bren_did)
Thanks for the mention, Dawn! Cold brewed coffee is a lot less acidic so I find that it needs less sweetner to taste sweet.
Erin
I’ll have to try it!
Juli
BULLETPROOF COFFEE!!! Love it, love it, love it!!! Went from more sugar than coffee in a cup to no sweetner at all, ever!!! 1 Tbsp grassfed unsalted butter and 1 Tbsp coconut oil to one cup of black coffee, spin it in your blender- DELICIOUS!!!!
Heather @ My Overflowing Cup
I have gestational diabetes when I am pregnant and found cinnamon to be quite a help as well. You can also try a sort of Pumpkin Pie Spice Latte flavor if you use pumpkin pie spice instead of cinnamon. I don’t drink my coffee sweetened, but I do like it very creamy. My favorite is half and half, but I have always wanted to try it with coconut milk. Thanks so much for the tip!
Saira
I’ve been on a modified bulletproof coffee breakfast shake kick recently.
1 Tbsp good butter
1 Tbsp coconut oil
1 Tbsp Diatomaceous Earth
1 Tbsp sweetener (usually maple syrup) optional
1 scoop chocolate whey powder (no artificial sweeteners)
1 cup coffee
1 cup milk
I like to blend all the first ingredients in the hot coffee first with the immersion blender, then add the milk. It helps to froth the coconut oil. Otherwise the coconut oil can clump up a bit.
Sarah
I love cinnamon in my coffee. I recently started putting butter (about a tablespoon) in my coffee and mixing it with my stick blender. It’s soooo good!
Heather
oh, this made me laugh! I tried quitting coffee several months ago and on day 3, my husband told me the same thing… PLEASE, just have some coffee!! A few months ago I tried doing a detox cleanse and had to cut out dairy… I’m a strict vegetarian and rarely consume dairy anyway… except in my coffee. So I did exactly what you did, coconut milk and cinnamon. I am going to try the coconut cream instead of the milk, I feel like my coffee needs some kind of “cream” consistency. Thanks for sharing this!!!
Holly Kody
This sounds great! I love coffee, but I also love my peppermint creamer. I know it’s not very healthy, so I’m wanting to try something new. My only question is, does it taste like coconut? I learned recently when I tried to use coconut oil as a substitute in some recipes that I don’t like coconut flavor much. But I do want a healthy alternative.
Heidi
My coconut oil does not taste like coconut at all maybe just try a different brand. I use spectrum organic refined coconut oil. But the cooking spray made by the same brand does taste like coconut quite a bit.
Holly Kody
Thank you, Heidi! I will!
Heather
I had the same issue… unrefined coconut oil will have the coconut flavor. If you want a neutral/non coconut flavor, you’ll need to use refined oil. I’m not sure why that is the case, but I do know that the refined oil removes the protein from the oil— maybe that is where the coconut flavor is? Get the refined coconut oil, and you should be okay 🙂 hope that helps!
Karen
Thanks for this! Planning to start the Whole30 this weekend; however , my greatest worry has been coffee! I take it very creamy. I feel a little better now:)
Poopy Doo
Use heavy whipping cream (no carbs!) and brew with cinnamon in coffee grounds. It is like dessert & tends to make you “less hungry.”
My boyfriend introduced me to this & I have lost 65 pounds in less than 2 years & my dr. just “pronounced” me EXTREMELY fit. All blood test readings were “fantastic.”
Becky
This looks yummy! I have a can of coconut cream in my pantry, but have been timid to open it. How long does coconut cream keep once opened? How/Where do you keep it?
Amy B
You are a genius! When I started transitioning my family to real food, I gave up my favorite store bought creamer full of yucky ingredients. I tried drinking my coffee black or with coconut oil, and I didn’t hate it but I just didn’t love it anymore, so I finally gave it up entirely. But I’ve missed enjoying a really yummy cup of coffee ever since! And this totally did the trick!! I am amazed at how much flavor the cinnamon adds!! I am now enjoying a delightful cup of coffee and a short bit of quiet while my little one naps! Love!! Thank you so much for the wonderful idea!
Betzy R
Does your coconut cream do not have a sugar? I know Goya brand has a lot of sugar! If it does, that won’t make the cut for Whole 30 🙁
Erin
Mine did not, Betzy…but you can also make your own coconut cream but letting a can of coconut milk “gel” in the fridge. Hope that helps!
Liz
I’m on day 15 of whole30 and my favorite coffee has been put the coconut milk in a mason jar and shake it for about 1 minute. Then microwave for about a minute. Add it to already brewed coffee with cinnamon! It’s almost like a latte!
Erin
Oh that sounds AMAZING!! Thank you for sharing, Liz! I need to do another Whole 30!
Lou
Will definitely try this!! I’ve been trying to cut down on coffee for ages but just not working I get the headaches so badly. But the best coconut cream is the new can from Samoa called ‘Savai’i Popo’ it is the real deal, it doesn’t separate like many of the Asian coconut creams and no artificial flavoursand and healthier. Can’t wait to try this
Susan
Vanilla is also good for making things seem sweet without actually sweetening them.
Devin
Does the coconut cream need to be refrigerated before use?
Erin
It does do better if it is refrigerated, especially if you are using coconut milk and wanting to skim the cream. For that, it’s best to put the can of coconut milk in the fridge the night before.
Felix
I am outside of US and bought a less known brand of coconut cream. I think it reads “Master Chef” in local language and has “Eastern Finest” (or Asia’s Finest) writing on it too. It nowhere near looks as one on spoon in your photo though. It is not as thick as your and does not look like having consistency yours has. It is more liquid and is chunky and I think it’s because I put it in freezer and forgot about it. I had to let it thaw and as it returned to normal consistency, it could be that addition of water as a result of thawing that caused the liquidity and cunkiness.