I have this thing for coffee. I like it a lot. I drink almost a whole pot full myself – I do share a little bit with Barry because I’m nice like that.
I also have this thing for flavored coffees. I love a good hazelnut blend….or even a fantastic mocha. But, here is something you might not know about us – we are caffeine free (except for chocolate, because to be chocolate free would be like going without deodorant).
While stores and business are chock full of great options for flavored coffees of the CAFFEINATED kind, us who drink decaf are kinda left in the dark. “Yeah, you? Okay, here’s regular and a French vanilla because I’m feeling generous.” Lame.
So, today I’m going to share with you 4 ways that I flavor our coffee grounds at home. This would also be a fantastic gift option if there are awesome people in your life who drink decaf. FIST BUMP TO ALL MY DECAF PEEPS! BOOYA!
Spices
This is my favorite way to flavor grounds. To my grounds in the basket, I add about 1/8 teaspoon of cinnamon, apple pie spice or pumpkin pie spice. You can add more, but it seems to make the coffee maker act a little funky. Funky chicken = cool. Funky coffee pot = not cool.
If you want to make this in bulk, you could add a couple teaspoons to your bag of coffee grounds (or to the beans as you grind them) and mix well.
Extracts
Okay, so I also have this thing for extracts. I think I have about every one known to man…I like to flavor my own yogurt, what can I say? You CAN flavor your coffee by adding the extracts to your coffee cup…or you can add about 1 teaspoon of extract to the grounds in your basket. Think chocolate extract = mocha.
If you want to make this in bulk, you would add 3-4 tablespoons of extract to your bag of coffee and shake well. It won’t make it clump…but it will make it awesome.
Nuts and Dried Fruit
Okay, so I know this one is weird. It’s my least favorite, because the flavor is so subtle…but it is a nice variation from regular coffee. I like to grind my beans fresh for each pot of coffee – so when I’m doing that, I add 8 almonds and about 1 tablespoon of dried blueberries. Grind away baby.
You can do this in bulk if you like, but I haven’t. You would just add more almonds and dried fruit. Like I noted, this one is the least flavorful of the options.
Cocoa Powder
I like trying different cocoa powders. Is that weirdo? I usually have about 3-4 different kinds on hand all the time. Anywho, for this option, add about 1/2 – 1 tablespoon of cocoa to your coffee grounds and mix well…then dump in your brewing basket.
Easy to make in bulk – add about ¼-1/3 cup of cocoa to your coffee grounds and mix well. Mocha anyone?
Dried Coconut
I have this thing for coconut – and if you stick around long enough here, you’ll notice. For this option, add a small handful of toasted unsweetened coconut to your coffee beans before grinding. You can do regular coconut, but the toasted gives a better flavor.
Also easy to do in bulk – proceed like you would with the almonds.
SPECIAL NOTE – coffee makers are ornery little boogers. This works for my pot, but yours might be like my Mother-in-Law’s….possessed and angry about life. So, try one option out on your maker before going crazy and making large quantities. Amen. Butt covering over.
Can these be done in bulk and repackaged for gifts? If so how long will they last?
Probably! And honestly, I have no idea. We go through coffee really fast, so lasting hasn’t been something I have studied. ha ha!
Tried the cocoa at work, made a HUGE mess!!! Water would NOT filter through and this caused grounds to poor out of the filter basket and go EVERYWHERE!! Not sure how to fix this cuz this sounded amazing
Maybe it’s a difference in coffee makers? I use the 1/2 tablespoon and mix into the grounds and it does fine in our pot. <3
OMG…you are a lifesaver!!! I don’t take sugar in my coffee so I hate the flavoured creamers and syrups…but LIVE flavoured coffee. Also I am a type 2 diabetic…a rebellious one…who is looking for ways to behave myself. I have been putting some frozen fruit in my plain yogurt and choking it down. I just added almond extract to it…. I CAN NOT BELIEVE THE DIFFERENCE!!!! THANK YOU SO MUCH!!!
Love not live lol
This is going to sound dumb but I use a Keurig because I am the only one who really drinks coffee at my house. I am caffeine free because of a heart condition. There are very limited decaf options in Michigan especially since I won’t pay the high price for decaf pods. I like using my own reusable filter. I can’t do the flavored creamers because of the side effects from carrageen and the huge amount of sugar in them. Thank God I found this blog because I was about to give up on coffee altogether!
Well goodness I’m glad you didn’t give up on a coffee! That’s no world I want to live in 🙂 Thanks for taking the time to comment – we all appreciate it!
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Thank you so much! I will be trying these all out. (I’m a coconut freak too)
Snickerdoodle coffee – add Stevia and Cinnamon before brewing.
Oooh – that sounds delicious!
— Julie, HH Team
You should recommend the bodum coffee making kit.. no filter and no maker.. it makes the addition of other flavor adding ingredients easy
Never heard of that one – thanks for sharing!
Grinding black peppercorns with your coffee is surprisingly delicious!
I didn’t know!
I’ve got a thing I do.
I put a teaspoon of peanut butter in with the grounds in my coffee machine. I also add some sliced banana to the coffee pot just before turning the pot on and letting it brew. I end up with a delicious banana nut coffee that I top off with a little vanilla creamer. Deelicious.
That’s one I haven’t heard before! 🙂 Thanks for putting it here for others to see!
Ok, so I came here because I also drink decaf but LOVE Dunkin Donuts coconut coffee. I love the extract idea…what I did not expect was to get two great ideas for the price of one! I have been trying to ditch the flavored yogurts for years (because of all the additives) but like I said, I love coconut…so when I read that you flavor your yogurt with extract I was flabbergasted! Why didn’t I think of that?! I’m weirdly excited to go out and buy some plain yogurt and coconut extract today. THANK YOU!
I’m so glad it was helpful, Michelle! 🙂
Me too, happy I found your article. We could save a few bucks by adding our own flavorings too! Once I added way too much cinnamon…it turned into a big blob and the water wouldn’t drip. I thought it was my coffee maker. I had another coffee maker, tried again and the same thing happened. Yes, cinnamon will funk up your coffee maker. I have some cocoa and thought about adding that to the grinds before I brew but wasn’t sure if I should or how much. You answered that for me too. Thank you and Happy New Year!
I’ve had a few cinnamon FAILS myself. Ha ha! 🙂
You have just been a huge help to me! My mom went to Jamaica and bought a coconut-flavored coffee we’ve all loved, but now that the bag is gone I’ve been spending the past hour–at least–searching through three different search engines to try to buy more for her for Christmas…to no avail. I finally just threw my hands up and decided to try to make some…this post has solved my problem! There’s a Fresh Market store nearby where I can buy toasted unsweetened coconut and I’ll find some fair-trade Jamaican coffee to grind it with and put it together with a nice presentation for her…thanks a bunch!
I hope it works great for you!!!
Just what I was looking for, thanks!
What great tips! I actually am obsessed with stirring cocoa into my cup of coffee. Dutch process only please- as it’s easier on my tummy, and actually helps with the acid from the coffee. Best of all? It’s chocolate! My favorite brand is Hershey’s special dark cocoa! I could eat it off the spoon:) Peppermint is also a nice addition as it’s fun to make a peppermint mocha:) Great tips Stacy!
I just brewed a pot this morning with Cocoa mixed into the grounds. Never thought of stirring it into the coffee? And Peppermint!!! *running out to get some peppermint extract today* Thanks for the great idea!
Life-Changing, right?! So glad you enjoyed it:) You can also use peppermint essential oil if you have a version that is safe to ingest (like Young Living’s Peppermint Vitality).
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Congratulations you are featured on Full Plate Thursday this week. Hope you have a great weekend and enjoy your new Red Plate.
Miz Helen
Thank you , Miz Helen!!!
Thanks for linking up at our Gluten Free Fridays party! I have tweeted and pinned your entry to our Gluten Free Fridays board on Pinterest! 🙂
Hope your week is great!
Cindy from vegetarianmamma.com
how about adding some peppermint oil or extract to the coffe grounds then adding cocoa for a peppermint mocha coffee? my fave
Well I hit upon your site while surfing pinterest, gotta say I have really enjoyed what I have read so far! I am going to add the cocoa to my coffee tonight for in the morning- hurry morning;-)
What a great idea! Thank you so much for taking the time during this busy season to share
your wonderful post with Full Plate Thursday. Have a wonderful weekend
and hope to see you again real soon!
Miz Helen
Probably so much cheaper and tastier to flavor coffee yourself. Thanks for sharing your ideas with us on foodie friday.
How SMART! I am always wondering what is REALLY in my flavored coffee!
I think you just made my winter so much more awesome. I have been loving my hot cocoa made with stevia since going caffeine free (I love my strong cocoa now) But every now and then I’ve been wanting coffee and I love my coffee with flavor. And I don’t never have gotten into those weird creamers– I want real flavor. Adding it to the cup just isn’t the same unless it’s extracts. Thanks for the 1/8 tsp. limit per basket limit on ground spices, because I have had the funky overflowing basket thing happen and I haven’t figured out the max that screws up that filter. An overflowing counter of coffee just isn’t as fun as a cupful.
We felt much like you re: decaf coffee flavor options. That is precisely why our Organic, super-fresh home-roasted coffee beans are offered in all of our yummy flavors in DECAF too! 🙂 (We personally drink the decaf). http://www.johnsjava.net
oh you are my hero! thank you from this yes-I-can-drink-a-whole-pot-myself-but-I-will-share-a-cup-with-you woman. This is genius and I cannot believe I never thought of this myself!
Love this idea! I like Mocha too and might have to try this! Come see me at http://www.hopefloatsandmore.blogspot.com
Love this!
My grocery store has some amazing bulk coffee options. I buy vanilla hazelnut decaf whole bean and it is so very good! I have some chocolate brownie to try next?
I can’t remember my disqus sign in and I really don’t want to hassle. So I’ll just tell you- it’s Nicole from 365ish Days of Pinterest. 🙂 Thanks for linking up to Let’s Get Real! But isn’t the point of coffee caffeine? 🙂 (I hate the stuff, but this was very interesting!)
No – I honestly just like how it tastes. 🙂
I would love to read your posts but apparently its just a bunch of letters. Would you please check out the post on four options for coffee
Hmmmm. Not sure what to tell you. It seems to be working fine?
Good think you added an ‘s to the end of Mother in Law, otherwise we would wonder what sort of mother in law you have!
BHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
I should also mention that my all-time FAVORITE flavored coffee is hands-down Santa’s White Christmas by Barnie’s Coffee. It has flavors of coconut, caramel, vanilla and nuts (my guess is maybe hazelnut, but I could be wrong). Definitely worth a try at least once.
Holy cow. I would totally drink that RIGHT NOW.
It is the MOST AWESOME coffee of ALL TIME. quite literally. I’m from Florida, where the wonderful Publix sells it all year long! But now I’m in Michigan (no Publix. No santas white christmas. Thanks hubby! ) and this coffee is what brought me to your post, trying to make it myself and getting ideas on what works best!
I hope you find what works!!
When you figure out the ratio Chanda Smith please post it so I could have the recipe
I’ll have to try these sometime. I don’t drink coffee every day, but when I do, I like hazelnut or hazelnut/vanilla flavored. Since I don’t drink it every day, I personally don’t mind whether it’s caffeinated or not. My husband however believes that decaffeinated coffee is, “useless brown water” lol.
LOL Well, he can be wrong sometimes. 😉
LOL…so does my hubby. Somebody gaveus a huge can of decaf. He wanted to trash it but I convinced him to mix it with regular. It was fine. Nobody knew except the 2 of us.
Thank you so much for this post! I don’t drink coffee, total tea lover, but my husband LOVES it and has also gone caffeine free. Even the flavored ones you can buy he won’t due to the extra sugar/fat that is in them. He is going to love this.
I have that same coffee maker as you…I love it that it keeps the coffee hot without the glass carafe.
I also organize my spices the same way as you…in the drawer in baby food jars. So much easier to see what the things are by reading the lids from the top. I can’t remember where I saw that idea, but I loved it and have been doing it for years.
Such great ideas…you are so creative!
Oh, yummy! This is one of those, “Oh, DUH” moments for me. It never occurred to me to flavor my own coffee. *laughs*
Some extract flavors are really hard to find. I know Watkins has a bunch of them. Just google Watkins to find a distributor close to you. I sell The Gourmet Cupboard and we sell nice flavors of coffee, but only 5 flavors are decaf. As opposed to 21 flavors that aren’t decaf. I never even thought about making them at home. Thank you so much for the flavoring ideas. I really do like special flavors on special days.
I love Watkins!
So do I. Time to find a Watkins dealer.
You can also go to the Kuerig website for their coffee pods. A whole slew of flavors. And 1-2 coffee pods is enough for a pot of coffee. You might get some flavor ideas from there. Some of my friends use caramel or fudge ice cream syrup in their coffee. Or the Tosini’s flavored syrups. Just a couple of suggestions.
I also use spices sprinkled in my grounds. Or added to the beans to grind. Apple spice, or pumpkin spice or just plain cinnaman. I do shake the grounds in the basket a tad. If the spices are not stirred or blended in the grounds you get a puff of powder and it doesn’t blend in. I LOVE candy cane coffee. Have used the extracts and syrups. But last Christmas I had a huge bag left over of those mini canes. Yep, works well either ground with beans or just snapped in pieces dropped in basket or in the pot. Cherry flavor or the cherry canes are good also. Not quite the level as Mountain Cherry coffee…but good in a pinch.
Thank you for this article!!! I now can increase my coffee flavor menu!! Mmmmm
Just wanted to let you know how pleased I was to have the opportunity to vote for you in the funniest blogger contest. Today’s post being another terrific example of your awesome funniness. “possessed and angry about life” coffee makers! You make my day! Blessings on yours.
THANK YOU!!!!
Sounds delicious as I sit here drinking my pumpkin spice morning coffee. 🙂
As a new coffee drinker I enjoyed this post. I am going to give some of these a try.
I am glad you’ve come over to the dark side.
I have that exact.coffee maker! 🙂 I will have to try a few. It seems the possibilities are endless.