Coffee

Coffee, from Coffea seeds, adds bitterness and warmth to recipes.

Flavor

How to use it

Dessert Depth. Add brewed coffee to cakes; it enhances chocolate and adds depth with bitterness.

Meat's Secret Weapon. Use ground coffee in spice rubs; its earthiness complements and enhances roasted meats.

Common mistakes

• Stale coffee lacks flavor.
• Over-brewing increases bitterness.

What goes with coffee

• Cocoa. Both share methylxanthines, deepening bitter and earthy flavors.
• Cream. Cream's fat smooths out coffee’s bitter tannins.
• Hazelnut. Coffee's bitterness contrasts with hazelnut's sweetness.
• Milk. Milk's fat and sugar soften coffee's bitterness.
• Cardamom. Cardamom’s floral spice layers onto coffee's roasted profile.
• Sugar. Sugar offsets coffee's bitterness, smoothing the taste.
• Cinnamon. Cinnamaldehyde adds sweet aroma, offsetting coffee’s bitterness.
• Vanilla. Vanillin provides aromatic sweetness, rounding coffee’s edge.

Try tonight

• Make an affogato with espresso and ice cream.
• Use in a barbecue rub for ribs.
• Enhance chocolate tart filling with coffee.

Storage

Store beans or grounds in an airtight container, away from light and moisture.