Morning coffee is a ritual. It holds more than caffeine, it often carries a cultural significance as a practice, an art, and, in the most extreme cases, a devotion. Coffee consumption varies globally, from rich espresso shots to the beans grown from rich, fertile soils, it is a custom that extends far beyond the cup. Yet, even this revered, versatile drink isn’t immune to the wellness conquest sweeping social media. Users, many of whom capitalize off of wellness trends and content, have suggested alternatives and additives to our morning coffees, all in the pursuit of becoming more “well”. So what is the wellness wave suggesting we change about our daily coffees and how does this fit into larger “coffee culture”? 

Additives

Like every meal, snack, or treat, protein is infiltrating the ingredient list. There is a large emphasis on protein consumption in the media for its perceived health benefits, namely building muscle and promoting cell maintenance, but also increasing feelings of satiety. It can be seen marketed in everything, posing the question whether the trend has deviated from health and wellness benefits to an advertising ploy. Regardless, protein is being added to coffee in surprising ways. Popular brands now make protein creamers, cold foams, and even instant coffees that, when consumed in the morning, can boost protein intake and promote satiation. Another common way to infuse protein into a morning cup of coffee is by adding straight protein powder, whether that be whey, pea, or the like, directly into iced or hot coffee, stirring the powder into the drink until it dissolves. If you’re someone who is concerned about protein consumption and struggles to ingest enough protein daily, these products may help fulfill that need. But protein powders and creamers can also taint the revered taste of coffee, making the drink gritty, clumpy, too sweet, or too thick. 

Other powders can be stirred into coffees to increase intake of specific nutrients. Collagen powder for example has become a popular additive to drinks as the buzz around collagen and its supposed anti-aging, pro-beauty effects, fill health and wellness pages. While yes, collagen is a useful and necessary protein for maintaining your body’s health, registered dietician and health writer, Sarah Anzlovar says, “It’s very possible to easily consume enough protein, even if you’re following a high-protein diet, without protein powders like collagen.” So, is the pursuit of health and wellness trends a valid justification for manipulating one of the world’s most sacred beverages? Or can we nourish ourselves and our bodies without the promise of a new, more effective product? 

Substitutes

For some, additives and supplements may not be the kind of coffee customization they are looking for and substitutes and alternatives may be a better way to enhance their morning beverage. After all, caffeine consumption isn’t necessarily “healthy”, especially for children and adolescents whose bodies can be hypersensitive to caffeine. Caffeine can also be addictive, leading to what feels like hangovers, with symptoms like lethargy and headaches, in the mornings before its consumption. For those looking to swap out coffee all together, there are some alternatives that offer health benefits alongside the reduction of caffeine. 

Mushroom Brews

Mushroom coffee is a trending alternative not only for its intrigue, but also for the several health benefits of medicinal mushrooms. While not completely free from coffee, this type of brew is a 1 to 1 ratio of coffee grounds and mushroom powder blended from a variety of medicinal fungi, most often including Lion’s Mane, Chaga, and Turkey Tail. These species of mushrooms are known for their concentrations of adaptogens, which are compounds used by the body to reduce stress responses. Scientist Amber Charles Alexis explains that these adaptogens may lead to an improved immune system functioning, heart disease prevention, and potentially a lowered risk of cancer. The benefits seem overwhelmingly positive, yet one major downside to this type of brew is the taste; it’s not for everyone. Once brewed, it tastes like a more nutty, weaker coffee, something that avid coffee drinkers may have to get used to if trying to make the switch. 

Golden Lattes

A warm blend of milk, or plant-based alternatives, and turmeric powder creates a yellow-tinted, cozy drink known as a Golden Latte. It’s a latte in the traditional sense, with steamed milk and a creamy, frothy texture, but there’s no coffee. Instead, the flavor and hue comes from turmeric powder, a powerful anti-inflammatory ground root used in ancient medicines and practices. While the drink can’t offer an energy boost via caffeine, the beverage is invigorating with its earthy taste. It’s common practice to add additional spices to customize the flavor. Spices like cinnamon, ginger, and black pepper add a unique taste while bringing along their own set of health benefits. While this may not satisfy the craving for an authentic latte or drip coffee in the mornings, it definitely portrays the earthy flavors of coffee, making it an applicable substitute. 

In a world of wellness trends, health hacks, and marketing ploys, coffee, though sacred, is no stranger to alternatives and additives. Think of the sugary syrups, foams, and whips every cafe or major coffee house in the U.S. has to offer. It now seems, however, as society’s attention turns towards health and wellness trends, the goal for coffee has become less about sugary sweetness and more about enhancing its health benefits. So, should we compromise coffee’s beloved, respected, and culturally diverse taste in the pursuit of wellness? It seems to be up to the drinker. 

What do you think about these healthy coffee alternatives? Let us know in the comments!