If the name "butter coffee" doesn't tempt you (or at least intrigue you) all by itself, here's everything you need to know about the latest buzz in java. It's my favorite way to start my day!
A Brief History
In the Himalayan regions of Nepal, Tibet and India, making yak butter tea is an age-old tradition. Tibetans serve their guests warmly with "buttered tea," made from strong tea, yak butter, water and salt. It is customary for the host to refill the cup after each sip.
What Is Butter Coffee?
Inspired by these traditions, Bulletproof Coffee founder Dave Asprey has created a delicious new way of enhancing coffee, said to offer tremendous amounts of sustained energy, clarity, focus and satiety. Another bonus? Every ingredient is pronounceable and pure.
Whirled together in a blender, his method combines freshly brewed coffee, unsalted grass-fed butter and MCT oil. What is MCT oil? It's a medium-chain triglyceride that isolated and extracted from coconut oil. MCT's are unique because they don't have to be broken down in the intestines and are absorbed intact. They are taken to the liver and can be used directly as a long-lasting source of energy. Doesn't that sound great?! Aside from coffee, there are other ways to use MCT oil in your daily routine.
Adding grass-fed butter means you're getting vitamins A, D and K and butyric acid (a short chain fatty acid) in your morning coffee. Substituting pure, organic ghee can be an option for dairy-sensitive individuals.
Described as an uber-rich cappuccino, the result is frothy, creamy, delicious and rich in healthy fats, which the body uses to support brain function. To make your own version of butter coffee, try the simple recipe below. This method also works for earl grey, chai and other teas.
The Recipe
BLEND together the following ingredients for 10 seconds.
- 1 cup of hot coffee
- 1 Tbsp unsalted grass-fed butter or ghee
- 1 Tbsp MCT oil or coconut oil
Drink in place of breakfast.
A natural sweetener like monk fruit or yacón and spices of your choice may also be added to personalize the experience.
The use of a blender or milk frother is strongly suggested, as it prevents the oil from separating while you're drinking the beverage.
Enjoy, it's my favorite way to start my morning!
Kelly Harrington, MS, RDN
Registered Dietitian Nutritionist for Healthy Goods
Recipe from Prevention.com, Why People are Putting Butter in Their Coffee, found here.
Additional information sourced from Wikipedia, found here.
