5 tips for healthier coffee habits in 2023

As we begin the new year, we’re presented with the opportunity to implement new goals, objectives, and habits. The most popular areas for improvement typically deal with health, lifestyle, and budget.

With that in mind, we want to help set you all up with some tips and tricks for your coffee consumption to give you the confidence to navigate your coffee needs in 2023 and beyond.

First of all, let’s start with health. If you’re like us, you’ve probably been eating a little too well through the holidays and who can blame us! Calories don’t necessarily count during the holidays anyway, right?! Oh, wait… They do. But what fun is calorie counting when you’re surrounded by various forms of delicious food for weeks on end? Alas, now that the holiday season has come to an end, it’s time to get back to a more sustainable way of eating/drinking. With that in mind, let’s take a look at how you can make your café experience a bit more compatible with your resolution to eat/drink a bit healthier.

HEALTHY RESOLUTIONS

The most affordable and health conscious thing you can do is drink your coffee black and skip the calories from added sugars, flavors, milk and dairy alternatives. Coffee has many health benefits including being rich in antioxidants and being linked to reduced risk of many diseases— however, not everyone is a fan of drinking their coffee straight. So, how do we order a drink that is healthier and still tastes good? We’re glad you asked…

1. Use better milk—whether you’re making your coffee at home or at a coffee shop, make sure the milk you’re using is high-quality. At the Caffeinery, we are proud to partner with Oberweis for our dairy products. Oberweis’s minimal processing methods result in maximum flavor and nutrition—better milk = better lattes! This milk will have a more full and natural sweetness that accentuates the coffee rather than just cutting back the bitter notes.
2. Speaking of bitter notes… Not all coffee is created equal. A lot of coffees are roasted way past the point of no return and are intended to be used in heavily flavored drinks. When you work with coffee that is treated with respect and is roasted by skilled artisans, a lot of the more subtle flavors and sweetness is preserved and is a lot more pleasant and desirable. If you’re used to getting flavored lattes, you can ask to have your drink made less sweet or you could even opt for a simpler order. Perhaps you go from a three flavor latte down to a simple vanilla or caramel and revel in the simplicity while also cutting back on added calories.  
3. Keto & Low Carb—Make your coffee keto and low-carb friendly by forgoing dairy altogether or adding a splash of heavy cream, and if you want some sweetness, consider adding a little sugar-free syrup (I tend to prefer the SF vanilla or caramel). One of our favorite low-carb drinks is a take on the beehive latte—americano or cold brew, heavy cream, cinnamon, and some sugar-free vanilla…. Chef’s kiss.
4. Try out a more natural alternative sweetener—if you need some extra sweetness, opt for a natural sweetener like Stevia.
5. Consider switching to decaf after 2pm—anything in excess can be unhealthy, and that includes caffeine. Caffeine at the wrong times is likely to adjust your blood sugar levels and can lead to a bit of hunger later in the day. Thankfully, we have you covered with our delicious decaf options at home or in the coffee shop.

BUDGET RESOLUTIONS

If you’re like most of us, money tends to get a little tight after the holiday season and you’re looking to save a few dollars, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop living your life. In fact, there’s a number of ways that you can treat yourself to exceptional coffee while also saving some $$!

1. Brew better coffee at home. You’re not doing yourself any favors buying whatever is on sale at the grocery store. You deserve better. Consider one of our coffee subscriptions and save 10% off of the retail price (save even more with a prepaid subscription)! Subscriptions are flexible and convenient. Oh, and look to maximize your shipping costs by opting to get 4 bags once a month instead of weekly. Pro tip, it costs the same to ship a 12-ounce bag as it does 5# and you get a discount by buying in bulk. If you’re buying whole beans and opt for 4x 12-ounce bags, the sealed bags will stay plenty fresh if you open a new one each week. What’s more, you will have only spent $5 on shipping rather than the $20 you would have spent having a new bag shipped each week. OR, you could just buy it all at once and quality for FREE SHIPPING on all orders over $45!
2. Consider stepping up your home coffee equipment game and enjoy considerable savings. Making coffee at home doesn’t have to be a drag. Here are a few areas for improvement.

• Invest in a decent coffee brewer. I know it’s tempting to save money and get a $20 Mr Coffee Machine, but you get what you pay for. We recommend MoccaMaster Brewers and conveniently enough, we sell them. They aren’t the cheapest machines, but well worth it. If that’s a bit salty for your tastes, consider investing in a decent pour-over setup. Either path will drastically improve your home coffee experience.
• Grind your own coffee. We recommend going the burr grinder route if possible. Blade grinders are affordable, but they do a fairly lousy and inconsistent job when it comes to grinding coffee. Besides, buying whole bean coffee is a much better option in terms of freshness and cup quality. If a grinder is not in the budget at the moment, you’re in luck. We roast and grind all of our coffees to order and can ensure that your beans are ground for your preferred brewing method!
• Proper water filtration can make a drastic improvement to the quality of the brews you’re making at home. Consider a filtration system that was designed with coffee and tea in mind. We recommend the following.
• Home espresso machines have become a lot more affordable and could be a worthwhile investment if you’re willing to put in the time and effort to learn how to do it all properly. Well-trained baristas make it look easy, but it’s a legit craft that deserves respect. That’s not to say that everyone that hands you a coffee is a highly trained barista, but you should learn to know the difference.

3. Branch out from what you order at your local shops. Remember quantity isn’t everything. Perhaps move from a 20oz latte to a 6oz cappuccino! You’ll receive the same amount of caffeine at a fraction of the price and you might find that you enjoy it more. Explore traditional espresso menus and find a good fit for you! Who knows, you might find a new favorite that you never knew existed.