How do you like your coffee? Nicknamed “the original superfood,” your daily cup is packed with health benefits: it wakes us up in the morning, sharpens concentration, and can improve mental health.
And that’s before we even mention its heart-healthy antioxidants. But what if you could now make your coffee even healthier? Bring on the good brew for you: a new variety of ground and instant coffees and coffee alternatives designed to enhance your well-being.
But are they good enough to swap for your daily cup of joe? LUCY DUNN opens the kettle…
Keeps the doctor away
Vitamin Coffee Complete, £3.49, Holland and Barrett
Vitamin Coffee Complete, £3.49, Holland and Barrett. This ground coffee is enriched with 14 essential vitamins and minerals.
This ground coffee is enriched with 14 essential vitamins and minerals (your recommended daily allowance) to give you caffeine and a nutritional boost in one morning cup. All beans are sustainably sourced and freshly roasted in the UK.
Verdict: A smart multitasker for people too busy to remember to take their supplements. The nutty blend of full-bodied Asian, African and Monsoon Malabar beans with hints of cocoa really came into its own.
totally cooled
CBD Coffee, £9.99, Jolly Buddha
CBD Coffee, £9.99, Jolly Buddha. Stressful day ahead? A cup of this concoction packs a gentle boost of good vibes to keep you calm and focused.
It does not contain THC, the compound in cannabis, so it will not give you a high. Pictured: CBD Coffee, £9.99, Cheerful Buddha
Stressful day ahead? A cup of this concoction packs a gentle boost of good vibes to keep you calm and focused. It does not contain THC, the compound in cannabis, so it will not give you a high.
Verdict: A surprisingly smooth and silky drink. CBD is derived from organic hemp, but does not taste like weed. Drinking CBD through coffee apparently means you metabolize it more slowly, producing a longer lasting high.
mushroom magic
Boost Shroom Coffee, £19.99 for 150g, Antioxi
Boost Shroom Coffee, £19.99 for 150g, Antioxi. Ideal for people trying to cut down on caffeine.
It blends half and half Arabica instant coffee with chaga, cordyceps and maitake mushroom extracts, along with ginseng root, an antioxidant-rich herb, for an added kick. It’s also great for people trying to cut down on caffeine.
Verdict: It smells and tastes like chocolate mushrooms with a hint of Bovril, and while this may sound sickening, it turns out that coffee and mushrooms are surprisingly good flavor partners. While it didn’t give a noticeable boost, I felt virtuous drinking it.
The top of the morning
Rokit Mind Boost Coffee Pods, £4, Tesco
Rokit Mind Boost Coffee Pods, £4, Tesco. Combining health with convenience, these coffee capsules are enriched with vitamins.
Combining health with convenience, these coffee capsules are enriched with vitamins B2, B3, B5, B6 and B12 to support your nervous system and contribute to mental performance.
Verdict: The flavor profile promised notes of nutty and milk chocolate with a ‘chocolate-orange richness’, although it did not taste very strong.
throwing pints
Guinness Coffee 232, £8, TikiTonga.co.uk
Guinness Coffee 232, £8, TikiTonga.co.uk. Coffee and Guinness have a lot in common: They both contain antioxidants that are believed to improve heart health.
Coffee and Guinness have a lot in common: They both contain antioxidants that are believed to improve heart health and reduce the risk of some chronic diseases. No Guinness is added to Guinness 232 coffee, however: instead, to emulate the bitter, malty sweetness of the beer, the grains are roasted at the same temperature as the barley when brewing the beer.
Verdict: Not the novelty that you might suspect at first. Instead, it does a smart job of subtly emulating the velvety mouthfeel of beer, and the licorice flavor complements the coffee nicely. You may be relieved (or disappointed?) to learn that it’s alcohol-free; however, it is a fun drink to serve at the end of a dinner.
the beet follows
Organic Beet Ginger Latte, £9.95, Sweet Revolution
Organic Beet Ginger Latte, £9.95, Sweet Revolution. The roots are quickly gaining a reputation for their antioxidant properties.
Beets are quickly gaining a reputation for their antioxidant properties and are one of the richest sources of glutamine, an essential amino acid for good gut health.
Verdict: A warm and flavorful drink, the sweetness of ginger adds a nice touch to the earthiness of beetroot.
shine for it
Collagen + Coffee, £24, Ancient + Brave
Collagen + coffee, £24, ancient + brave. This cup combines ground coffee with collagen to improve digestive health
This cup combines ground coffee with collagen to improve digestive health, stronger bones and joints, and healthy skin; ashwagandha, an ancient herb believed to relieve stress; and nutrient-dense baobab fruit that is high in vitamin C.
Verdict: Raw cocoa and roasted chicory root enhance the roasted notes for an earthy yet luxurious flavor with hints of cherry and chocolate. A top sip.
health booster
Organic Medium Ground Roast, £20, exhalecoffee.com
House Organic Medium Ground Roast, £20, exhalecoffee.com. The self-confessed “coffee brainiacs” at British firm Exhale independently tested and lab-analyzed over 45 coffees from around the world.
The self-confessed ‘coffee brainiacs’ at UK firm Exhale independently tested and lab-analyzed over 45 coffees from around the world to create what they call ‘ridiculously healthy coffee’. The result is Organic House Roast: they claim that one cup has as many antioxidants as the equivalent of 1.8 kg (approximately 12 tubs) of blueberries.
Verdict: An energizing coffee with fruity notes of apricot and hazelnut made with the best quality beans so you don’t suffer that post-caffeine energy slump.
