How to Flavor Coffee Beans

Have you ever wondered how Starbucks or Dunkin flavors their coffee? How do you make ‘vanilla espresso” or “chocolate latte”? How do you make hints of hazelnut and subtle aromas of other spices here and there?

Big businesses often use lower grade beans to keep up with demand. This is one reason flavored coffee is so common. While a Starbucks mocha latte may be a delicious drink, it’s likely going to be far better at a local coffee shop.

If you have a drink you like, go to a local coffee shop and ask about what beans they use and how they flavor the coffee. Often you can buy the beans on-site and support the business at the same time.

We’ll explain how flavoring coffee beans is done – and how you can flavor coffee beans in your own home.

Different Ways To Flavor Coffee Beans

There are a couple of different ways to flavor coffee beans. The most common ways are with oils and syrups but you can also use spices and alcohol. These methods are pretty affordable; there’s no need to get specialized equipment.

Flavoring Coffee Beans With Oil

This is one of the most popular flavoring methods and it is incredibly easy to do! Generally, you will use as little as one or as much as three tsp per pound of coffee. Sometimes this depends on the manufacturer, but it’s also up to your personal preference.

Once you’ve added the oil to the beans (either in a bag or a bowl), toss them gently by hand and leave them there for about an hour. The longer the beans sit, the longer the oil soaks into the beans, giving you a richer flavor.

Flavoring Coffee Beans With Syrups

Big businesses like Starbucks and Beans and Brews flavor their coffee with syrups. Making simple syrup is pretty easy! All you need is equal amounts of water and sugar. Then, choose a syrup flavor such as caramel, orange, peppermint, or pumpkin.

Flavoring Coffee Beans With Spices

Flavoring with spices could not be easier. Mix whole spices with coffee beans and store them in an airtight, dark container in a dark place. The longer you store the beans, the stronger the flavor will be! Some of the most common spices used include cinnamon sticks, vanilla, peppermint, and many types of seeds.

Flavoring with spices is time-consuming so if you need a quick fix, syrups or oil work best. But, if you are patient, this method can change your coffee making game. Give it a try and see the difference yourself!

Flavoring Coffee Beans With Alcohol

This process can be tricky but is sometimes used for a unique coffee taste. Whiskey is the most common alcohol to be infused with coffee beans. But you are certainly welcome to try flavored rum, such as Malibu.

Take your beans and put them in an airtight container. Pour the whiskey straight into the container and shake it well for a couple of minutes. Store in a cool, dark place for 24 hours.

After 24 hours, taste the mixture to see if you’ve gotten the flavor you wanted. If not, shake for another couple of minutes and store for another eight or sixteen hours.

Then, strain the beans to remove the alcohol and let them dry. Next, store them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place. 

Different Coffee Bean Flavors

Why are there so many coffee bean flavors out there? Because of technology, anyone can infuse coffee beans with many different flavors.

Flavored beans fall into four main categories: chocolate, nutty, spice, or fruit-based. Sometimes you can combine the flavors, like chocolate hazelnut or vanilla coconut. Others include caramel, hazelnut, rum, pumpkin, and peppermint.

Other Ways to Add Flavors

If you’re looking for an alternative way to add flavor to your coffee, you have a couple of options.

You can add a few drops of vanilla extract or peppermint oil during the brewing process to make your coffee a little sweeter. You can also sprinkle cinnamon on your coffee, too. This also gives it an aesthetic, coffee shop look.

You can add different types of milk including coconut milk, almond milk, or cow milk! Cream and sugar are great options to make bitter coffees sweeter.

Buying Flavored Coffee Beans

If you need a quick fix or don’t have time to create your own flavors, buy flavored coffee beans from a roastery or online. Keep in mind that flavoring is often used to mask stale coffee beans. This isn’t a dealbreaker, but you’re definitely sacrificing the quality of beans for some flavor. 

Make sure you know the manufacturer so you can support them. They likely will buy high-quality beans and infuse them with high-quality flavors. Oftentimes you can see where they source their beans and what ingredients they use right on their website.

If you’re able, choose an Arabica bean – these beans usually have the best results when the flavor is infused into them. 

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Flavored coffee beans are quite fun to make. You can have total control over the type of flavors you add and the type of beans you buy! Keep this in mind when buying flavored beans – you may be able to make them for less money!

If you liked this article, check out this one on grinding your own coffee beans. You can also roast your own coffee beans easily! If you’ve already roasted your own beans, you might as well add flavors too, right!?

Or, decorate your home with a beautiful coffee station!

Thanks for reading!

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