What Are The Most Popular Coffee Flavors: 9 Best Coffee Flavor Picks To Whet Your Palate
Flavor palates are impressively diverse. Luckily, there are various coffee flavors to satisfy even the pickiest coffee drinker. Although many purists will tell you just to drink your coffee unflavored, some enjoy that extra kick flavored coffee provides. So, what are some of the most popular coffee flavors?
The most popular coffee flavors are pumpkin, hazelnut, caramel, peppermint, cafe mocha, and vanilla. You may have flavored syrup roasted in the beans, or depending on the coffee shop, mix the syrup coffee flavoring after the coffee is brewed.
What type of coffee is your favorite? There are a variety of different flavors to choose from, and some flavorings may even surprise you. Keep reading to find out more about the different coffee flavors.
How to Choose the Best Flavored Coffee
Many coffee purists will put their nose up to flavored coffee; however, a flavored coffee ground is a great way to add an extra kick. Initially, brewing flavored coffee beans was done to hide the weak flavor of low-quality beans; however, it has grown into a popular trend. Still, when choosing the best-flavored coffee, it is important to ensure your flavor of choice complements the beans’ natural taste and aroma.
Today, the popularity of flavored coffee is evident, as it is one of the world’s most consumed beverages. This is due in part to the variety of different flavor options to choose from and the diverse roasting techniques that bring out the natural flavor of the roast.
(Source: World Coffee Research)
How to Make Flavored Coffee
Apart from pouring flavored creamers into your cup, how is flavored coffee made? Let’s explore.
Natural Flavor
Naturally flavored coffee is often made from nuts, berries, vanilla, chocolate, and cinnamon. To make naturally flavored coffee, roasters often flavor the beans that include the correct flavor profile and then pour a high-quality syrup into the coffee beans.
You then place them directly into a mixer while still warm and mix the syrup and beans for at least 15 minutes. Because coffee beans are incredibly absorbent, they soak up the syrup and become infused with the flavor.
Roast Level
The level at which coffee is roasted has a significant effect on how it tastes and smells and is especially prominent with flavored coffee. Often, light roast coffee best reacts with flavors such as fruit or peppermint. We recommend using ground coffee light roasted if you want the flavoring to be dominant in your cup of coffee.
Dark roast coffee brings out more of a caramel flavor, making it better for blending with flavors such as nuts, chocolate, and other flavors with a heavy aroma.
Bean Quality
Believe it or not, some coffee shops actually flavor their coffee because they use low-quality beans. When making flavored coffee, it is essential to use the highest quality beans possible to maintain the flavor integrity. Furthermore, quality beans will absorb the syrup more effectively, adding to the overall taste and aroma.
Beans originating from different parts of the world provide a variety of different tastes and aromas. However, when coffee is flavored, this takes away most of the natural bite, and the origin of the bean does not have the same impact on the roast. Those who flavor their coffee tend to prefer blends instead of single-origin, as it is easier to get the desired taste and aroma.
Syrup Quality
Only the highest quality syrup should be used to create flavored coffee. Using the highest quality syrups will not have an extra sugary taste; instead, they will provide a distinct flavor and smell. When using a high-quality syrup, you can taste the difference in your coffee light roast almost instantly.
Artificially Flavored
Artificially flavored coffee often uses flavors such as peppermint and is usually how your coffee is prepared at many coffee shops. Although we recommend naturally flavored coffee drinks, artificially flavored coffee beans are widely used in coffee shops and restaurants worldwide where coffee machines are used.
Artificially flavored coffee is made by soaking the coffee beans in flavored chemicals until they absorb the flavor. Although nothing beats the natural flavors of a high-quality syrup, these chemicals are safe for consumption and are not harmful.
Popular Coffee Flavors
For those who need that extra kick in their morning coffee or just want to spice up a black cup, these popular coffee flavors are definitely worth trying. Let’s check out some of the most popular.
Pumpkin
Pumpkin or pumpkin spice is one of the most popular coffee flavors, especially during the fall. If you’re like most coffee fanatics, this is the go-to flavor during those chilly fall evenings. There are various ways we can prepare pumpkin-flavored coffee; however, the best recipes will involve natural ingredients and liquid coffee creamer.
Pumpkin-flavored coffee often gets its kick from pumpkin pie spice; yet, even maple syrup is added in some recipes. Check out the Pumpkin Spice Coffee from Lifeboost.
French Vanilla
French vanilla is by far one of the world’s most popular coffee flavors. With its rich taste and sweet aroma, it continues to be a fan favorite for coffee drinkers. Coffee connoisseurs believe it has just the right flavor to blend with the coffee beans’ bold aroma. You can add French vanilla into any coffee, such as cappuccinos, lattes, macchiatos, or just your standard black coffee for a little extra flavor. You could choose a vanilla cream flavored coffee, or you can try the French Vanilla flavored coffee offer from Lifeboost.
Mocha
Even if you are even remotely familiar with coffee, you will recognize this popular coffee flavor. This is an excellent flavor if you have just begun drinking coffee, as it is light on caffeine and a great way to ease your way into coffee drinking. Mochas are popular seasonal drinks, such as the Peppermint Mocha during the holiday season.
Hazelnut
Hazelnut is perhaps the most popular coffee flavor, as it has gained popularity throughout the world with its rich flavor and enticing aroma. This coffee flavor is most popular in black coffee as opposed to lattes other drinks. Hazelnut is so popular because of its ability to blend with the nutty taste of the coffee beans. You may want to try out the Hazelnut Coffee from Lifeboost.
Popular Flavored Coffee Beans
If you are just getting into the coffee scene, these are some of the best coffee beans on the market today. Let’s take a look.
Lifeboost Smoky Butterscotch
Lifeboost has been a staple in the coffee industry for decades and is one of the premier suppliers of flavored coffee. This wholesome blend is a medium roast with beans that originated in Nicaragua. This unique blend is natural and healthy, as the beans are grown organically.
The natural and mild butterscotch taste of this medium roast is creamy and delicious. The smooth butterscotch taste is quite a treat for the tastebuds and includes a hint of smoky flavor.
Nature’s Flavors Organic Black Walnut
This budget-friendly blend is actually very high quality and a great value for the price. Nature’s Flavors uses only high-end beans for their blends and incorporates the black walnut taste beautifully.
Black walnut is a favorite flavor for coffee because of the deep and earthy flavors it provides. This is a great choice for those that want to flavor their coffee with a more natural, earthy, and bold flavor.
New England Coffee French Vanilla
New England Coffee Company is a popular brand that has impacted the industry with its quality standards, and this French Vanilla roast is no exception. French vanilla is one of the most popular coffee flavors around the world.
New England Coffee includes a variety of different high-quality arabica beans. This unique blend traces its origins to the south and central America and is available as either ground or whole beans. The beans are medium roast, as the French Vanilla flavor should be the blend’s dominant flavor.
Volcanica Coffee Cinnalicious Decaf
This is a great option for those who want a flavored decaf option and is available in both ground and whole beans. The beans used in this blend are harvested from volcanic regions worldwide and harnesses a unique medium blend flavor.
Volcanica puts its blend through a natural decaffeination process that is proven to remove 99.9% of caffeine; however, the flavor is kept intact. This blend’s rich flavor is great for pairing for desserts or even if you are craving a cup of coffee before bed.
Cameron’s Coffee Sea Salt Caramel
This light blend traces its origins to Columbia and is blended using only high-quality arabica beans. This is ideal for those that enjoy the sweet and salty taste of caramel. This is ideal for those that enjoy roasting their own coffee at home, as it is a simple and flavorful blend sourced only from Columbian beans.
Although many caramel-flavored coffees are flavored using a medium or dark roast, a light roast was chosen to really bring out the salted caramel flavor. If you are looking for a caramel flavored coffee that is naturally sourced, this is definitely worth a look.
Bottom Line
Which type of flavored coffee you ultimately choose should be made with the highest quality beans available and harness all the rich and natural flavors of both the bean and the added flavor. Everyone’s taste preferences are different, so you can always read reviews to see how each flavor is rated to help you determine which ones to try.
The roast level, bean variety, and syrup quality are all critical to your perfect cup’s overall taste and aroma. Whether you are a coffee connoisseur or just want that extra kick in your morning cup, these coffee flavors are some of the best options available.
