Tag: flavoured coffee syrup

Flavoured coffee

Posted on by Sara Walker

cafetiere 2Flavoured coffee beans are not perhaps as popular in the UK as they are in the US, but you can sometimes find them on the shelves of speciality shops or on cafe menus. The flavouring’s been added to the beans after roasting, and the more common variations beans include vanilla and spiced flavours.

Pre-flavouring the beans in this way has several disadvantages. One is that the strong flavours have a tendency to taint storage jars, coffee grinders and coffee machines, leaving a hint of flavour behind when you’re preparing plain coffee. Another is that pre-flavoured coffee beans can be of poor quality, the manufacturers relying on the added flavour to mask any weakness in taste.

Probably the safest way to get a great cup of flavoured coffee is to brew it first then add the flavouring afterwards, so that you can be sure of the quality of the beans. The easiest way is to use a small quantity of flavoured syrup, such as chocolate, caramel or mint. Add the flavouring after the coffee has been brewed and is in the cup, and if possible add it before the milk so so that it dissolves properly.

Another alternative is to make your own natural flavourings. Store vanilla pods with your roasted coffee beans, add a little ground cinnamon to a cappuccino or add dried orange zest and ginger to the beans before grinding. Add the spices a little at a time, and increase the amounts to your taste.

Certain coffee beans lend themselves more to flavouring than others. Very strongly roasted beans, such as those intended for espressos, will overpower any flavouring, so a mild to medium blend and roast would be a better choice. The exception to this is chocolate flavouring, which works with strong coffee flavours and can be used to enhance espresso.
Here at the Wholesale Coffee Company, we’ve got a great range of beans suitable for all uses, all at wholesale prices. For more information, please visit our coffee beans page.

How to use flavoured coffee syrups

Posted on by Sara Walker

caramel-syrupWith flavoured speciality coffee becoming increasing popular, you’re now spoilt for choice with syrup flavours, from mint and vanilla to cinnamon spiced and chocolate, both white and dark. As well as adding a shot of syrup to coffee or hot chocolate for a drink with a twist, there are plenty of other ways to make use of flavoured syrup in your kitchen.

Sugar and spice

  • Make an easy sauce for ice cream or fruit by melting 75g of butter and 75g of cocoa powder together in a pan over a low heat. Add sufficient syrup to give the sauce a pouring consistency; amaretto, ginger and vanilla flavours work particularly well.
  • Make the ultimate strawberry sundae by marinating fresh strawberries in strawberry syrup overnight in the refrigerator. Lay the fruit with strawberry ice-cream, vanilla ice-cream and chocolate shavings in a tall glass. Finish the dish off with a fresh strawberry and a drizzle of syrup.
  • Use strawberry or vanilla syrup to glaze the fruit in a fruit tart just before serving, to give it an appetising finish.
  • When making a chocolate mousse, add a tablespoon of flavoured syrup to the melted chocolate before adding the eggs – we like gingerbread, amaretto and mint flavours.
  • Stunning savouries
  • Add a tablespoon of strawberry or vanilla syrup to a beef stew during the last half hour of cooking, for a richer flavour.
  • For a quick, light lunch, toast two or three slices of French bread. Top each one with a slice of goats’ cheese, and place under a hot grill until the cheese is just starting to melt. Drizzle a little balsamic vinegar and vanilla syrup over the cheese, and serve with walnuts and a green salad.

To buy flavoured syrups online for all your culinary and drink needs, please visit our coffee ingredients page.