Orange Zest Is The Secret Weapon For Combating Flavorless Coffee

Did you know coffee is consumed daily by an estimated 30-40% of the world's population? Astounding for sure, but that percentage nearly doubles to 65% when we are talking about daily coffee consumption in the U.S. alone. In other words, Americans really love a caffeine fix. This is great news for coffee corporations, but it also means coffee consumers love the drink so much that they sometimes settle for lower-quality beans for their morning brew.

Drinking subpar coffee can become the case for any number of reasons. Some heavy coffee drinkers and busy households simply drink too much coffee to maintain purchasing fancy stuff all the time. And sometimes mediocre coffee happens to us — at a conference, office meeting, or a holiday visit with the in-laws. Coffee fans who want to jazz up their cup of joe without breaking the bank will be happy to know they can create better-tasting coffee at home with pretty much any type of coffee.

If we are being honest, even lousy coffee is still appreciated for being coffee. That caffeine kick and aroma are unmatched, but sometimes we want to elevate things a bit with a taste that complements the flavor of the coffee. Thankfully, there are many items already in your kitchen that, when added to your brew, will help bring out the subtle nuances of coffee that linger within even the lowest-grade blends.

One favorite way people amplify their coffee is with orange zest. And if you think about it, it makes sense. Coffee's flavor profile overlaps with chocolate's flavor profile, and who can resist the combination of chocolate and orange? Also, Italians, known for their expertise in espresso, sometimes enjoy a cup with a slice of lemon or orange. If you do not have an orange to zest, another citrus fruit like a tangerine or clementine can be a tasty substitute.

If you are stuck with a ho-hum cup of joe but do not have any citrus nearby, don't worry; you don't have to resort to packets of sugar and creamer to combat the unwanted taste.

Warm spices are perfect for even the best coffee recipes — think cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, turmeric, nutmeg, and cloves. Add your favorite or combine a few; you will soon forget you are drinking cheap coffee. A mocha does not have to be something special that you only order at the coffee shop. You can make your own instant mocha with a spoonful of cocoa powder, and a splash of vanilla extract will turn that into a vanilla mocha. Some coffee drinkers even like a pinch of salt in their brew.

These methods are so simple that you can enjoy an elevated cup of tasty coffee without buying a premium blend or going to a cafe. And that is great news for java fiends.