What Milk and Sweetener Should I Use for My Coffee?
Whether you’ve grown a bit too dependent on 3-in-1s or the baristas at your favourite coffee shops, experimenting with coffee on your own can be scary, especially at first. One of the biggest challenges we faced when we at Daily Ground first ventured into the rich and intoxicating world of coffee was the sheer number of additives available — from milk and sweeteners to creamers.
If you’re like us, you probably wish someone had explained it all to you. As makers of specialty coffee ourselves (it’s our daily grind), we’re glad to do the handholding for you, at least for the beginning. This article serves as a starting point for you to begin exploring the art of tasting and making coffee!
How to Decide Which Milk, Sweetener or Creamer to Use
Before we probe deeper, it’s necessary to keep a few things in mind as you wade your way through the different types of milk, sweeteners and creamers available. Your choice of ingredients is greatly impacted by the below factors.
Taste and Texture Preferences
The single most important part of choosing a milk, sweetener or creamer is considering your personal preferences, in terms of both taste and texture. Some people might prefer their coffee to be thicker or sweeter, while others want it blacker, stronger or lighter. Sometimes, the answer does not lie in a singular choice. You are encouraged to be adventurous with different combinations to find one you like to call your own.
Dietary Restrictions
Then, think about your dietary considerations. If you’re trying to lose weight, you might be keen to explore low-calorie options so you don’t get set back in your goals. Those trying to lower their sugar intake might prefer natural sweeteners, and vegans can still indulge in coffee with plant-based milks and vegan creamers.
Ingredient Quality
Lastly, and most importantly, the quality of ingredients matters. Always choose the best and freshest ingredients for superior flavours, no matter if they’re whole or skim, dairy or non-diary, natural or artificial, liquid or powdered. Selecting high-quality ingredients will enhance the taste of your coffee, delivering a more satisfying coffee experience.
Ahead, we’ll look into the associated qualities and characteristics of each coffee ingredient, as well as the consistency they lend to your cup of joe.
Milk
Milk is an ingredient used to make coffee creamier and smoother. It’s also recognised for its ability to soften coffee’s acidity and bitterness, making it a popular choice for those who desire less intense drinks. A common order is to go “half-and-half”, which employs equal portions of whole milk and cream.
Whole Milk
Whole milk contains a higher amount of fat compared to skim milk. As a result, incorporating whole milk into coffee will produce a creamier texture, plus a hint of sweetness.
Skim Milk
On the other hand, skim milk has less than 0.5% milk fat, compared to whole milk’s 3.25%. It has been described to taste bland, offering a lighter texture and much less flavour. However, skim milk is still used to reduce carb intake and dilute coffee.
Condensed Milk
Condensed milk is used in more coffee recipes than we think, with notable examples including the renowned Vietnamese coffee and the Singaporean kopi right here at home (sometimes, this is substituted with evaporated milk). Unlike whole and skim, condensed milk is incredibly sweet, rich, and milky, and carries a syrup-like consistency that gives the coffee a creamier and distinct flavour compared to its Western counterparts.
Non-Dairy Alternatives
There are lots of non-dairy alternatives that can be used to replace traditional dairy milk, such as almond milk, soy milk, and the hugely popular oat milk. These selections serve to provide individuals with sensitivities, allergies and diet restrictions a multitude of options to enjoy coffee in their own unique ways.
Sweetener
As its name suggests, sweeteners are used to add sweetness to foods and beverages. These substances include sugar, as well as natural and artificial sweeteners. Sweeteners can be added to coffee with or without milk. When added to black coffee (coffee without milk), they produce a straightforward flavour profile; while in white coffee (coffee with milk), they contribute to a more balanced and mellow taste.
White Sugar
White sugar is one of two commonly used sweeteners at most cafés, with the other being raw sugar. Without any inherent flavour, white sugar only serves to sweeten coffee when added.
Brown Sugar
Brown sugar presents a deeper flavour some liken to caramel- or toffee-like. In coffee, brown sugar can impart a more nuanced flavour profile due to its molasses content, making it taste sweet, aromatic and even nutty.
Raw Sugar
Raw sugar differs from white sugar in that it retains some of its molasses. In a sense, it falls somewhere between white and brown sugar, but less refined. It can permeate coffee with a natural, palatable flavour and is known to complement premium and robust brews.
Agave Syrup, Maple Syrup or Honey
These are sweeteners that are extracted from natural sources. While agave is said to taste delicate and neutral, maple is much more concentrated and carries the scent of toffee. Honey, meanwhile, comes with varied profiles depending on their origins, some offering floral and fruity notes and others distinctively earthy or herbal. Regardless, honey’s sweetness is potent, and can enhance the flavour of coffee effectively.
Artificial Sweeteners
Four of the most commonly used artificial sweeteners in coffee include stevia, sucralose, aspartame and saccharin. Some of these substances, such as aspartame and saccharin, do not contain any caloric value because our bodies do not metabolise them. Apart from sweetness, these additives do not contribute any flavours or aftertaste to beverages such as coffee.
Creamer
Coffee creamers are liquid or granulated products that act as a substitute for milk, sweetener or both. Most creamers are formulated to omit dairy products and therefore do not contain lactose. There are also creamers made to cater to those who prefer unsweetened options, and specific flavour preferences. Creamers are primarily intended to provide smoothness and creaminess to coffee.
Liquid Creamers
Liquid creamers are available in a wide range of flavours, encompassing French vanilla, hazelnut, caramel and even peppermint mocha. These mixtures offer newfound convenience without having to measure out milk, sweetener and other ingredients separately, while promising consistent flavours with room for customisation.
Powdered Creamers
Powdered creamers boast a longer shelf life compared to liquid creamers, and are also considered more portable, making them suitable for travel.
Final Thoughts
Brew-tiful beginnings await as you dive into the reinvigorating world of coffee!
At Daily Ground, we believe that it’s never too latte to learn your very own perfect cup. As artisans who specialise in the art of coffee-making, we have an exclusive selection of specialty coffee waiting for enthusiasts, such as you, to relish. From a sweet and strong cold brew to a cosy and warming dirty chai, experiment with those who know best at Daily Ground — and have it with a delicious croissant or a gratifying meal for the full, refined experience.
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