Whole30 Coffee: Compliant Tips for Better Brews

The first and most important question you may be asking is: Can I have coffee on Whole30?

Good news – yes, you can have coffee on Whole30 (thank goodness because let’s face it – many of us wouldn’t be able to function without the help of our brew buddy).

Whole30 Compliant Coffee: What You Can & Can’t Add

Whole coffee is allowed on Whole30, you’ll need to cut out classic coffee companions. You will NOT be able to add:

• Milk
• Cream
• Milk substitutes
• Sweeteners (including stevia)

If you like your coffee black anyway, you’re good to go!

Even for those who prefer their coffee with some tasteful addition, there are actually some ingredients you can add to your black coffee to improve the taste.

Allowable Whole30 coffee additions include:

• Compliant coconut milk
• Coconut oil
• Homemade or compliant almond milk
• Cinnamon
• Nutpods (officially Whole30-approved coconut and almond creamer, available on Amazon or Thrive Market).

5 Tips for Delicious Whole30 Coffee

Some folks may be put off by the concept of coffee without cream and sugar. We’ve got 5 tips to help those new to clean coffee get their feet wet.

Here are a few tips and tricks for better tasting Whole30 coffee.

1. Use Good Quality Coffee

You may not realize it if you’re used to adjusting the flavor of coffee with cream or other additives, but coffee itself can taste very different depending on the brand and bean used.

Cheaper coffee brands like Folgers will taste completely different than higher-end coffee. Try picking up coffee from local roasters or purchasing higher quality coffee beans from grocery stores or Starbucks.

Even if you think you can’t stand black coffee, a higher quality coffee could make a huge difference and not taste as bad as you think!

2. Whole Bean Coffee

Many coffee enthusiasts testify to the fact that whole bean coffee (which is grinded before brewing) tastes much better than pre-ground coffee.

Grab a grinder (I recommend the KRUPS coffee grinder that I use) and start grinding up your coffee beans at home before brewing a pot in the morning – you may find that the taste is more to your liking with freshly ground coffee!

3. Adding Coconut Milk

Coconut milk is a compliant ingredient that can be added to coffee. It’s not quite the same as regular dairy milk, but it still changes the taste of coffee that regular dairy users mind find enjoyable. Heck, you may even find that you prefer coconut milk over dairy, with its light, nutty taste!

It’s recommended that you stick with full fat coconut milk, since light coconut milk is really just watered down normal coconut milk (although light is fine if you prefer it). Also make sure to purchase only Whole30 compliant coconut milk from a can, rather than a carton. Coconut milk from the carton is usually very processed and contains not-so-healthy additives. As always, double check your coconut milk ingredient list to make sure it’s the real deal with no chemical additives.

Coconut cream is also worth trying out (it’s really just ultra-thick coconut milk – perfect for adding to coffee)! Almond milk is another option, so long as it’s compliant (unfortunately, complaint almond milk is hard to come by, so you may want to try making it yourself).

4. Try a French Press

Drip coffee is the preferred coffee brewing method of most Americans, but many coffee connoisseurs will tell you it’s not the best technique.

The paper filters used for most coffee makers absorbs some of the oils from the coffee beans (and it’s those oils which help give the coffee its flavor, so removing those oils can change how the coffee tastes).

Instead of drip coffee using paper filters, you may want to consider trying out a french press!

A french press is popular tool for brewing coffee since is quick, easy, and does not require any paper filters (making it slightly more eco-friendly as well), resulting in a richer taste.

You could also try opting for a reusable mesh coffee filter instead of paper filters. The mesh filters don’t absorb oils, plus you’ll save money not needing to constantly buy more paper coffee filters.

5. Cinnamon & Other Flavors

Who needs those crazy Dunkin’ Donuts coffee flavors? You can make your own natural coffee enhancers at home! Try adding these:

• Ground up cinnamon stick
• Whole vanilla bean

Just add the spice to your pre-ground coffee and you’ll find your java tasting just marvelous!

Whole30 Coffee Recipes

These recipes mostly re-articulate what we’ve already suggested above, but if you’re a recipe collector, here are a few pro Whole30 coffee recipes to keep at your disposal.

Basically, any combination of coffee, coconut milk, coconut oil, and cinnamon will be sure to create something tasty. Experiment and see what you like best!

1. Whole30 Compliant Coffee w/ Coconut Milk & Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 cup of black coffee
• 1 tablespoon of coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons of canned coconut milk

Instructions: Brew coffee (with french press or any other method). Add coconut milk and oil. Use immersion blender for a few seconds until coffee get creamy (or, alternatively, just use a fork to blend!)

2. Whole30 Latte

This Whole30 latte recipe comes from The Whole Smiths.

Ingredients:

• 1 & ¼ cup of coffee
• 2 Tbsp. coconut oil
• ½ cup almond milk (preferably New Barn – be careful with others, as most almond milk is not compliant)
• ½ tsp. cinnamon (optional)

Instructions: Add ingredients to a tall cup. Use immersion blender (aka hand blender) to blend ingredients until frothy. Enjoy!

3. Whole30 Bulletproof Coffee

You may have already heard about the popular Bulletproof Coffee, said to help boost brain power. Well, The Kitcheneer has come up with a similar, Whole30 compliant brew.

Ingredients:

• 16oz of fresh brewed coffee
• 1tbs of coconut cream
• 1-2 tsp of ghee butter
• ½ tsp cinnamon (optional)

Instructions: Add ingredients to a blender, blend on high. Then enjoy!

Whole30 Banana Coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 shot espresso
• 5-6 ice cubes
• 1/2 banana
• 1/3 c coconut milk

Instructions: Blend together and enjoy!

Hopefully this is plenty of ammo for your Whole30 coffee needs. If you’re missing your daily romp to the coffee shop down the street, good news – there are actually some Whole30 compliant drinks you can order at Starbucks. Just not a ton (and not, definitely not frappuccinos!)

Do you have any insider advice for brewing up better Whole30 coffee? Share your top tips in the comments!