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Although flavoring coffee may seem like a modern invention, the practice is actually almost as old as coffee itself. Flavored coffee is in fact closely connected with the spice trade that took place in the coffee growing areas in Africa. Some of the original spices used to flavor coffee were cardamom, cinnamon, and even pepper. Understandably, pepper didn’t stick as a popular coffee flavor, but cinnamon remains one of the most popular flavors to this day.
As coffee spread throughout the world, so did the custom of flavoring it. In the 13th century, a common way to flavor coffee in the Middle East was to roast the green beans together with nuts and spices, thus incorporating the flavor in the beans.
The first modern method of flavoring coffee originated in Italy, and consisted of adding flavored syrup to the finished brew. After significant advances in the food science industries, a way to directly flavor the beans was discovered, which greatly improved the quality of flavored coffee.
Don Francisco's flavored coffees are processed in a way that is unique to us. One of our owners designed a coffee flavoring system that ensures that our flavored coffees are evenly flavored and consistent in taste. After roasting, the coffee is mixed with the flavoring for a specified amount of time and then the coffee is left to rest so that the flavoring can adhere to the beans. Coffee after roasting is said to be like a sponge; it soaks up odors and flavors that surround it. This is how the coffee retains the flavoring through the grinding, packing and brewing processes.
FAQs About Flavored Coffee
Q. Does the flavors contribute calories to my coffee?
A. Most flavors do not contain proteins, carbohydrates, cholesterol, or fat, and therefore no calories. Any calories present in a finished cup of coffee are derived from the extraction process not from the flavor.
Q. Do flavors contain alcohol, sodium, or caffeine?
A. Flavors do not contain sodium or added caffeine. Some flavors may contain small amounts of alcohol, but those amounts are almost too small to measure. A finished cup of coffee may contain trace amounts of sodium salts.
Q. Do flavors contain natural and/or artificial ingredients?
A. Natural and artificial flavors contain both natural and artificial components. A natural flavor is a product made of materials derived from plant substances. Artificial flavors are made from either substances isolate from aromatic raw materials or products that are synthesized. These products are chemically identically to substances present in natural products.
Q. Are there any nutritional benefits in flavored coffee?
A. Flavor makes up less than 0.001% of a brewed cup of coffee. Therefore, it is almost impossible to accurately measure any nutritional contribution.
Q. Do flavors contain dyes?
A. No.
Q. Do flavors contain sugars or other sweeteners?
A. Only Butterscotch Toffee.
Q. Do flavors with descriptions of “nut” contain any derivatives of nuts?
A. Our flavors do not contain any parts, additives, or oils from nuts.
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