Adding unique flavors to coffee has become an increasingly popular trend among coffee drinkers looking to change up their normal morning routine. Lavender is one herb that some have started adding to their coffee for its potential health benefits and to create a new flavor experience.
But is adding lavender to your coffee really a good idea? There are pros and cons to consider before deciding if a lavender coffee blend is right for you.
The Potential Benefits of Lavender Coffee
First, let’s look at some of the proposed benefits of adding lavender to coffee:
Enhanced Relaxation
One of the main reasons people add lavender to their coffee is for its reputed relaxing effects. Lavender has been used for centuries as a natural remedy to help promote calmness and ease anxiety. When added to coffee, some claim the lavender can counteract some of the stimulating effects of caffeine to produce a more balanced, relaxed alertness.
Improved Sleep
In addition to relaxation benefits, some proponents of lavender coffee also claim it can promote better sleep. This is because lavender contains the compound linalool which has been studied for its sedative properties. Drinking a cup of lavender coffee in the evening may help you unwind and fall asleep more easily at night.
Stress Relief
Lavender has also been touted as a natural stress reliever. The aroma of lavender is thought to activate the limbic system in the brain, which controls emotions and can lower stress hormone levels in the body. Adding it to coffee may promote calm and make your morning coffee break more soothing.
Anti-Inflammatory
Some early research shows lavender has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. While more research is still needed, this means it may help reduce inflammation in the body when consumed. The anti-inflammatory benefits may compliment the antioxidant properties found in coffee.
Unique Flavor Profile
Adding lavender buds or oil can simply create an intriguing new flavor experience for those looking to change up their typical coffee routine. The floral, herbal notes of lavender meld with coffee’s roasted, slightly bitter notes for a more complex sensory experience.
Potential Downsides of Lavender Coffee
However, there are also some potential downsides associated with adding lavender to coffee that are important to consider:
May Cause Drowsiness
While some see the potential sedative properties of lavender as a benefit, others may find it makes their coffee too relaxing and contributes to drowsiness. Those who drink coffee for its energizing effects may want to avoid lavender, especially in the mornings.
Risk of Overconsumption
There is some concern that overconsuming lavender may have undesirable effects. High doses have been associated with side effects like constipation, headache, and increased appetite. Moderation is key to gain health benefits without risk.
May Not Complement Coffee
While some enjoy the flavor combo, others report that lavender does not complement coffee’s inherent flavor notes well. The bitterness of coffee may clash with lavender’s perfume-like floral quality for some palates.
Unwanted Changes to Coffee’s Effects
Those who want to keep coffee’s energizing effects may wish to avoid lavender. While lavender is thought to counteract caffeine, some feel this ruins coffee’s central purpose for them as a stimulant.
Risk of Allergic Reaction
Rarely, people have allergic reactions to lavender. Symptoms may include skin irritation, coughing, or difficulty breathing. Those with known lavender allergy should avoid lavender coffee blends.
How To Add Lavender to Your Coffee
If you want to experiment with lavender coffee, there are a few easy ways to go about it:
Lavender Simple Syrup
One of the most popular ways to add lavender to coffee is by making a simple syrup. To do this, add around 1⁄4 cup of dried lavender buds to 1 cup of water and 1 cup of sugar in a pot. Bring to a boil, then lower heat and let steep for 15-20 minutes. Strain the lavender buds out and you’re left with a floral syrup that can be drizzled or stirred into coffee!
Lavender Milk
For lactose tolerant coffee drinkers, try steeping lavender in heated milk which can then be frothed and added to coffee. Simply heat 1 cup of milk mixed with 1 tsp dried lavender over medium heat for 5-10 minutes. Strain out the buds, froth the lavender infused milk with an electric frother, and add to coffee.
Whipped Lavender Cream
Make a flavored whipped cream by brewing lavender tea from 2 tbsp buds, chilling it completely, and whipping the cold tea with 1 cup cold heavy whipping cream. Dollop on top of coffee drinks for subtle floral flavor and aroma.
Lavender Coffee Beans
For a convenient option, purchase coffee beans that have been pre-infused with lavender oil. Many coffee roasters now offer lavender flavored coffee beans. Simply brew them as you normally would your regular beans.
Lavender Espresso
Lavender’s relaxing properties pair especially nicely with espresso. Make yourself a florally enhanced latte by brewing espresso and heating milk with dried lavender buds before frothing. Combine for a soothing caffeine boost.
Iced Lavender Coffee
Iced coffee provides a great base for showing off lavender’s flavor. Prepare a cold brew or Japanese style iced coffee, then top with a scoop of lavender ice cream or a float of lavender cream soda for refreshing floral sip.
What Does Lavender Coffee Taste Like?
The taste of lavender in coffee is complex. Many describe it as floral, perfumey, herbaceous, and a little bit fruity almost like berries. There are also slight woodsy and citrus notes. When combined with coffee, lavender creates a smooth, mellow sweetness that rounds out coffee’s bitterness.
The lavender flavor is generally subtle in coffee, though more pronounced lavender varieties and larger amounts will impart more floral intensity. It’s a taste that appeals to some while others feel it clashes too much with coffee’s roasty profile.
Health Benefits of Lavender
Let’s take a closer look at some of the purported health benefits of lavender and the research behind them:
Relaxation
Multiple studies have shown evidence that lavender aromatherapy, including inhalation of lavender essential oils, can promote relaxation and reduce anxiety levels. Results often show modest but measurable positive effects compared to control groups.
Improved Sleep Quality
Early research indicates lavender may boost quality of sleep. Inhalation of lavender oil has been shown in some studies to help people fall asleep faster, sleep longer, and feel more energized upon waking. More high quality studies are needed for stronger conclusions.
Pain Relief
Lavender essential oil applied topically has shown pain relieving properties per some studies. One found it decreased need for pain meds in women after C-sections. Another showed it helped with knee and neck pain when applied to the skin. Consuming lavender may have similar benefits.
Antioxidant Effects
Studies analyzing the antioxidant activity of lavender essential oils and extracts consistently show significant antioxidant properties, including free radical scavenging abilities. This contributes to reducing oxidative stress in the body.
Anti-Inflammatory Properties
Early cell studies indicate lavender may inhibit pro-inflammatory pathways in the body and suppress key inflammation signaling molecules. Some animal models also show topical lavender oil reduces inflammatory pain and swelling responses.
Is There Caffeine in Lavender?
No, lavender does not contain any caffeine. True lavender plants are entirely caffeine free. The relaxing effects some associate with lavender instead come from its active compounds like linalool, linalyl acetate, and ocimene, among others.
Some people think lavender may make them sleepy due to the folklore of it having sedative effects. But lavender actually does not contain any compounds that are proven to induce sleepiness or directly counteract caffeine. Any relaxing sensations from lavender are likely psychological responses from its pleasant, stress-relieving aroma.
Lavender Coffee Recipe
If you want to whip up a batch of lavender coffee at home, try out this easy recipe:
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons high quality ground coffee
- 2 cups filtered water
- 1-2 teaspoons dried culinary lavender buds
- Optional: milk or cream, honey or sugar to taste
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a saucepan.
- Remove from heat and add lavender buds. Let steep for 5-7 minutes.
- Strain the lavender infused water through a coffee filter lined mesh strainer into a cup with the ground coffee in it.
- The hot water will pass through the coffee grounds, infusing the coffee with the subtle floral notes of lavender.
- Taste the coffee black first to fully experience the lavender flavor. Then add any desired milk, cream or sweeteners.
- Enjoy your fresh cup of lavender coffee!
Nutrition
Here is the nutritional information per 8 ounce cup of black coffee with 1 teaspoon of dried lavender buds:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 2 |
| Fat | 0 g |
| Carbohydrates | 0.4 g |
| Fiber | 0.2 g |
| Sugars | 0 g |
| Protein | 0.1 g |
As you can see, plain black lavender coffee is very low in calories, fat, carbs, and sugar. The small amounts come from the negligible number of calories and carbs in dried lavender buds. Lavender coffee makes for an energizing low calorie beverage. Additives like cream or sweeteners will increase the nutrition counts.
Buying Lavender for Coffee
If you want to buy dried lavender to use in coffee brewing, here are a few tips:
- Choose food grade lavender buds specifically labeled for culinary use, not decorative grade.
- High quality organic lavender offers the best flavor and purity.
- Lavender flowers dried whole on the stem provide the nicest texture.
- Flowers should look vibrant purple and fragrant.
- A little goes a long way since lavender is intensely flavored, starting with 1 tsp per cup of coffee.
- Store excess in an airtight container out of sunlight to preserve freshness.
Many coffee roasters also sell pre-ground lavender coffee blends to make brewing easier. Look for 100% Arabica coffee beans infused with real lavender oil or flowers.
The Bottom Line
Adding lavender brings intriguing floral flavor and aroma to coffee along with potential wellness benefits like relaxation and anti-inflammatory effects. However, it may cause unwanted drowsiness or fail to complement coffee’s inherent qualities for some. Personal preference will determine if lavender’s tasty but polarizing flavor profile improves or ruins your daily cup of joe.
Carefully monitor your response to lavender coffee and adjust the amount to suit your taste. Too much lavender can overwhelm the coffee while just a pinch can pique your interest with a pleasantly unexpected sensory experience. If you find lavender coffee helps you unwind, aids digestion, or simply your intrigues your tastebuds, it may become your new go-to comforting brew.
