Sure, we all love the aromatic and rich taste of a quality cup of black coffee, and flavored coffee is a great way to shake up our morning routine. But, coffee on its own may be too bitter for some, and many people love adding milk or milk substitutes to their cup of straight coffee.
Dairy products cut through coffee’s bitterness, and some even add a subtle sweetness. It’s a great way to ease into the coffee world if you’re a beginner, but even the most experienced coffee lovers will choose to add some milk from time to time.
Have you ever considered adding cream cheese in to your coffee? If not, you may have been missing out! While cream cheese is probably the last thing you’d ever think to add to a cup of coffee, you may be surprised at how delicious it actually is.
So can you actually put cream cheese in coffee, and does it taste good? The answer, surprisingly, is yes. The cream cheese gives coffee a nutty, complex flavor that takes it to a whole new level. It also rounds out the acidity of the coffee and makes it creamier and more luxurious. Of course, it’s up to the individual to decide whether or not they like that flavor, but we say it’s absolutely worth a try!
The Origins of Cream Cheese Coffee
This might be the first time you’ve heard about the cream cheese and coffee combo, but what are its origins? How long has the concoction been around, and who tried it first?
Unfortunately, these are difficult questions to answer because there isn’t a single documented origin story for putting cream cheese in coffee. Many countries worldwide have taken a stab at this unique and refreshing coffee drink, and there’s no clear explanation as to how it began to become trendy in the states.
It might have originated in Taiwanese cheese tea, a trendy new beverage that combines cheese, whipped cream, and salt. There’s also the possibility that it could be inspired by Kaffeost, a coffee cheese that’s frequently added to drinks in Scandinavian countries, especially Sweden. Add in the modern influence of social media and the constant search for new novelty coffee drinks on sites like TikTok, and you’ve got the perfect recipe for something like a cream cheese foam coffee!
Why Put Cream Cheese in Your Coffee?
There are many different ways to make coffee, and each person has their preference. But generally, that preference revolves around flavored creamers or what plant milk to use. So, why would people put cream cheese in their coffee?
The most popular reason is that it makes the coffee creamier and less bitter. Dairy will cut through the bitterness in general, but cream cheese has a unique, slightly tart flavor that balances black coffee well, without being too sweet or diluting the taste of your coffee too much.
You could also consider the appetite-suppressing properties that cream cheese might add to your cup of joe. Caffeine is already known to suppress hunger in some people, and cream cheese is an excellent way to add extra protein and fat to your coffee, which can help to keep you full until lunch.
How Does Cream Cheese in Coffee Taste?
At first, this may sound like a strange combination, and you may not want to try it if you don’t know what to expect. But it actually tastes pretty good. The cream cheese gives the coffee a creamy and smooth texture, while the coffee itself provides a strong flavor that cuts through the cheese.
The combination of bitter and sweet flavors balances each out, while the creaminess of the cheese makes for a rich and thick coffee beverage (if you love texture in your food and drinks, you’ll find it here!)
If you’re looking for a new way to enjoy your morning cup of coffee, then try adding a small dollop of cream cheese and stirring it thoroughly until it dissolves. Start with only a little bit and see what you think; you can always add more cream cheese!
If you want to upgrade your cream cheese coffee even more, give this cream cheese foam coffee recipe a try!
How to Make Cream Cheese Foam Coffee
While you can always try dropping a small amount of cream cheese right into your coffee cup, just adding a few extra steps can create a unique and delicious drink that’s sure to become your new favorite coffee beverage!
To make your own iced coffee at home, simply brew a carafe of your favorite roast and set it in the refrigerator for a few hours. Pour it over ice when you’re ready to serve. We also recommend adding sugar/syrups to the coffee rather than sweetening the cream cheese foam.
To make the foam, you’ll only need three ingredients:
- Half of a block (4 ounces) of cream cheese, room temperature
- ¼ cup half-and-half
- ½ cup heavy cream
- Here’s a tip: If you decide to sweeten the foam, you can add a tablespoon or two of powdered confectioner’s sugar to taste.
- Start by whipping the cream cheese with an electric hand or stand mixer until it’s smooth and creamy. Add sweetener during this step if you like.
- Add the heavy cream and half-and-half to the cream cheese and whip all the ingredients together for five minutes or less until the mixture becomes a soft, smooth foam. It should hold together on its own but shouldn’t be heavy or thick (almost like a mousse).
- Top your iced coffee and any flavored syrup with as much foam as you wish, and enjoy!
- You can keep the foam in your fridge for up to 3 days, but you may have to whip it back up if it deflates.
FAQs
Is cream cheese in coffee bad for you?
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying some cream cheese in your coffee now and then, and it’s certainly not bad for you unless you have too much. Cream cheese is pretty high in calories, though, so you should enjoy this drink in moderation and as part of a balanced diet. Too much daily, like too much of anything, could lead to weight gain or other side effects if you’re lactose intolerant.
Is cream cheese coffee better hot or iced?
We recommend adding cream cheese foam to either hot or iced coffee, whichever you prefer! But if you decide to add a small dollop of cream cheese to your regular cup of black coffee, you should add it to hot coffee since it won’t dissolve well in iced coffee.
Final Thoughts
If you’re like most coffee drinkers, you’ve probably stuck to the same type of coffee creamers since you started drinking it. But it’s a great idea to open your horizons once in a while and try something completely new.
Who would have thought that cream cheese would make a great coffee creamer alternative? But trust us, it does! If you’ve never tried it before, we encourage you to keep an open mind and give it a shot. You might be surprised at how much you like it.
Want more off-the-wall coffee ideas? You might be surprised to find out you can add coconut oil or butter to your coffee for an added boost of flavor and metabolic benefits.
Happy caffeinating!
