Hazelnut is a popular flavoring that is commonly added to coffee drinks like lattes, cappuccinos, and cold brews. The nutty, sweet flavor of hazelnut complements the bitterness of coffee quite well. Many coffee shops offer hazelnut flavored coffee drinks on their menus. But is adding hazelnut to your coffee actually good? Here is a look at some of the potential pros and cons of using hazelnut in coffee.
Pros of Hazelnut in Coffee
Enhances flavor
One of the biggest benefits of adding hazelnut to coffee is that it enhances the overall flavor profile. The rich, nutty taste of hazelnut balances out the bitter, acidic notes in coffee. This results in a more mellow, rounded, and smoother tasting coffee drink. Hazelnut adds sweetness and creaminess without overpowering the coffee.
Variety of flavors
Hazelnut allows you to create a wide variety of flavors in coffee drinks. You can keep it simple with just hazelnut coffee or get more creative with combinations like hazelnut mocha, hazelnut latte, hazelnut cappuccino, etc. The versatility of hazelnut means you can customize your coffee flavor experience.
Masks bitterness
Some people find black coffee too bitter or harsh on its own. The sweet nuttiness of hazelnut helps mask the bitter notes, making the coffee more palatable. This can be especially useful for converting black coffee skeptics. The hazelnut flavor makes the bitterness more subtle.
Health benefits
Hazelnuts themselves are quite nutritious, being high in healthy fats, vitamin E, manganese, and other important nutrients. While the amounts are small in coffee, adding hazelnut can give your drink a little added nutritional boost. Hazelnut also contains antioxidants that may help neutralize some free radicals in coffee.
Cons of Hazelnut in Coffee
Alters original flavor
Purists argue that adding hazelnut or any flavoring changes the intrinsic flavor profile of the coffee. The hazelnut overtakes the distinctive notes of the coffee beans and region. So you lose some of the coffee’s inherent character.
More calories
Hazelnut coffee drinks tend to have more calories and fat than black coffee or coffee with just milk or cream. The nuts, syrups, and butters used to flavor the coffee can hike up the calorie count significantly. This is something to keep in mind for your diet.
Artificial flavoring
Some hazelnut coffee add-ins rely on artificial flavors and chemicals to try to mimic the hazelnut taste. These can leave an unpleasant aftertaste. All-natural hazelnut flavors are ideal if you want to avoid artificial additives.
Not recommended with milk
The oils in hazelnuts can curdle milk in coffee drinks. This gives an unpleasant, grainy texture. Black coffee or lattes with non-dairy milk are better options for hazelnut coffee.
Hazelnut Types for Coffee
There are a few main forms of hazelnut used to flavor coffee:
Hazelnut Syrup
Hazelnut syrup is a popular coffeehouse flavoring. The commercially made syrups combine hazelnut extract, sugar, and water to create the concentrated liquid. The syrups come in a variety of brands and flavors like plain hazelnut, chocolate hazelnut, vanilla hazelnut, etc. A pump or two of the syrup is added to coffee beverages.
Hazelnut Creamer
Hazelnut creamers provide a convenient way to add this flavor to your morning coffee. The non-dairy creamers are flavored with hazelnut oil or extract. You simply pour or spoon the creamer into your mug like regular coffee creamer. Hazelnut creamers come in liquid, powdered, and refrigerated varieties.
Hazelnut Coffee Beans
For a purer hazelnut coffee taste, you can buy bags of beans flavored naturally with hazelnut oil. The beans are coated to absorb the hazelnut oil and then roasted. Grinding and brewing these hazelnut coffee beans provides a nuttier, richer coffee drink.
Hazelnut Coffee Grounds
Ground hazelnut coffee is also available for a faster cup of joe. The pre-ground beans have been infused with hazelnut for full flavor convenience. Use it like regular coffee grounds to make a pot of hazelnut coffee or a single brew.
Hazelnut Extract
Liquid hazelnut extract can be added a few drops at a time to any coffee beverage for light flavoring. Pure hazelnut extract offers an all-natural option without artificial additives. Start with a little and add more to suit your tastes.
Best Types of Coffee for Hazelnut
Hazelnut pairs well with most coffee bean varieties and roast styles. But some work particularly well to complement the nutty sweetness.
Medium Roast Coffee
A medium roast strikes a perfect balance with hazelnut flavor. The moderate level of acidity and bitterness in a medium roast get mellowed out by the hazelnut. The nuttiness comes through without being overpowered.
Colombian Coffee
Smooth, balanced Colombian coffee beans make an excellent base for hazelnut flavor. The mild coffee lets the hazelnut shine rather than compete.
Brazilian Coffee
Brazilian coffee’s low acidity profile also complements hazelnut beautifully. The soft, creamy natural sweetness of Brazilian coffee gets a nice boost from the added nutty sweetness.
Espresso
The strong, concentrated flavor of espresso stands up well to the bold hazelnut taste. An espresso and hazelnut combination makes for a vibrant coffee drink. Use espresso shots in hazelnut lattes, mochas, and macchiatos.
Cold Brew Coffee
The lower acidity and mellow profile of cold brew coffee provides a smooth foundation for hazelnut. Hazelnut cold brews are a delicious iced coffee option in warm weather.
How to Add Hazelnut to Coffee
Here are some simple methods for adding hazelnut flavor to your coffee:
Hazelnut Creamer
Add 1-2 tablespoons (or to taste) of hazelnut creamer in place of regular creamer or milk. Stir well to fully blend the creamer.
Hazelnut Syrup
Use 1-2 pumps of hazelnut syrup per 8 oz. cup of coffee. Adjust the amount to your sweetness preference.
Hazelnut Extract
Start with 1/4 teaspoon of hazelnut extract per 8 oz coffee and add more as desired.
Hazelnut Coffee Grounds
Use hazelnut coffee grounds in place of regular coffee grounds to brew a pot of hazelnut coffee.
Hazelnut Coffee Beans
Brew coffee with hazelnut flavored beans for the richest hazelnut coffee taste. Grind beans right before brewing if possible.
Best Hazelnut Coffee Drinks
While delicious in plain coffee, hazelnut also shines in fancy coffeehouse favorites. Here are some of the most popular hazelnut coffee drinks:
Hazelnut Latte
Espresso and steamed milk get a nutty twist with hazelnut syrup. It’s a comforting treat.
Hazelnut Mocha
Chocolate and coffee pair perfectly with hazelnut in this quintessential coffee shop indulgence.
Iced Hazelnut Latte
Cool down with this chilled blended hazelnut latte topped with milk foam.
Hazelnut Frappe
A frozen hazelnut coffee drink blended with milk and ice for a creamy, dreamy frappe.
Hazelnut Americano
The simple combination of rich espresso and hot water made nuttier with hazelnut.
Hazelnut Macchiato
Espresso with a dollop of foamed milk gets a hazelnut twist in this classy drink.
Hazelnut Cold Brew
Slow-steeped hazelnut coffee concentrate chilled and served over ice.
DIY Hazelnut Coffee Recipes
Making hazelnut coffee drinks at home is easy with these recipes:
Hazelnut Latte
– 1-2 shots espresso
– 1/4 cup milk of choice, steamed
– 1-2 tsp hazelnut syrup
Pull the espresso shots and steam the milk. Add syrup to the hot espresso and pour in the steamed milk. Adjust amounts to taste.
Hazelnut Frappe
– 1 cup strong hazelnut coffee, chilled
– 1/2 cup milk
– 1-2 tbsp chocolate hazelnut spread
– 1 cup ice
– Whipped cream for topping
Combine coffee, milk, spread, and ice in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. Top with whipped cream.
Iced Hazelnut Vanilla Latte
– 2 shots espresso, chilled
– 1/2 cup cold milk
– 1 tbsp hazelnut syrup
– 1 tsp vanilla syrup
– Ice
Shake or blend together the espresso, milk, and syrups with ice until frothy.
Where to Buy Hazelnut Coffee
You can find a wide selection of hazelnut coffee products at stores including:
Coffee Shops
– Starbucks
– Peet’s Coffee
– Caribou Coffee
– Local coffee houses
Grocery Stores
– Kroger
– Safeway
– Publix
– Trader Joe’s
Online
– Amazon
– Coffee Bean Direct
– CoffeeForLess
– Volcanica Coffee
Conclusion
Hazelnut can add a wonderful nutty sweetness and creamy texture to coffee. It pairs well with many types of beans and makes for delicious coffeehouse-style beverages. While hazelnut may not suit black coffee purists, the flavor is quite complementary overall. Moderating the amounts can let you enjoy hazelnut’s benefits without overpowering your drink. With so many hazelnut coffee options, it’s easy to incorporate this flavor and switch up your usual cup of joe.