Coffee and Vanilla: A Pairing Of Perfection

Kindi Lantz January 17, 2019

Vanilla Infused Coffee with Cinnamon Vanilla Milk

Coffee and vanilla—two of the world’s favorite and most prized beans. Okay, so coffee “beans” aren’t truly beans at all; they are actually the pits of a type of stone fruit, but they closely resemble true beans so we’ll go ahead and continue referring to them by a false nomenclature. Does it really matter anyway? Regardless of what we call them, they are still beautiful, oily, pungent, provide energy, and pair beautifully with the world’s most expensive ‘true’ bean—vanilla!

Yes, coffee and vanilla seem to be the perfect match. Those earthy, potent, somewhat bitter components in coffee are enhanced and smoothed over by the rich, buttery, and almost sweet flavor of real vanilla beans. It’s no wonder the two are so often found lurking together in the same cup o’ Joe.

Whether the vanilla flavor is incorporated into the coffee grounds prior to brew or into the milk or cream you will be adding to it, you can’t go wrong with vanilla and coffee!

I’ve decided to kick it the vanilla up a notch and do both. The vanilla caviar is used to flavor the milk but, rather than waste those glorious pods (which are chock full of delectable vanilla flavor and fragrance), I grind them with my coffee beans.

Vanilla Infused Coffee with Cinnamon Vanilla Milk

Yields 4 delightful cups of vanilla coffee

Ingredients:

• 1 cup milk or half and half
• ¼ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 vanilla bean
• ½ cup quality whole coffee beans
• 4 cups water
• ½ tablespoon raw honey

Procedure:

1. Pour the milk into a small saucepan and mix in the ground cinnamon.
2. Slice your vanilla bean lengthwise, down the center of the pod, using a paring knife.
3. Using the back of the paring knife, scrape the seeds from the pod and add into the milk and cinnamon mixture. Do not discard pod.
4. Thoroughly combine the milk, cinnamon, and vanilla seeds and turn the heat to low, stirring occasionally.
5. While the milk mixture is heating, cut the vanilla pod into several pieces and place them in the coffee grinder with the whole coffee beans. Grind for about 15 seconds or to your desired grind consistency.
6. Brew your coffee as you normally would.
7. Once the milk mixture has warmed, stir in the honey.
8. Prior to serving, whisk the milk mixture tempestuously to incorporate air and create a nice, frothy top.

Serving Suggestions:

Fill your coffee cups with the vanilla coffee, leaving room for the cinnamon vanilla milk. Slowly pour the vanilla milk mixture to fill. Serve warm.

Iced coffee tip: The day before you plan on serving this, fill an ice cube tray with coffee. Freeze overnight. Make the milk mixture ahead of time and chill. Fill a glass with the frozen coffee cubes and pour the vanilla coffee and vanilla milk mixture in. The ice cubes will provide an iced beverage without diluting your vanilla coffee!

Looking for other ways to enhance your coffee with vanilla flavor? Try this recipe for vanilla sugar or this one for vanilla simple syrup.