Food Talk: Coffee induced food is the latest craze

In India, the latest culinary craze is the innovative use of coffee in a variety of foods, blending traditional and contemporary flavours. This trend is evident in the rise of coffee-flavored desserts like cakes, ice creams, and pastries, as well as in savory dishes where coffee is used to enhance marinades and sauces. The creativity extends to beverages, with coffee cocktails and mocktails making waves.  This fusion of coffee with diverse culinary elements reflects a broader appetite for experimentation and global influences in Indian cuisine.

Foods made using coffee or featuring strong flavours of coffee are all the rage. This is because coffee adds a unique, yet palatable flavour and can be easily incorporated into dishes, ranging from savoury to sweet. Coffee is also sometimes used to tenderize meat, by adding it to the marinade.

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Vansh Aggarwal of Shiso explains that the coffee scene in India has experienced impressive growth over the past decade, marked by a shift from traditional tea to a burgeoning coffee culture driven by younger, urban consumers. “Specialty coffee brands have introduced a refined appreciation for high-quality, artisanal brews, educating consumers about diverse coffee profiles. The proliferation of cafes and innovative coffee products, such as cold brews and coffee-infused foods, has further fueled interest. Moreover, the consumer palate is evolving and becoming more accepting of bolder coffee flavours. Additionally, India’s role as a significant coffee producer is being complemented by modern farming practices and efforts to enhance the global appeal of Indian coffee. This evolving landscape reflects a broader global trend and is fostering a more sophisticated and enthusiastic coffee culture across the country.”

This reminded of my trip to Mexico eleven years back when I used to wake up to the smell of coffee rubbed chicken. chicken mole is one such dish with subtle amount of chocolate and a dash of coffee I would say gives the recipe a kick. In fact, Chicken mole is my fondest Mexican food memory.

When I mentioned about my experience to Sohrab Sitaram of First Coffee, he said “Coffee is now increasingly being used in desserts, especially with chocolate. The robust coffee tones complement the rich chocolate, creating a dessert that is both sophisticated and indulgent. Moreover, coffee-infused barbecue sauces are being used to spruce up smoked meat dishes.”

Amol Phute, Executive Chef, Bastian Hospitality once mentioned, “Coffee induced food is becoming a very popular trend, since people love both their food and their coffee - so the bringing together of both is welcomed by foodies . The ever-rising popularity of coffee is turning many people to begin growing their own. In fact, at Bastian Hospitality, we have developed our own range of coffee as well, which we are beginning to roll out across our restaurants, and which will soon feature in all our dishes, drinks and desserts that feature coffee.

Sohrab Sitaram further added, “Recently, there’s been an exciting new trend that’s catching the attention of coffee enthusiasts and foodies alike: coffee-induced foods. Coffee has always been more than just a morning ritual; it’s a versatile ingredient that enhances flavor profiles when incorporated into various dishes and that’s becoming a new craze. People are keen to experiment with coffee with all kinds of food and that is very interesting to see.”

Health benefits of coffee

Coffee in moderation, like everything in moderation, can have numerous health benefits. It can help to boost energy levels, is rich in some antioxidants, is considered to improve cardiovascular health and more - again, enjoying it in moderation is key.

Here are the five coffee facts that you must know explains Nutritionist Kavita Devgan.

Firstly, coffee is devoid of calories. Yes, coffee is actually an almost zero calorie cuppa (2 calories in a cup) till we decide to make it anything but, by adding full fat milk, whipped cream, flavored syrups, and of course loads to sugar. Then it becomes the super-sized, frothy, sweetened beyond recognition liquid called by complicated names that we sip stylishly in trendy cafes - and delivers humongous calories (sometimes more than a meal worth).

Secondly, it is now clear that the antioxidants in this bitter liquid are plenty, and three of these (caffeine, coffee acid and chlorogenic acid) are said to work together to keep the risk of type 2 diabetes down. Some other mechanisms are also said to be play that can help stave off the risk of this disorder. Some say magnesium in coffee contributes too… so even though it is not conclusively clear, the indications do point towards a beneficial role of coffee in helping to lower blood glucose levels. That’s sweet news definitely!

Thirdly, by the way caffeine found in coffee is often used in headache relieving medications. But just like you wouldn’t want to pop too many pills, you would want to drink coffee in moderation too, as too much might just end up becoming a headache instead (besides causing other unwanted effects like rapid heartbeat, sleeplessness, brain fog, irritability). Besides jury is (still) out on whether caffeine cures or causes headaches… so, till there is a clear consensus, getting addicted surely seems like a bad idea.

Fourthly, caffeine in coffee bumps up our dopamine levels and adenosine production; both are neurochemicals that help cut fatigue, boost our mood and liven us up. And let’s face it there are times when we do need help to revive us from our zombie state. But that said the fact is that too much coffee (say on the hour like some people I know) does more harm than help; the caffeine in it gives us a temporary lift but a slump follows soon enough. Plus, it is a diuretic and may dehydrate the body (jury is out on this one too) and stress the energy reserves. So going easy on it is the logical advice here.

Fifthly, coffee’s benefits for the liver are now becoming clear too. This beverage is said to help prevent liver inflammation, boost memory, and keep parkinson’s, alzheimers and dementia away. Too early to say anything conclusively about these, so the takeaway is that one must enjoy this rich multi-layered brew responsibly!