Sweeten Up
Do you reach for the sugar or sweetener to give your morning cup of coffee a little sweetness? You’re not alone, according to KitchenDaily.com “30% of coffee drinkers sweeten their coffee with sugar or some other form of sweetener.”
A quick poll on the BUNN Facebook page asking if sugar or sweetener was the preferred sweetening agent showed a 50/50 split. While most people reach for either sugar or sweetener there are a variety of ways to sweeten up a cup of coffee or tea. We compiled a list of sweetening agents you can use for your morning cup of coffee or tea.
Sweeten your coffee/tea a different way? Tell us about it on our Facebook page!
Sugar
Sugar is one of the more popular sweeteners for coffee and tea. There are different types of sugar which offer different flavor profiles. White sugar is probably the most common type of sugar for coffee, but next time you may want to try a deeper flavor sugar like brown sugar.
Artificial Sweeteners
Artificial sweeteners usually come in the little yellow, blue or pink packets at the coffee bar. These sweeteners are usually low in calorie making them popular with the calorie conscience coffee or tea drinker. Artificial sweeteners are often highly concentrated and can make a beverage very sweet, very fast.
Honey
Honey is a natural sweetener that contains some vitamins and minerals. Plus, it is reported that honey does have some potential health benefits. If you plan on using honey to sweeten your cup of coffee or tea, be aware that different types of honey can have different types of flavor profiles.
Agave Nectar
Agave nectar is a honey like sap that comes from the leaves of the blue agave plant. This nectar is fairly thin and light in consistency and can be added easily to coffee or tea. (http://www.livestrong.com/article/398007-agave-nectar-benefits/)
Fruit
Lemon is a fruit commonly added to tea for a touch of tart and sweet. Lemon is not the only fruit that can be a natural way to sweeten coffee or tea. Mango, lime, strawberries or blackberries are great additions to tea too! Also try fruit juice to sweeten your coffee or tea.
Syrups
Syrups are an easy way to sweeten a cup of coffee. Syrups can be plain or flavored. Common syrup used is simple syrup. According to About.com, “plain simple syrup has a neutral flavor that works well with most coffees and teas.” Flavored syrups are also available and can be added to different coffees or teas for unique flavor profiles.
Experimentation is the key to finding the perfect sweetener for your cup of coffee or tea!
For more sweetener ideas check out this article!