Last Updated on February 17, 2023
There are over 100 species of coffee beans around the world, and the different varieties of coffee blends that can be produced from these are staggering. From the popular espresso to the ultra-expensive and exotic kopi luwak, there is a coffee for every palate and pocket.
Modern-day consensus is that coffee is good for you when consumed in moderation. A few cups a day have been shown to reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes, Parkinson’s disease, liver cancer, and other ailments.
The health benefits of coffee are, however, greatly compromised when such additives as sugar, syrup, and cream are incorporated into the drink. Enter Proffee, the protein coffee that is the new kid on the block. It has taken social media by a storm and is now the go-to, everyday drink for a lot of people.
Judging from the way people the world over have quickly adopted this new blend of protein coffee it is safe to say that something special is brewing. Let’s explore how to make proffee!
What is Proffee, Anyway?
In laymen’s terms, proffee is, as the strange name implies, a blend of protein powder and coffee. You just take normal coffee and add some protein to it. It’s as simple as that. It is usually made by mixing iced coffee and protein shakes, but you can substitute that with espresso shots and protein powder.
Seemingly overnight, proffee protein coffee has become a viral sensation on social media platforms with many people sharing their recipes online. It is a trendy drink that has garnered a huge following among health-conscious consumers, fitness enthusiasts, and nutrition experts.
Its great appeal lies in the fact that it has emerged as a delicious alternative to protein shakes for people who want a convenient way to increase their daily protein intake. Protein, a macronutrient, is broken down into amino acids which are essentially the building blocks of every cell in your body.
Protein is also needed for the slow release of energy throughout the day, which is necessary to maintain a healthy and active lifestyle.
Proffee vs Protein Shake
You might be wondering, especially if you are into fitness and working out, which is better, proffee or the more traditional protein shake. Now, the downside of high-protein shakes is that they sometimes don’t taste very good.
While the fitness industry has made great strides in improving the taste and palatability of protein powders and shakes the arrival of proffee as a protein drink has been met with a lot of enthusiasm mainly because it is delicious (and of course it includes caffeine!)
You can make a lot of different varieties, and with the right blend of proffee, you can even forget that it contains a large amount of protein and enjoy a great-tasting morning drink.
With proffee, you are also getting the benefits of a traditional cup of coffee, namely a boost in energy, improved alertness and cognition, and all the other health benefits mentioned earlier.
With the many different proffee recipes available out there you can always experiment and mix it up to ensure you never get tired of this healthy drink.
What Type of Coffee is Best to Use?
The type of coffee you decide to use in your proffee is mainly dependent on individual taste and preferences. If, say, you are a lover of the traditional espresso then it follows that you are likely to enjoy your proffee laced with generous amounts of espresso shots.
Some other types of coffee usually used are cold brew coffee, drip coffee, and French press coffee. However, having said that, two types of coffee that have proved popular when making proffee are cold brew coffee and French press coffee, although if a drip coffee maker is what you have available, go for it.
The reason for this popularity is mostly because these types of coffee are generally easy to prepare and do not usually require complex or expensive equipment. You can make this in any standard kitchen without any problems.
Cold brew coffee has the added advantage of having a longer shelf life, meaning it can be made in bigger batches that can be used all week. A cold brew does, however, need to steep longer than other types and you should be aware of this before opting for it. If it is a good quality proffee that you want above all else, then maybe French press coffee is the one for you.
With the French press, you can take your time and brew it according to your taste. Whichever type you eventually settle on, the rule of thumb is to brew it a little stronger than you usually do, keeping in mind that it will be diluted by the addition of your protein shake.
Bottom line? A stronger coffee brew will give you a better balance of flavor with making your protein coffee drink.
What Type of Protein is Best to Use?
When it comes to the protein part of proffee, there are a few different options you can choose from. The most common is a regular protein shake which can simply be added as it is to your coffee and the convenience of using a protein shake is its major advantage. However, there is a risk of ending up with an inferior blend due to the prevalence of cheap, poor-quality shakes on the market.
You will have to be careful when making your selection and many people prefer to avoid it altogether. A safer and healthier option is to use 100% pure whey protein like the kind usually favored by bodybuilders.
Here you are guaranteed that what you are putting into your body is the real deal. For those of you who are vegetarians do not despair. A lot of plant-based proteins are available on the market, and these can be used in conjunction with soy milk, hazelnut milk, almond milk, or pea milk to make a very healthy protein coffee drink that does not violate your personal preferences.
Again, as in the choice of coffee, when selecting the best protein to use for your proffee coffee it usually boils down to taste and convenience. If you’re looking for suggestions, here are some of the current best selling protein powders:
How to Make Proffee
There are relatively easy ways to learn how to make proffee that don’t require a lot of equipment, time, and effort. Anyone who is used to making their coffee will find that making protein coffee is quite simple.
Those who don’t usually spend any time in the kitchen will still find that a lot of the recipes are quite easy to follow. One such protein coffee recipe is for making proffee using whey protein powder, milk, and syrup sweetener (sugar-free will keep the nutritional value higher).
Ingredients
- One scoop whey protein
- 6 oz almond milk (or water as an alternative)
- Two espresso shots (or brewed hot coffee)
- Ice cubes
- Syrup, sugar-free (or any other sweetener)
Step by Step Instructions
- Brew coffee as you normally do. You can use instant coffee to make this easier but for better results try double espresso shots or brew some strong coffee
- Mix whey protein with the milk and shake well
- Add ice cubes and shake
- Pour protein mixture into a cup
- Add coffee and sweetener
The ratio of protein to coffee is completely up to you as it is determined by taste than anything else. A stronger brew is proving to be more popular though. Perhaps because of its ability to completely mask the taste of the protein shake.
Optional Add-ins for Your Proffee
As good as the ordinary blend of just coffee and protein is it never hurts to try out a few additions and varieties. You can tweak the recipe a bit and add a few of your own ingredients to not only make the proffee more flavorful but it can also have added health benefits.
- You could add a scoop of cocoa powder to bring out that chocolaty taste. Some chocolate chips would be good for a dessert type protein coffee
- Use chocolate protein powder for a mocha java flavor
- Instead of ordinary ice, why not try some frozen banana for a creamier texture?
- Boost your proffee’s flavor and protein content with a couple of tablespoons of peanut, cashew, or almond butter
- ½ cup of oats will give a creamy protein coffee with higher protein content
- Add whipped cream and cocoa powder. With a bit of creativity, you can produce a classic presentation
Want something new and different? How about using mushroom coffee instead? The health benefits of mushrooms are well documented and no, it does not taste like fungus.
Can You Drink Proffee Hot or Cold?
The simple answer: either way, is fine. Drink protein coffee hot if you prefer. Some ingredients do go better with hot proffee.
For example, if you are going to add some almond butter then hot proffee is preferable. On the other hand, frozen bananas can only pair with cold proffee.
Ultimately, your choice might be based on other factors like how you usually take your coffee, whether it’s meant as a morning pick-me-up or as a post work out protein boost, or even the weather conditions. An ice-cold proffee does not sound so good in the dead of winter. But regardless of how you prefer it, the nutritional benefits are in no way diminished either way.
Conclusion
Proffee protein coffee is growing steadily in popularity and is quickly becoming recognized as not only a new and flavorful drink but also one loaded with health benefits. The simplicity of the recipe and preparation, coupled with the readily available and affordable ingredients mean that more and more people are adopting it as their daily go-to drink.
So now that you know how to make proffee, what do you think? Is protein coffee going to become a household beverage for you? Suffice to say, a good old cup of Joe will never be the same again.
Candi Randolph is a coffee lover, blogger, and content creator who loves to share her knowledge with the coffee-drinking world. You’ll often find her tending to her coffee bar at home, deciding which method to use to brew her next cup of java. Life is full of important decisions. ☕
