4 Overrated Coffee Trends (And Better Alternatives)

It’s no secret the people love coffee. In 2018, about 64 percent of adults in the United States drink at least one cup of coffee every day. This adds up to about 400 million cups being consumed daily in the U.S. alone!

There are many opinions about what’s the best way to consume coffee. Approximately 35 percent of people prefer to drink their coffee black. For everyone else, it’s an ongoing quest to find the perfect caffeinated concoction.

But which of these ideas are legitimate coffee beverages and which ones are just hype? Here are four of the most overrated coffee trends right now, along with better alternatives.

Butter in Coffee

Recently, butter has become one of the more popular coffee additions. Otherwise referred to as “bulletproof coffee,” there are a few reasons why many people are getting on board with this trend. A lot of people are suggesting butter it a preferable because it’s high in fat and has no carbs. There are certain diets—such as the ketogenic diet—that call for nutrition to be reoriented in this way.

While it at first seem to be healthier than dumping sugar into your coffee, butter isn’t necessarily much better—despite living up to the general ketogenic protocol. It has high saturated fat content, which really isn’t good for you.

Alternative suggestion: If you’re trying to cut back on sugar, or add fat as suggested in some diets, try making your own almond milk. This will have a lot of good fats, while also giving you a creamier cup of Joe. You can put some salt in there too if you’re craving that taste.

Chia Seeds in Coffee

Chia seeds seem to be popping up everywhere these days. Whether it’s on your avocado toast at the brunch spot, or your favorite smoothie, chia seeds are find their way into all kinds of foods. And there’s nothing wrong with this. They’re high in nutrient content and fiber, while also being quite lean calorically.

But is coffee really the next frontier for chia seeds? The amount of effort you need to exert in order to make this combo work definitely doesn’t make it worth it. Also, chia seeds are, well, seeds. You can grind them up to negate this. But otherwise, you’re going to be chewing your morning coffee. That’s not for everyone.

Alternative suggestion: If you’re looking for a superfood to add to your coffee, consider cacao. It’s high in antioxidants, agrees with coffee on a taste level, and adding it requires almost zero extra effort.

Coffee Pod Machines

Plenty of people praise coffee pod machines for brewing single-size servings. But there are just so many things wrong with these machines. First of all, they’re not sanitary. Coffee pod machines are a breeding ground for dangerous bacteria. Beyond that, the machines are expensive, wasteful, and generally don’t make great coffee owing to low quality ground coffee in the pods being subject burning by highly pressurized, scalding hot water/steam in machines.

Alternative suggestion: It’s now possible to purchase single-serve coffee pods that negate all the issues of coffee pod machines. Caffè di Artisan is probably the frontrunner in this space. They make luxury liquid coffee pods that require no machine, while also brewing a far superior cup of coffee, which is also preservative / chemical free. Additionally, they use sustainable packing and sourcing methods; so you don’t have to feel bad about the single-use nature.

Super Sugary Drinks

Some people are definitely addicted to sugary coffee drinks. It might be some form of iced coffee, or something that barely even resembles coffee at all—done up with caramel, whipped cream, chocolate chips, simple syrup and the like. Whatever the concoction, super sugary coffee drinks are not health for you. Sugar—specifically refined sugar—is one of the , things you can consume.

Alternative suggestion: Drinking sugary coffee beverages isn’t a sustainable practice if you care about your health. Try making a replica at home with much less added sugar. You can try putting in cinnamon or other spices to give it a sweeter taste without going overboard. Or you can purchase lighter coffee brews to cut back on the bitter flavor, if that’s not your taste.

We take coffee very seriously. Although everyone is entitled to their own opinions on the matter, there are some coffee trends that just don’t cut it. Consider switching over to these alternative ideas.