Coffee is sacred, especially morning coffee. You don’t f*&k with that ritual.
So when the internet started talking about adding dollops of butter and coconut oil to morning brews, I crossed my arms in staunch protest. The idea of oil pooling on the surface of my coffee, my carefully brewed Chemex coffee, did not appeal to me in the least. I ignored the hype, but hype is persistent, and it found me.
I was styling a cookbook for my friend Lindsey, aka “The Food Mood Girl,” (cookbook coming soon!). Her book includes a recipe for coffee with butter and coconut oil, but she busted out a GAME CHANGER– a blender! She made me a “Bulletproof Coffee” believer. The blender emulsified the oils, leaving only a rich, frothy drink- nothing oily lingering on the surface. I waved a white flag, especially since my favorite doctor, the Good Doc Pattison, praises the health benefits of drinking “Bulletproof Coffee.”
Since moving past my Bulletproof Coffee resistance, I technically freed more energy to focus on resisting the things that matter- inequality and injustice. One of my goals for this year was to be a better feminist, and part of that process is educating myself, giving myself the role models my education glossed over. While researching for an article for Design*Sponge, entitled 10 Socially Conscious Brands to Support, I discovered this mug from The Fussbudget Club. Now I can begin each day with a cup of properly directed dissent.
“Fussbudget Club President Gwynne Siak was born crabby and doesn’t care who knows it – early on, she took the words of Lucy Van Pelt, Patron Saint of Fussbudgets, to heart: ‘The crabby little girls of today grow up to be the crabby old women of tomorrow!'” Gwynne generously donated proceeds of this mug and other artworks to the ACLU, so I feel extra purposeful when sipping a weekend dose of coffee in this four-finger mug and snuggling my best girl (Julep’s totally a feminist!).
I shamefully knew very little about Ruth Bader Ginsburg, so the mug inspired me to start reading her autobiography, My Own Word. Reading the book made me realize how much has changed, how many privileges I have received through the brave work of those who blazed before me. Ginsburg’s many critical essays linger timelessly, as there is still so much work to be done toward equality and justice.
“America is known as a country that welcomes people to its shores. All kinds of people. The image of the Statue of Liberty with Emma Lazarus’ famous poem. She lifts her lamp and welcomes people to the golden shore, where they will not experience prejudice because of the color of their skin, the religious faith that they follow.” -Ruth Bader Ginsburg
As cheesy as it may be, when I think about being a more tolerant society, I can’t help but think of my Julep, my constant reminder to love unconditionally regardless of gender, race, religion, etc. Just wag your tail and welcome everybody, and maybe be just a little more open minded when it comes to coffee alterations? Nah. Some fronts still require dissent!
Bulletproof Coffee
About this Recipe: I start my Bulletproof Coffee with my favorite beans from One Village Coffee. In addition to being fair-trade and organic, they’re one of the founding B-Corporation certified companies in the country. Add a fresh brewed cup to quality fats, and you have an energizing, frothy drink!
Ingredients
1 cup brewed coffee (recommended: One Village Coffee)
1 Tablespoon butter (from grass-fed cows such as Kerrygold)
1-2 Tablespoons organic coconut oil
1-2 Tablespoons raw cacao
Directions
Combine the brewed coffee, butter, coconut oil and raw cacao in a blender, and mix until frothy. Pour into your favorite mug.
Enjoy!
Hi Quelcy, this post intrigued me! I’m such a traditionalist when it comes to coffee and to be honest I would never think of adding butter or oil in mine. But still I loved reading this. Having said that I’m sitting with my *caramel* cappuccino in one of my favourite places, so you never know!
Ha! I totally feel you. One of my favorite coffee shops makes their own syrups, and I’m a sucker for their lavender lattes. Like I said, I was completely skeptical, but the blending makes all the difference. Maybe make somebody else make it for you. 😉
Coffee made with butter and oil? Hmm… I’m curious to try this! Does the raw cacao add a bitter sweetness to it? I love coffee and chocolate flavours, so I imagine the cacao would go well with it.
The cacao adds just a little nuttiness to the mix- not bitter. The coconut oil and creamy butter balance it enough for me, but if you like a little sweetness, you can add a simple syrup, honey or stevia.