Bulletproof Coffee With Regular Grounds: Is It Possible?

Quick answer

• Yes, you can make a version of bulletproof coffee using regular coffee grounds, but it won’t be identical to the traditional recipe.
• The key is to focus on the fat content and emulsification, rather than a specific bean or roast.
• You’ll need to carefully blend your brewed coffee with butter and MCT oil (or coconut oil) to achieve the right texture.
• Expect a slightly different flavor profile and consistency compared to using finely ground, high-quality beans.
• Experiment with ratios to find what works best for your taste and desired outcome.
• Ensure your coffee is brewed strong enough to stand up to the added fats.

Who this is for

• Anyone curious about the bulletproof coffee trend who already has a standard coffee maker and grounds.
• Individuals looking for a more accessible and budget-friendly way to try bulletproof coffee.
• People who enjoy experimenting with their morning coffee routine and are open to variations.

What to check first

Brewer type and filter type

• What to check: Identify your coffee maker (drip, pour-over, French press, etc.) and the type of filter it uses (paper, metal, cloth).
• What good looks like: Your brewer should be in good working order. For bulletproof coffee, a cleaner brew with fewer fine particles is often preferred, which can lean towards paper filters or a well-maintained French press.
• Common mistake: Using a brewer that produces a lot of sediment (like an old or poorly cleaned French press) can lead to a gritty final drink that doesn’t emulsify well.

Water quality and temperature

• What to check: Assess your tap water. If it has a strong taste or odor, consider using filtered water. Check your coffee maker’s ability to heat water sufficiently.
• What good looks like: Water that tastes clean and neutral. For brewing, water temperatures between 195°F and 205°F are ideal for extracting flavor from coffee grounds.
• Common mistake: Using hard or chlorinated water can negatively impact coffee flavor. Water that’s too cool won’t extract enough flavor, while water that’s too hot can scorch the grounds, leading to bitterness.

Grind size and coffee freshness

• What to check: Note the grind size of your regular coffee grounds. Are they pre-ground for drip, or do you grind them yourself? Check the roast date on your coffee bag if possible.
• What good looks like: Medium to medium-fine grounds are typical for most automatic drip machines. Fresher coffee (ideally within a few weeks of roasting) will yield better flavor.
• Common mistake: Using stale, pre-ground coffee can result in a flat, uninspired brew that won’t complement the added fats. Overly coarse grounds may lead to weak coffee, while overly fine grounds can clog filters or lead to over-extraction and bitterness.

Coffee-to-water ratio

• What to check: How much coffee grounds are you using per cup (or ounce) of water?
• What good looks like: A common starting point is 1:15 to 1:18 ratio (e.g., 1 gram of coffee to 15-18 grams of water). For bulletproof coffee, you might want to brew it slightly stronger, perhaps closer to 1:14, to ensure the coffee flavor isn’t lost.
• Common mistake: Using too little coffee will result in a weak brew that gets easily overpowered by the butter and oil, making the drink taste mostly of fat.

Cleanliness/descale status

• What to check: When was the last time you cleaned your coffee maker and grinder? Has it been descaled recently?
• What good looks like: A sparkling clean machine with no visible residue. Your coffee should taste clean, not bitter or stale.
• Common mistake: Old coffee oils and mineral buildup can impart off-flavors and affect the brewing process, leading to a less enjoyable and potentially gritty bulletproof coffee.

Step-by-step (brew workflow)

1. Prepare your coffee maker: Ensure your brewer is clean and ready to go.

• What good looks like: A visibly clean coffee maker and carafe.
• Common mistake: Using a dirty machine imparts stale flavors. Always rinse or clean parts after each use.

2. Measure your coffee grounds: Use your regular coffee grounds, aiming for a slightly stronger ratio than usual (e.g., 1:14 to 1:16 coffee to water).

• What good looks like: Consistent measurement of grounds for a balanced brew.
• Common mistake: Inconsistent measuring leads to varying brew strength. Use a scale for best results.

3. Add water: Fill your coffee maker’s reservoir with filtered water.

• What good looks like: Using clean, fresh water.
• Common mistake: Stale or heavily chlorinated water will negatively affect the final taste.

4. Brew your coffee: Start your coffee maker and let it complete its brewing cycle.

• What good looks like: A full carafe of hot, freshly brewed coffee.
• Common mistake: Interrupting the brew cycle or not letting it finish can lead to under-extraction.

5. Measure fats: While coffee brews, measure 1-2 tablespoons of unsalted butter (grass-fed is traditional, but regular works) and 1-2 tablespoons of MCT oil or coconut oil.

• What good looks like: Accurate measurements of your chosen fats.
• Common mistake: Eyeballing the amounts can lead to an overly oily or unbalanced drink.

For the creamiest texture, consider using grass-fed butter, which is a traditional choice for bulletproof coffee. You can find high-quality options like this grass-fed butter.

Kerrygold Grass-Fed Pure Irish Salted Butter Sticks, 16 OZ

• KERRYGOLD PURE IRISH SALTED BUTTER: Our European-style salted butter is made on family farms from the milk of grass-fed cows, who graze year round on lush Irish pastures, for a golden yellow butter that's rich & creamy.
• ALL-NATURAL, ALL-PURPOSE: Kerrygold Salted Butter is a great all-purpose, all-natural butter. Keep a block in your butter dish to spread on fresh bread, or enhance the flavor of your baking & cooking.
• KERRYGOLD BUTTER: Made from the milk of grass-fed cows, our pure Irish butter is rich and soft. From salted butter to unsalted, garlic and herb to reduced fat, Kerrygold butter elevates your dishes.
• MORE THAN BUTTER: Beloved for our richly flavorful butter, we put the same care and quality into our all-natural cheese, like our classic Dubliner, aged cheddar, Swiss, and Blarney Castle cheese.
• TASTE THE DIFFERENCE: Kerrygold butter & cheese are made with milk from grass-fed cows not treated with rBST or other growth hormones* & raised on Irish family dairy farms. This all-natural milk is what makes our products so flavorful & creamy.

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6. Combine in blender: Pour the hot brewed coffee into a blender. Add the measured butter and MCT oil.

• What good looks like: All ingredients safely in the blender pitcher.
• Common mistake: Adding ingredients in the wrong order or to a hot blender without caution can be messy or dangerous.

7. Blend on high: Secure the lid tightly and blend on high speed for 30-60 seconds.

• What good looks like: The mixture should become frothy, creamy, and emulsified, resembling a latte.
• Common mistake: Not blending long enough will result in separated oil and butter, not a smooth, creamy texture.

8. Check consistency: Observe the texture. It should be smooth, with no visible oil slick on top.

• What good looks like: A uniform, opaque, creamy liquid.
• Common mistake: If it’s still oily or separated, blend for another 15-30 seconds.

9. Pour and serve: Pour the blended bulletproof coffee into your favorite mug.

• What good looks like: A steaming mug of your homemade bulletproof coffee.
• Common mistake: Letting it sit too long without stirring or re-blending can cause separation.

10. Taste and adjust: Sip your creation. Adjust the butter and oil ratios in future brews to suit your preference.

• What good looks like: A taste that balances coffee bitterness with creamy richness.
• Common mistake: Forgetting to note what you liked or disliked, making it harder to improve next time.

Common mistakes (and what happens if you ignore them)

Decision rules (simple if/then)

• If your regular coffee grounds taste bitter, then reduce the amount of coffee grounds slightly or ensure your water isn’t too hot because over-extraction causes bitterness.
• If your bulletproof coffee separates after blending, then blend for longer or ensure your coffee was brewed hot because insufficient blending or cool coffee prevents emulsification.
• If the drink tastes too oily, then reduce the amount of butter and MCT oil in your next brew because too much fat can be overwhelming.
• If the coffee flavor is too weak, then use more coffee grounds or brew a stronger batch because the fats can mask a mild coffee taste.
• If you experience digestive discomfort, then reduce the amount of MCT oil or switch to coconut oil because some people are sensitive to MCT oil.
• If your coffee has a muddy or gritty texture, then check your coffee grind size and brewer filter; ensure you’re not using overly fine grounds or a filter that lets too much sediment through.
• If your coffee maker is old and hasn’t been cleaned, then descale and clean it thoroughly before brewing because old residue will impart off-flavors.
• If your tap water has a noticeable taste, then use filtered water because water quality significantly impacts coffee flavor.
• If you find the texture isn’t creamy enough, then ensure you are using enough butter and blending on high speed for sufficient time because creaminess comes from proper emulsification.
• If you’re using pre-ground coffee and it tastes stale, then try to find coffee with a recent roast date or consider buying whole beans and grinding them yourself because freshness is key to good flavor.

FAQ

Can I use any type of coffee grounds for bulletproof coffee?

Yes, you can use regular coffee grounds. While traditionally made with finely ground, high-quality beans, the key to a successful bulletproof coffee is the emulsification of fats into the brewed coffee. Your regular grounds will work, though the flavor profile might differ from what some purists expect.

What is the difference between using regular grounds and specialized beans for bulletproof coffee?

Specialized beans are often chosen for their specific flavor profiles that complement the added fats. Using regular grounds might result in a less nuanced or slightly more bitter coffee flavor that the fats don’t balance as elegantly. However, the fundamental process of blending fats remains the same.

How much butter and MCT oil should I use?

A common starting point is 1-2 tablespoons of unsalted butter and 1-2 tablespoons of MCT oil or coconut oil per 8-12 ounces of brewed coffee. It’s best to start with smaller amounts and adjust to your personal taste and tolerance.

Will my bulletproof coffee taste like butter?

When blended properly, the butter and oil should emulsify into the coffee, creating a smooth, creamy texture and a rich flavor that complements the coffee, rather than tasting overtly of butter. If it tastes too much like butter, you may have used too much or not blended it enough.

Can I use regular oil instead of MCT oil or coconut oil?

While MCT oil and coconut oil are commonly recommended for their specific fatty acid profiles and emulsifying properties, you could experiment with other neutral-flavored oils. However, results may vary, and some oils might not emulsify as well or could alter the taste significantly.

What if my bulletproof coffee separates?

This usually means it wasn’t blended long enough or the coffee wasn’t hot enough. Try blending for an additional 30-60 seconds on high speed. If it continues to separate, ensure your coffee is brewed hot and that you’re using enough fat to help with emulsification.

Is bulletproof coffee healthy with regular grounds?

The health aspects of bulletproof coffee are debated and depend on your overall diet and how you incorporate it. Using regular grounds doesn’t inherently make it less healthy than using specialized beans; the focus is on the added fats and how they fit into your nutritional goals.

Can I make bulletproof coffee in a French press?

Yes, you can brew coffee in a French press and then blend it with butter and MCT oil. Just be sure to use a coarser grind for your French press to avoid sediment, and clean the press thoroughly to prevent off-flavors.

What this page does NOT cover (and where to go next)

• Specific health claims or nutritional benefits associated with bulletproof coffee.
• Detailed comparisons of different types of MCT oil or grass-fed butter.
• Advanced brewing techniques for optimizing coffee flavor for this specific beverage.
• Recipes for flavored bulletproof coffee variations.