Making Coffee With Ghee

Quick Answer

• Ghee coffee is a bulletproof-style drink. It uses ghee and sometimes MCT oil.
• It’s meant to be a rich, creamy, energy-boosting beverage.
• You’ll need a way to blend it smooth. A regular coffee maker is fine for the coffee part.
• Start with good coffee and fresh ghee.
• Taste and adjust the fat content to your liking.
• Don’t expect it to taste like regular coffee.

Who This Is For

• Folks looking for a high-fat, energizing morning drink.
• People interested in the bulletproof coffee trend.
• Adventurous coffee drinkers wanting to experiment beyond the usual.

What to Check First

Brewer Type and Filter Type

You’re making coffee, so whatever you use to brew is key. Drip, pour-over, French press – they all work. The filter matters for how clean your coffee is. Paper filters catch more oils and fines. Metal filters let more through, which can be good for flavor but might add to the texture with ghee.

Water Quality and Temperature

Good coffee starts with good water. If your tap water tastes off, your coffee will too. Filtered water is usually the way to go. For brewing, aim for water that’s hot but not boiling, typically between 195-205°F. Too cool, and you won’t extract enough flavor. Too hot, and you can scorch the grounds.

Grind Size and Coffee Freshness

This is huge. Freshly roasted beans, ground right before brewing, make a world of difference. For most drip or pour-over, a medium grind is best. Too fine, and it’ll over-extract and get bitter. Too coarse, and it’ll be weak. Ghee coffee needs a solid coffee base to start.

Coffee-to-Water Ratio

This is your strength setting. A good starting point for most methods is around 1:15 to 1:18 coffee to water by weight. So, for 30 grams of coffee, use about 450-540 grams (or ml) of water. Too little coffee, and your drink will be weak. Too much, and it can be too intense, especially before adding fat.

Cleanliness/Descale Status

Your brewer needs to be clean. Old coffee oils can go rancid and ruin the taste. If you’ve got a drip machine, run a descaling cycle regularly. For manual methods, a good scrub after each use is all you need. Nobody wants bitter, funky coffee, especially not when you’re adding ghee.

Step-by-Step (Brew Workflow)

1. Brew Your Coffee: Make a strong cup of coffee using your preferred method. A standard drip machine or a pour-over works well.

• Good looks like: A rich, aromatic brew. It shouldn’t taste burnt or weak.
• Common mistake: Using old or stale coffee grounds. This makes the coffee taste flat. Always use fresh beans.

2. Measure Your Ghee: Add 1-2 tablespoons of unsalted ghee to your blender. Start with less if you’re new to this.

• Good looks like: A clean measurement of ghee.
• Common mistake: Using salted butter or margarine. Ghee is clarified butter, so stick to that for the best flavor and emulsification.

3. Add MCT Oil (Optional): If you’re using MCT oil, add 1-2 teaspoons to the blender along with the ghee.

• Good looks like: The correct amount of oil added.
• Common mistake: Using too much MCT oil too soon. This can cause digestive upset. Go slow and build up.

4. Pour Hot Coffee: Carefully pour your hot, freshly brewed coffee into the blender. Make sure there’s enough room for blending.

• Good looks like: The coffee is hot and fills the blender appropriately.
• Common mistake: Overfilling the blender. This can lead to a messy explosion. Leave headspace.

5. Blend on Low: Start blending on a low speed for about 10-15 seconds. This just gets things moving.

• Good looks like: The ingredients start to combine.
• Common mistake: Blending too aggressively right away. This can splash the hot liquid.

6. Increase Speed and Blend: Crank up the speed and blend for 30-60 seconds. You want it to get frothy and emulsified.

• Good looks like: A thick, creamy, latte-like foam on top. No separation of oil and coffee.
• Common mistake: Not blending long enough. The ghee and coffee won’t properly mix, leaving an oily layer.

7. Check Consistency: Pour the coffee into your mug. It should look smooth and creamy, like a latte.

• Good looks like: A uniform color and texture throughout.
• Common mistake: Pouring too quickly and losing some of the foam.

8. Taste and Adjust: Take a sip. If it’s not rich enough, add a bit more ghee or MCT oil and blend again briefly.

• Good looks like: A flavor and texture you enjoy.
• Common mistake: Not tasting and adjusting. Your preference might be different from the starting amounts.

9. Enjoy Immediately: Ghee coffee is best served right away while it’s hot and frothy.

• Good looks like: A satisfying, energy-boosting drink.
• Common mistake: Letting it sit for too long. It can separate and cool down, losing its appeal.

Common Mistakes (and What Happens If You Ignore Them)

Mistake	What It Causes	Fix
Using stale coffee beans	Weak, bitter, or flat coffee taste	Use freshly roasted beans and grind just before brewing.
Not blending long enough	Oily separation, greasy mouthfeel	Blend for 30-60 seconds until frothy and emulsified.
Using regular butter or margarine	Off-flavor, won’t emulsify properly	Use pure, unsalted ghee.
Too much MCT oil for a beginner	Digestive upset, stomach discomfort	Start with 1 teaspoon and gradually increase as tolerated.
Overfilling the blender	Messy spills, potential burns from hot liquid	Leave at least 2 inches of headspace in the blender.
Using cold or lukewarm coffee	Ghee won’t melt or emulsify well, drink is tepid	Brew coffee hot (195-205°F) and blend immediately.
Forgetting to clean the blender	Rancid oil buildup, affects future brews	Rinse the blender immediately after use. Dishwasher safe is a bonus.
Adding sugar or sweeteners	Changes the intended flavor profile and nutritional impact	Stick to the fat and coffee for the classic experience.
Not tasting and adjusting	Drink is too rich, too weak, or not to your liking	Taste before serving and adjust ghee/MCT oil amounts as needed.
Using too fine a coffee grind (for drip)	Over-extraction, bitter taste, clogs filter	Use a medium grind for drip machines; adjust based on your brewing method.

Decision Rules

• If your coffee tastes weak, then increase the coffee-to-water ratio or brew a stronger batch.
• If your ghee coffee has an oily layer on top, then you didn’t blend it long enough or the ghee wasn’t hot enough.
• If you experience digestive discomfort, then reduce the amount of MCT oil you’re adding.
• If your coffee is bitter, then your grind might be too fine, your water too hot, or your coffee is over-extracted.
• If your ghee coffee is too rich, then decrease the amount of ghee and/or MCT oil next time.
• If you want a smoother texture, then blend for a longer duration.
• If your coffee tastes off, then check your water quality and ensure your brewer is clean.
• If you’re new to ghee coffee, then start with 1 tablespoon of ghee and 1 teaspoon of MCT oil.
• If your coffee is too cold to blend effectively, then brew it hotter.
• If you prefer a less intense coffee flavor, then use a slightly coarser grind and a lower coffee-to-water ratio.

FAQ

What exactly is ghee coffee?

It’s a coffee drink blended with ghee (clarified butter) and often MCT oil. It’s a high-fat, low-carb beverage designed for energy.

Does it taste like regular coffee?

No, it has a very different flavor and texture. It’s rich, creamy, and can have a slightly buttery taste.

Is it healthy?

It’s a source of fat and can provide sustained energy. However, it’s high in calories and lacks fiber and other nutrients found in a balanced diet.

How much ghee should I use?

Start with 1-2 tablespoons per cup of coffee. Adjust based on your personal preference and tolerance.

Can I use regular butter?

While some people use unsalted butter, ghee is preferred because it’s pure fat with no milk solids, which can affect flavor and emulsification.

What happens if I don’t blend it?

The ghee and coffee will likely separate, leaving an oily layer on top and a less creamy texture.

Can I make it ahead of time?

It’s best consumed immediately after blending for the optimal texture and temperature. It can separate if left to sit.

What kind of coffee beans are best?

Medium to dark roasts often work well, but use beans you enjoy. Freshness is more important than the specific roast level.

What This Page Does Not Cover (and Where to Go Next)

• Specific health claims or benefits associated with ghee or MCT oil. (Look for nutritional and medical resources.)
• Detailed comparisons of different ghee brands or MCT oil types. (Research product reviews.)
• Advanced brewing techniques for the coffee base itself. (Explore coffee brewing guides.)
• Recipes for other types of blended coffee drinks. (Search for “specialty coffee recipes.”)