Another season has come and gone. Winter is fast approaching, and this changes many aspects of our lives. For some, upcoming holidays are top of mind, while for others adjusting to the season’s changes is more front and center.
No matter who you are, we truly believe that coffee plays a role in the magic of winter that we all can experience. With a new season comes new opportunities to enjoy coffee—and, more importantly for some—more reasons to start.
If winter has you down or you’re simply trying to function in the early morning when there is no ray of sun in sight, coffee can play an active role in promoting a better go of it.
Let’s look at why coffee is good at fighting off the winter blue and, after it, look at the positive effects coffee has. We even have a few special winter coffee drink recipes for you to consider.
Are you ready?
Why Coffee is the Most Effective Way of Combating the Winter Blues?
As the weather gets colder and the days shorter, many people find themselves struggling with the winter blues. But there is one simple solution that can help combat those feelings of sadness, fatigue, and irritability—coffee.
It might be optimistic sensationalism, but coffee really does a lot for us when other factors are pulling us down. Winter can often be a hard time of year, but who knew step one in the right direction was making a favorite brew?
What Makes People Love a Warm Drink in Winter?
The answer is simple: humans love warmth. They feel more comfortable when they are warm in a cold environment. Whether it reminds them of a fireplace or the company of good friends, coffee creates an entire atmosphere that lifts our spirits. And the best coffee does this very well.
How Coffee Fights Seasonal Affective Disorder
In the dead of winter, when the temperatures are below freezing and the skies are gray, it can be hard to fight off the blues. But coffee is here to help.
Seasonal Affective Disorder, also known as SAD, is a form of seasonal depression that occurs during the winter months. While the exact cause of SAD is unknown, it is believed to be related to shorter days and reduced sunlight during this time of year. Studies have shown that coffee can help to boost mood and fight SAD, surprisingly enough.
It’s All in the Cup
As far as the technical parts of it go, coffee contains caffeine, which is a natural stimulant. This can help to increase energy levels and improve mood. Antioxidants, which are also in coffee, have been shown to protect against depression.
Ritual and Theatre of Coffee
But we also like to think about the ritual of coffee and how that promotes its own kind of positive effects. Especially if you’ve enjoyed coffee for a long while now, the ritual surrounding it can be grounding and calming. The habits of coffee making and the preferences by which you make coffee contribute to feelings of warmth, well being, and delight.
And we know that aromas are powerful triggers of human memory. If you’ve walked into a room with a pot brewing or where a fresh bag of whole-bean coffee was just opened, you know full well the billowing aroma that can fill an entire house. Just like the smell of peppermint may help a student with her test-taking, coffee can trigger positive emotions—even before a first sip! The theatre of coffee works by creating an entire environment of enjoyment and pleasure.
Around the Table with Coffee
For many, coffee is also a communal experience. Coffee brings people together and gets people talking.
Coffee, itself, can be the first part of a conversation that changes into topics of greater interest and connectedness. We can judge how a person’s day is going by their coffee order and respond accordingly. We tend to open up ourselves after about half a cup is downed and we start making preparations for the next cup.
How to Make Winter Coffee Special
Coffee is coffee, right? Well, not quite. Each season brings its own ways of making and enjoying coffee. Winter just adds a few more festive and jovial options to the mix.
3 Winter Coffee Recipes to Try this Year
If you’re looking for something a little bit different this winter, try one of these three wintery coffee drinks.
Eggnog Latte
This rich and creamy latte substitutes eggnog in place of milk. It’s the perfect way to get your caffeine fix and celebrate the holidays at the same time!
The easiest way is to start with freshly brewed coffee. For best results, use a high-quality Arabica bean coffee. Our Peruvian French Roast would be an option for brewed coffee and for those with an espresso setup can enjoy our House Espresso.
Add in eggnog – homemade or store-bought. For a richer latte, use full-fat milk eggnog. Then, sweeten to taste with sugar, honey, or syrup. If using store-bought eggnog, you may not need to add any additional sweetener.
Cold Brew Martini
As the weather gets colder, our coffee drinks get fancier. While we might not be able to go out and enjoy a cold brew martini at our favorite bar, that doesn’t mean we can’t make one at home! Here’s how you can make a cold brew martini that will warm you up this winter:
You’ll need:
- 1 1/2 ounces cold brew coffee
- 1-ouncece vodka
- 1/2-ounce simple syrup
- 1/4-ounce dry vermouth
- Ice
- Coffee beans (for optional garnish)
Directions:
First off, you’ll need a way to make a cold brew or purchase it in bulk. If you make cold brew yourself, try our Blueberry coffee for invigorating seasonal flavors—just grind it coarse. Cold brew is super easy to make but does take a few brewing materials.
Once you have it, add the cold brew coffee, vodka, simple syrup, and dry vermouth to a shaker filled with ice. Simply shake well and pour it into a chilled glass—straining the ice out as you pour. If it fits your fancy, you can garnish the drink with coffee beans. Not everyone will love this, but adventure calls for a first try anyways!
Sumatran Pour Over
If you’re looking for something a bit more “basic coffee” but with seasonal notes, try our Dark Sumatran coffee beans—it’s Fair Trade and oh-so-delicious. It has a rich, earthy flavor that is perfect for winter mornings.
This rich and flavorful coffee is perfect for cold weather sipping and making it at home is easier than you might think. We love Sumatran coffee made with a pour-over, but it does just as well in your favorite coffee machine or French Press.
Make it for yourself and see why Sumatran-origin coffee is a seasonal favorite.
Drinking Coffee is the Perfect Holiday Tradition
Coffee is the perfect holiday drink because it is warm and comforting. It has a deep aroma, which will fill your home with that cozy feeling. It brings people together and stimulates conversation. Plus, there are so many coffee variations to make and enjoy during the winter.
Klekolo World Coffee loves to make every coffee experience meaningful and tasty. That’s we work so hard to keep our café stocked with specialty coffees and scrumptious pastries. And it’s why we’ve started providing our specialty coffees for purchase online for those outside of the Middletown, CT area.
Please contact us with any questions about our coffee. We’d love to make sure you find the perfect beans for you and your occasion.
Coffee is a very special drink, and we try to make the experience as special as possible. Enjoy your winter—even if the days are colder and shorter—and try some new coffee and make memories with loved ones as you do.
