Level Up Your Coffee Drinking
Is the comma of your busy day that sweet sip of aromatic, earthy goodness?
Smooth, creamy almost caramel, and seemingly compact with a much needed dose of energy? Yet, if you find it leaves you feeling jittery, wired, dependent, or out balance in some way then hold the next slurp & read on.
One of my favourite things about Ayurveda is it’s inherently flexible, non-judgmental and focuses on tailoring advice to the needs of the individual. So no food is good or bad necessarily but our ability to digest and assimilate is the indicator of good health. An Ayurvedic perspective on improving the quality of your coffee would be to adapt it to your unique constitution and current potential imbalances.
So pick and choose from my recommendations depending on what you feel you need right now.
☕ General tips to elevate your brew:
Try and drink your coffee between 6 am & 10am. This is the time of day when cool, heavier qualities of kapha can make us feel sluggish.
Too much coffee can be depleting & dehydrating so don’t drink it on an empty stomach, have a warm glass of water first. Enjoy alongside a balanced breakfast for optimal results.
Opt for organic if possible. A lot of brands contain pesticides and mould which can lead to a build up of toxins in the body. I like Rave (not sponsored).
In Ayurveda, coffee has heating, drying, light & astringent qualities. Balance this naturally with sweet cardamom, coconut oil or ghee (the OG bullet coffee).
☕ Dosha specific tips:
Vata dosha
Air & Ether
Qualities: Cold, dry & light. Governs movement & nervous systmes.
Imbalance symptoms: Anxiety, dryness, jitters & difficulties sleeping.
Level up: Try a pinch of salt & half a teaspoon of coconut oil/ghee to retain moisture in the digestive tract. The added fat has a grounding quality so opt for creamy and sweet.
Pitta dosha
Fire & Water
Qualities: Hot, oily, sharp. Creative, energising. Governs digestion & metabolism.
Imbalance symptoms: Acid reflux, digestive discomfort, irritability, red pimples.
Level up: It might be a good time to slowly pause your coffee drinking. Try swapping out your coffee for herbal alternatives. If you’re a Pitta type and not experiencing any imbalances, go ahead and enjoy with some cooling crushed green cardamom alongside a balanced breakfast. Add some sweetness (maple syrup, organic cane sugar/monk fruit) but hold the cream.
Kapha dosha
Earth
Qualities: Stable, cold, wet, heavy. Governs structure & lubrication.
Imbalance symptoms: Water retention, lethargy, brain fog.
Level up: Good news! Coffee can be a nice addition to your diet. Enjoy with invigorating spices like ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg and cardamom. If you’re feeling congested, leave out the milk and sweetness and stick to a spiced black combination.
☕ My coffee morning ritual:
I don’t have one! I listen to my body and note how I’m feeling, remembering that I’m opting for a strong digestive fire and state of internal balance. In the Winter, I might have a spiced decaf with a breakfast of ragi porridge topped with soaked almonds and stewed apples.
If I’m drinking for the vibes whilst working, I’ll opt for a green tea, turmeric chai or chicory & barley alternative and blend in some ground flaxseed and shatavari for sustained energy. If I have the odd cappuccino when I’m out I’ll make sure to be well hydrated to mitigate any unwanted jitteriness.
On the celebratory days that call for tiramisu or espresso martini’s - I enjoy, full-heartedly and in good company.
Ayurveda isn’t about perfection but understanding the dynamic, changing quality of our health and how best to support it. Life is a resonance - a feeling, moving, spontaneous unfolding and our wellness practices can be equally as fluid and fun.
My promise: I’m committed to creating authentic pieces of writing, my blogs will remain AI-free, quality (hopefully) material.
