Pairing coffee with food can elevate both experiences. Whether you’re having breakfast, dessert, or a snack, picking the right coffee flavor can enhance your meal. The key is matching the flavors of the coffee and the food in a way that enhances their natural qualities.
In this guide, we’ll explore the best flavored coffee options to pair with a variety of foods. We’ll also dive into some popular coffee flavors, give tips on pairing them, and highlight some interesting coffee flavors that might surprise you.
Why Pair Coffee and Food?
Just like wine and food pairings, coffee and food combinations can create harmony on the palate. The right pairing can make your favorite foods taste better and bring out new layers of flavor in your coffee. Whether you prefer sweet, savory, or something in between, there’s a coffee to complement your dish.
Let’s explore some of the best flavored coffee beans to pair with different types of foods.
1. Breakfast Pairings: Start Your Day Right
Breakfast and coffee are a natural match. Here are some pairings that can make your morning meal even better.
French Vanilla Coffee and Pastries
French Vanilla is one of the best flavored coffees for breakfast. It has a smooth, creamy sweetness. This flavor goes well with croissants, muffins, or Danish pastries. The light, mellow vanilla flavor balances the richness of buttery pastries, making for a perfect start to the day.
Hazelnut Coffee and Toasted Bagels
For a cozy, nutty morning, try pairing Hazelnut coffee with toasted bagels. The slightly sweet, roasted flavor adds depth to your breakfast. It’s especially delicious if you spread your bagel with cream cheese or peanut butter.
Maple Coffee and Pancakes or Waffles
Maple is a popular coffee flavor that complements any sweet, carb-heavy breakfast. The syrupy notes in Maple coffee perfectly echo the flavors of pancakes or waffles, creating a delightful combination that’s sweet without being overpowering.
2. Dessert Pairings: Sweet Treats and Coffee Delights
Pairing different coffee flavors with desserts can enhance the sweetness of both. Here are some ideas to try:
Highlander Grogg Coffee and Chocolate Cake
Highlander Grogg has a blend of caramel, butterscotch, and a touch of spice. It pairs well with chocolate desserts, like rich chocolate cake or brownies. The bold, complex flavor of this flavored coffee balances the sweetness of chocolate while adding a unique twist to the experience.
Hazelnut Coffee and Cookies
Hazelnut’s nutty, sweet profile pairs beautifully with almost any cookie, especially those with chocolate or nuts. The flavor of Hazelnut coffee brings out the richness in chocolate chip cookies or complements nut-based treats like almond biscotti.
French Vanilla Coffee and Fruit Tarts
If you’re enjoying a fruity dessert like a berry tart or lemon bars, French Vanilla coffee is an ideal companion. Its creamy, sweet flavor pairs well with the tartness of fruit, enhancing both the coffee and the dessert.
Gooey Butter Cake Coffee and Cheesecake
Coming soon to our lineup, Gooey Butter Cake coffee offers rich, buttery sweetness. Paired with a classic cheesecake or even a slice of pound cake, this interesting coffee flavor creates a decadent and indulgent dessert experience.
3. Savory Pairings: Coffee and Lunch or Dinner
Though we often think of coffee with sweet treats, certain different coffee flavors can pair well with savory foods, too.
Hazelnut Coffee and Savory Brunch Dishes
Pair Hazelnut coffee with savory brunch options like quiche, frittatas, or even bacon and eggs. The sweet, roasted flavor complements the richness of eggs, cheese, and meats without overwhelming the dish.
Maple Coffee and Grilled Meats
Maple coffee can be a surprising but delicious pairing with grilled meats, especially pork or chicken. The sweet, caramel-like flavors of maple work well with smoky, charred flavors from the grill, adding complexity to both the coffee and the dish.
4. Afternoon Snack Pairings: The Perfect Coffee Break
An afternoon snack with a flavored coffee can be the perfect pick-me-up. Here are some pairings to try with your favorite snacks.
French Vanilla Coffee and Scones
Pairing French Vanilla coffee with a scone, especially one with fruit or chocolate, is a match made in heaven. The creamy, smooth vanilla flavor complements the richness of the scone, creating a sweet, satisfying snack.
Highlander Grogg Coffee and Nut Mixes
For something savory yet sweet, pair Highlander Grogg coffee with a mix of nuts and dried fruit. The caramel and butterscotch notes in the coffee enhance the natural sweetness of the fruit and the roasted flavor of the nuts.
Maple Coffee and Granola Bars
Maple’s sweetness is a perfect match for granola bars, especially those that include nuts or chocolate. The syrupy flavor of Maple coffee highlights the honey and nut flavors often found in granola, making for a balanced and tasty snack.
5. Interesting Coffee Flavors to Try
If you want to try something different, we have some unique options coming soon. These interesting coffee flavors will make your coffee experience special. Two standout options are Mississippi Mud Pie and Gooey Butter Cake—both of which bring dessert-inspired flavors into your cup, making for a rich and indulgent treat.
Mississippi Mud Pie Coffee
Inspired by the classic dessert, this flavor combines rich chocolate, graham crackers, and marshmallow. The bold, sweet taste of Mississippi Mud Pie coffee pairs perfectly with desserts like chocolate chip cookies, brownies, or even s’mores. If you enjoy deep, chocolaty flavors in your coffee, this is the perfect brew to satisfy your cravings.
Gooey Butter Cake Coffee
If you’re a fan of buttery, sweet treats, Gooey Butter Cake coffee will be a new favorite. Its smooth, rich flavor is reminiscent of the beloved cake, with notes of butter and vanilla. Pair this with a slice of cheesecake, pound cake, or a simple buttery shortbread cookie to create a truly indulgent coffee break. This flavor is ideal for those who love dessert-style coffees with a creamy, comforting profile.
These flavored coffee beans offer a deliciously unique way to enjoy your coffee, blending bold dessert flavors with the freshness of whole bean coffee.
Final Thoughts: Finding the Best Coffee Flavor Pairing for You
Pairing good coffee flavors with food has no right or wrong. It’s all about finding what tastes best to you and enhances your experience. If want ideas on how to pick out your new favorite flavored coffee, check out our guide.
You might enjoy the sweet taste of French Vanilla. You could prefer the strong flavor of Highlander Grogg. Or you may like the rich nuttiness of Hazelnut. There is a perfect coffee for every meal or snack.
Experiment with different coffee flavors and foods, and you might discover some new favorite combinations. With so many options, from classic popular coffee flavors to interesting coffee flavors, your coffee break can always be an adventure.
