Many people around the world enjoy drinking coffee. As a result, various methods and techniques are employed to enhance the flavor of this beverage.

One of the most popular uses is incorporating ingredients such as cocoa powder into coffee, which adds a sweet and chocolate-like taste.

If you have never tried it before, you should definitely try it. This combination will provide you with a unique new experience!

Cocoa powder in coffee: Is it worth a try?

The combination might sound unusual, but adding cocoa powder to coffee is an increasingly popular choice for those seeking an interesting alternative to their morning brew.

It's worth a try if you're looking for something different from your regular morning cup of coffee.

Adding cocoa powder to your coffee is easy to do, and it'll boost the flavor of your favorite brew while still preserving those robust coffee flavors.

Down below, you'll find more information on this topic like, how you make it at home, how much cocoa powder to add, and a surprising flavor combination for the summer!

Cocoa powder next to freshly brewed coffee.
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Does cocoa powder in coffee taste good?

Yes, cocoa powder in coffee tastes quite good. It has a slightly bitter, chocolatey flavor that can change from traditional coffee flavors.

The flavor of the two together is often referred to as a mocha. Some people like to add chocolate syrup or chocolate sauce to their coffee for an even richer flavor.

However, this involves some more steps if you choose to make the chocolate syrup or sauce at home.

Adding cocoa powder to your coffee will give you a mocha-like flavor without requiring any extra steps.

How much cocoa powder do you add to coffee?

It depends on the type of cocoa powder and the coffee you want to use. Some people like to add a small amount of dark chocolate cocoa powder to their coffee for a mocha flavor.

However, if you use Dutch-processed cocoa powder in coffee, it will taste very different than if you use a natural unsweetened cocoa powder.

Natural unsweetened cocoa powders have a more bitter chocolate taste, while Dutch-processed cocoa is milder and often described as having a “chocolatey” flavor.

I like to use unsweetened cocoa powder at home, so this is what I've been adding to my coffee.

For you, this may vary depending on the type of cocoa you have in your cabinet.

I found that you don't need much cocoa powder to make your coffee taste very different and impart that mocha flavor we all know and love.

Have a look below for the amounts I like to add, depending on the coffee brewer you're using:

Brewing technique:Amount of cocoa powder:
French press1.5 tsp (5 grams) per 8-ounce cup (0.24 l)
Chemex1 tsp (3 grams) per 8-ounce cup (0.24 l)
Hario V601 tsp (3 grams) per 8-ounce cup (0.24 l)
AeroPress1.5 tsp (5 grams) per 8-ounce cup (0.24 l)
Moka pot0.5 tsp (1 gram) per 2-ounce cup (0.06 l)

Each brewing technique will make your coffee taste different.

Most of the time, I found that the French press and AeroPress have a more robust flavor than the others mentioned.

This is why I like to add just a tiny bit more cocoa powder to these brews.

As for the AeroPress, you can also make an espresso coffee with this. I suggest using the same amount as mentioned for the Moka pot.

The same applies if you decide to brew an espresso shot with your espresso machine; adding a small amount will go a long way to making your coffee taste more interesting.

Brewing espresso shots.

Now that you know how much cocoa powder to add to your coffee, have a look below for the best way to make coffee with it:

How to make coffee with cocoa powder

To make coffee with cocoa powder, add your preferred amount of cocoa powder (1 to 1.5 tsp) to a cup.

Add a splash of hot coffee and stir to combine into a paste, then add the remaining coffee!

That's all there is to it!

I found that this is the best way to make delicious mocha-flavored coffee at home in just a few minutes.

You can have a quick look at the photos below to see this delicious coffee come together:

I've also tried adding cocoa powder to the ground coffee before pouring hot water on top (for pour over coffee), but the cocoa powder clogged the filter too much, resulting in over-extracted coffee.

That's why I recommend making this recipe with the recipe listed below.

If you want to give this quick recipe a try with your brewed coffee, read more below:

Yield: 1 Serving

Coffee With Cocoa Powder

Coffee With Cocoa Powder

Adding cocoa powder to coffee is a great way to enhance the flavor of your coffee and make it taste like a cup of happiness.

Prep Time 3 minutes
Additional Time 2 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup (0.24 l) of brewed coffee
  • 1 to 1.5 tsp (3 to 5 grams) of cocoa powder

Instructions

  1. Start by brewing the coffee you like the most.
  2. While your coffee is brewing, add the cocoa powder to your favorite cup.
  3. Once your brew has finished, add a splash to the cup filled with cocoa powder.
  4. Stir the mixture well until a paste forms.
  5. Then, while stirring, add the remaining coffee.
  6. Keep stirring until you feel like the cocoa paste has fully dissolved.
  7. If you want, you can sweeten your coffee with some milk, sugar, or coffee creamer.
  8. You're now ready to enjoy your coffee with cocoa powder!

Notes

Depending on the coffee you're using, the amount of cocoa powder can change. Have a look above for the best amount to add to your cup!

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Nutrition Information:

Serving Size:

1

Amount Per Serving: Calories: 12Total Fat: 0.7gSaturated Fat: 0.4gUnsaturated Fat: 0.2gSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 2.9gFiber: 1.8gProtein: 1g

Can you add cocoa powder to cold brew coffee?

You can add cocoa powder to your cold brew coffee before steeping it.

The cocoa powder will slowly leave a chocolatey flavor to the robust cold brew coffee. Use 1 tbsp (7 grams) per 34 ounces (1 liter) of cold brew coffee.

You can follow the steps below if you want to give this a try:

  1. Coarsely grind the coffee beans of your choice; you can check out my recommended coffee beans for cold brew here.
  2. Add the ground coffee to a French press or your cold brew maker.
  3. Sprinkle the cocoa powder onto the ground coffee and give it a quick stir to combine.
  4. Top it with the water.
  5. Stir the mixture and cover to let it steep.
  6. After steeping, you can filter it just as you would any other cold brew.

As you can see, it's easy to make a different-flavored cold brew with just 1 tablespoon of cocoa powder.

If you find that the flavor needs to be a bit stronger after tasting the cold brew, you can add more the next time around.

Optionally, you can heat a small amount of cold brew and stir in some cocoa powder to create a paste (follow the same steps as listed in the recipe card).

Then, add your preferred amount of cold brew coffee to the mixture and finish it as desired.

You can learn how to heat cold brew coffee by checking out this interesting article.

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More coffee add-ins to try

Ready to upgrade your daily coffee?

Here are some coffee add-ins to try today:

And for even more options, check out the coffee add-ins hub here!

Conclusion

After reading this article, I hope you'll try adding cocoa powder to your coffee!

It's a great way to enjoy a different-tasting coffee every day, and the best part is that you can use any brewing technique to make coffee with cocoa powder.

And if chocolate isn't your thing, feel free to experiment with different flavors like cinnamon or vanilla; the possibilities are endless!

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Jeffrey is a former Chef turned coffee educator. He applies culinary precision to home brewing, testing every recipe and bean in his own kitchen to prove you don't need expensive equipment to make a world-class cup.

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