The Reason You Should Start Adding Ginger To Your Coffee

When it comes to the health benefits of coffee, some claims are hopeful thinking and others far from proven. But adding one of nature's well-known superstars to your daily caffeine can justify that gotta-have-it feeling. Are we talking about cinnamon, vanilla, or even cardamon? Nope. It's the humble yet spicy ginger root bursting into your morning or afternoon caffeine ritual.

Ginger, scientifically known as Zingiber officinale, can infuse your steaming cup of coffee with several health benefits. WebMD notes that the spice pulled from ginger roots is chockfull of natural chemicals that could alleviate nausea. It seems to work its magic through your stomach and intestines or on the brain and nervous system. The Saudi Medicine Journal recognizes ginger for its ability to help lower cholesterol, as noted in a study published by the National Institute of Health (NIH). The study concluded that ginger significantly lowered lipids in clinical-trial participants.

Knowing that ginger can have positive health effects doesn't mean much unless you successfully marry it to your morning java. SciTechDaily notes that ginger tends to resist that union more than other spices, but it's worth the effort. Pure powdered ginger is the quickest and easiest way to sprinkle that spicy goodness into a mug, but a teaspoon of freshly grated ginger root can create a better flavor infusion and potentially more health benefits.

With some extra time and patience, you can create an exotic ginger-java treat for an afternoon break or happy-hour treat. A favorite Yemini hot drink known as qishr involves mixing ginger powder with extra-fine ground coffee, water, and sugar. But Spruce Eats cautions that it's a labor of love involving bringing the mixture to a boil twice. Recipe concoctions for qishr vary, but Spruce Eats recommends using 1 cup of water, 6 teaspoons of ground coffee, 4 teaspoons of sugar, and 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of ground ginger, and then serving it in small espresso cups (known as Finjaan in Arabic). Some people prefer adding milk and spices such as cardamom or allspice for extra creamy flavor.