Transform Your Morning Coffee into a Protein-Packed Powerhouse

Whether it’s regarding the flavor profile, like boosting the flavor of espresso, or adding some extra nutritional value, it’s common for the everyday coffee drinker to make the most out of their cup of joe. Indeed, there’s a way to do both by mixing in collagen, beef gelatin, and protein powder into that next morning cup. Each has its benefits, and while protein may be a major player here, it’s not the only reason to consider these additions. Protein powder would be a way to pack some muscle fuel with the jolt of caffeine, along with introducing new flavor dimensions. However, collagen and beef gelatin could do the same while assisting with other bodily functions, though these don’t affect the flavor as much. Certainly, the body can produce each of these additions on its own, but sometimes it needs a way to supplement them when one’s diet is deficient.



The most beneficial of them may be beef gelatin. It’s a bump of about 9 grams per tablespoon of pure protein (which means its protein level is considerably higher than its carbohydrate and fat content) that comes with essential amino acids like glycine, hydroxyproline, and proline. These are important in helping anyone living with stiff joints and digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome. Typically, beef gelatin is a flavorless powder that thickens recipes like smoothies, sauces, and stews. Similarly, adding it to coffee would provide a silky nutritional boost without altering the flavor. The catch is that beef gelatin must be “bloomed” by mixing it with cold water before adding it to anything. This helps significantly in softening the gelatin, so it melds into the coffee without leaving lumps behind. 

Maximizing your mornings with collagen and protein powder

Collagen is another nutrient that could help bring in some extra body power. A 14-gram serving carries around 12 grams of protein, contains eight of the nine essential amino acids, and could help in strengthening bones, assisting with joint function, and improving skin, nail, and hair health. As a supplement, collagen can come with or without flavors. Here, anyone not wanting to alter the coffee in this way would just opt for the latter. However, collagen could thicken coffee’s texture, so just be mindful of this when adding it in, and if need be, use a battery-powered frother for mixing. Thankfully, it doesn’t need to be prepared before mixing with hot java like beef gelatin. However, collagen should be mixed with hot water before being poured into an iced or cold brew coffee to avoid any lumpiness.

Of course, if maximizing the protein content of coffee is the goal, a scoop of protein powder is the right move. While it will vary depending on the brand, one scoop of powder will deliver between 20 to 30 grams of protein. On top of being an easy way to recover and energize muscles, a scoop of vanilla protein powder could help anyone wanting to curb midday snacking. However, aside from altering the taste, there’s a chance it could make the coffee’s texture gritty and lumpy, so it’s important to pick a protein powder that dissolves well with a flavor you like. Additionally, you could use a blender or battery-powered frother to eliminate any lumps.