The Virtues of Instant Espresso Powder is a discussion of various ways to use instant espresso powder, especially in desserts.
One of my readers recently asked what flavorings I like to add to my homemade Greek yogurt. This question brought to mind one of my favorite “secret ingredients” as Ina Garten of Barefoot Contessa calls them on her show. Instant Espresso Coffee by Medaglia D’oro.
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Why instant espresso powder is one of my secret ingredients
The fine texture of the coffee granules means it will dissolve quickly and entirely without heating in a liquid as long as there is enough moisture. When combined with chocolate, it intensifies the chocolate flavor without a distinctive flavor of its own.
Adding it to recipes
I use it in my Coffee Ice Cream and Emergency Brownies. It’s also good added to just about any chocolate chip cookie recipe–a teaspoon or so. Try it in a smoothie with yogurt and crushed ice.
After vanilla and almond, coffee is probably my favorite flavor to add to yogurt. Along with the coffee, of course, I use sugar-free Torani syrup to balance the bitterness of the coffee.
Where can I buy it?
I buy it at my local supermarket–in the coffee section, but it’s also available from Amazon.
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Claudia
I love all your ideas for yogurt. I was introduced to making my own yogurt a couple years ago, and in the crock pot. I also love your flavoring ideas and can’t wait to try them. And I have to know, where do you get the strainer that you use? I’ve been using coffee filters, but it is messy, as they are not nearly big enough. I do have one of those gold coffee filters, that is fine mesh, and even though it is small, I’m thinking that may work, though I can’t find it right now. 🙁
Thank you! Claudia
Paula
Claudia,
It just so happens that I’m going to put a post about my beloved strainer this weekend. Watch for it. Meanwhile, you can read some about it here.
Kaki
How do you get the espresso powder to completely dissolve? blender? Love this idea & bought the espresso yesterday!
Jessica
Such a great idea – I love my instant espresso powder too, and this is a great way to use it.
danielle
looks wonderful.
i looove coffee flavor but hate coffee.
go figure!
Christine
What a beautiful blog! I will follow.
scooter
Paula,
I have eaten greek yogurt every day since you introduced it to me ( and since I found the 0% fat one). I love to add different flavorings. Just in case you don’t know about davincigourmet.com/
I thought I would share. They have tons of sugar free flavorings and I love adding different ones to my protein drinks and yogurt. My favorites are german chocolate cake and toasted marshmallow. I also like the white chocolate and pumpkin pie but you can get that same flavor with sugar free white chocolate instant pudding or pumpkin pie spice. Check it out.
Romaine
Damjana, I have to use some kind of sweetener. My favorite is Torani Sugar-Free syrup. (I’m not afraid of Splenda.) But of course, sugar or honey would be delicious.
Damjana
Wow, that’s amazing! I love coffee flavour as well. My only try to make coffee flavoured yoghurt by mixing instant coffee powder with yoghurt failed – the yoghurt turned out unpleasantly sour, I guess I used too much coffee powder for that small quantity of yoghurt. Anyway, I’ll give it another try. This last one with chocolate is just..wonderful.