There’s coffee. And then there’s coffee with… butter, mushrooms, cheese, or actual charcoal.
Somewhere along the way, people stopped just adding milk and sugar and started treating their cup like a chemistry experiment.
And weirdly, a lot of these “what were they thinking” combos actually taste… kind of great. Or at least interesting enough to keep drinking.
Let’s look at some of the strangest things people put in coffee, and why they keep coming back for more.
Charcoal: For When You Want Your Coffee Jet Black and Vaguely Medicinal
Charcoal in coffee sounds like something you’d order at a vampire café, but it’s become a full-blown trend. Activated charcoal is added to coffee drinks to give them an inky black color and a supposed detoxifying edge. Is it healthy? Depends who you ask. Does it look cool on Instagram? 100%.
Taste-wise, it’s kind of earthy with a hint of burnt toast, not as weird as you’d expect, especially when paired with something creamy or sweet.
We won’t get too technical here, but if you want to know what it actually does, how safe it is, and whether the trend’s worth the hype, check out this honest breakdown: What Is Charcoal Coffee?
Butter or MCT Oil: The Original Biohacker Brew
Butter coffee hit the mainstream a few years ago thanks to the Bulletproof Coffee crowd. It’s exactly what it sounds like, hot coffee blended with unsalted butter and sometimes MCT oil (a type of fat derived from coconut oil). The idea? More stable energy, no crash, and a creamy latte-like feel without the carbs.
Some people swear by it. Others say it tastes like someone poured hot coffee over movie popcorn. It’s not for everyone, but it is popular, especially with keto and intermittent fasting fans.
But hold up: does butter coffee break your fast?
Here’s the deal: not all coffee is fasting-safe.
Black coffee? Usually fine. But once you start adding fats or flavors, it gets a little fuzzy. Best to check before you blend if you’re aiming to stay in a fasted state.
Mushroom Powder: More Focus, Less Jitters?
This one’s not about trippy mushrooms. We’re talking lion’s mane, chaga, cordyceps, the functional fungi that have somehow found their way into your cup.
They’re often blended with instant coffee or espresso powder and sold as a productivity booster. Supposedly, you get the benefits of focus and immunity support, without the caffeine crash. The taste? Earthy. Very earthy. But it’s grown on people.
If you’re the type who tracks your heart rate with an app, mushroom coffee might already be in your rotation.
Collagen: For Skin That Glows and Joints That Don’t Creak
Collagen in coffee is popular with wellness types who want their morning cup to multitask. Usually flavorless, it dissolves right into hot coffee and adds a bit of protein. Great for hair, skin, and joints, at least according to beauty blogs and supplement companies.
If you can get past the idea of drinking boiled connective tissue, it’s pretty harmless. Some people say it makes their coffee smoother. Others just appreciate that they can skip the post-gym shake.
Cheese: Wait, What?
In Finland, people drink coffee with cheese cubes floating in it. It’s called kaffeost, and the cheese used is called Leipäjuusto, a squeaky, spongy cheese that soaks up the hot brew like a caffeine sponge.
You drink the coffee and then eat the warm, coffee-soaked cheese bits at the end. It sounds wrong but is oddly comforting. Like dipping a grilled cheese into your soup, just colder and more Scandinavian.
Tonic Water: The Fizzy Summer Fix
Espresso + tonic water = surprisingly refreshing. The bitter bite of tonic balances the acidity of espresso, and the bubbles make it feel more like a fancy cocktail than a caffeine delivery system.
Some cafes add lime or orange zest to really take it up a notch. Just don’t pour the espresso first, unless you like cleaning up geysers.
Coconut Water: Your Coffee, but Hydrated
In the hot parts of Southeast Asia, it’s not unusual to see coconut water mixed with coffee. Cold brew over coconut water sounds weird at first, but it’s sweet, nutty, and surprisingly smooth. Plus, hydration bonus.
If you’re trying to cut back on sugary syrups or milk, coconut water might be the plot twist your cold brew needs.
Citrus or Orange Peel: For That Fancy Touch
You’ll see this one in espresso tonics or fancier pour-over bars. A twist of orange peel or a dash of lemon juice adds brightness to the cup and cuts through bitterness.
Pro tip: Don’t go overboard unless you want your coffee to taste like cleaning spray. But done right? It’s next-level refreshing.
Why Do People Keep Adding Weird Stuff to Coffee?
Simple answer: curiosity. Slightly longer answer: everyone’s looking for their thing. Some people chase performance. Others chase flavor. And let’s be honest, some are chasing likes.
The point is, coffee isn’t just a drink anymore. It’s a ritual, a statement, and occasionally, a science project.
Final Sip
Not every weird coffee trend sticks. But the ones that do? They say something about how we want our coffee to do more, whether that’s giving us more energy, better skin, fewer jitters, or just something new to talk about.
So whether you’re adding butter, mushrooms, collagen, or charcoal to your next cup, just make sure you know what you’re getting into, especially if you’re fasting. This guide breaks it down if you’re not sure what’s safe and what’ll break the fast.
And hey, even if it’s weird… it might be your new favorite.
