Skip to main content
Coffee Guides

What Is Coffee with Butter Called?

Although the idea of drinking coffee with butter as a fitness trend emerged in the 2000s, the practice of mixing coffee with butter is a very old trend. So what is coffee with butter called? Today, coffee with butter is known as bulletproof coffee. Some people refer to it as keto coffee.

coffee with butter

How Old Is Coffee With Butter?

The earliest evidence of people consuming coffee with butter dates back to the ninth century in Ethiopia. Ethiopians and Tibetans were drinking yak milk coffee long before butter coffee became widespread.

Traditional variations of coffee with butter are still drunk in countries such as Singapore, Vietnam, and North India. In Tibet, farmers often drink a beverage known as po cha, which is made with yak butter and fermented black tea.

 

Today’s Coffee With Butter

Bulletproof coffee was first popularized by Dave Asprey in 2009. The drink is made by combining unsalted butter, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) oil, and black coffee. MCT oil is a type of oil sourced from palm kernel or coconut oil. It is digested rapidly, making it ideal for a keto diet.

Butter is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, vitamin A, and beta-carotene. Butter also contains vitamin B12, vitamin K, and vitamin E in small amounts. Grass-fed butter is richer in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants than regular butter.

 

Benefits of Coffee With Butter

Drinking coffee with butter may offer some health benefits, especially for individuals on a ketogenic diet.  A keto diet is a low-carb diet that makes the body break down stored protein and fat, a process known as ketosis. The diet helps in losing weight.

Individuals starting a keto diet may benefit significantly from MCT oil by reducing the time that the body takes to start burning protein and fat reserves rather than blood sugar reserves. Also, MCT oil reduces the symptoms experienced by individuals starting keto diet including constipation, fatigue, headaches, and nausea.

Drinking bulletproof coffee creates a feeling of fullness due to the high fat content in the drink. However, individuals drinking coffee with butter should observe their daily calorie intake to ensure they do not exceed the recommended amount.

bulletproof coffee

Potential Risks of Coffee with Butter

Coffee with butter is safe for most individuals. When added to an individual’s diet, MCT oil does not show any significant health risks. However, coffee with butter has a very high fat content, which makes it less ideal for individuals concerned with weight gain.

The high amounts of calories and saturated fat in butter coffee can cause weight gain and health issues related to obesity. Besides, a keto diet is not ideal for everyone. You should consult your doctor before starting a keto diet for advice on whether it is good for you.

Although bulletproof coffee is a good source of antioxidants, its high calorie content and saturated fat level may derail some diets. The high fat content in coffee with butter makes some nutritionists shy away from recommending it as a healthy drink. Also, keto diet lacks numerous nutrients that are found in whole foods. Eventually, it may increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Mayo Clinic recommends that individuals who drink coffee with butter should balance it by eating extra protein and fruit. Also, those drinking coffee with butter should reduce their calorie intake from other sources and exercise more.

 

Final Thoughts

So what is coffee with butter called today? In summary, coffee with butter is known as bulletproof coffee. Although drinking coffee with butter has been a favorite drink for some people for many years, today’s version that is known as bulletproof coffee has only been around since the late 2000s.

Despite attracting renewed interest from the fitness and lifestyle sector, it is not yet a mainstream drink. It is hard to come by this coffee. Also, many people are put off by the high fat and calorie levels of this drink. Besides, some people find combining coffee and butter unusual. Regardless, coffee with butter remains popular among certain demographics and groups.

 

Related Article:

Why Do People Put Butter in Their Coffee?