I’m addicted to my coffee…that first sweet sip in the morning…especially if it’s quiet (kids still asleep or already in school)…it’s certainly one of my favorite moments in the day.

I do enjoy cappuccinos, lattes, Turkish coffee and Arabic coffee…but not so crazy about espresso or americano. However my absolute favorite is French coffee. Now for many who don’t live in Kuwait, you may assume that French coffee is a French ‘thing’…but I assure you that no French person has ever heard of our version of French coffee. The mastermind behind this coffee ‘blend’ made by mixing Turkish coffee with some type of powdered creamer remains anonymous, however I believe both International Mill and AlRifai lay claim to it’s creation.

I grew addicted over the years to this “French” coffee….so much so that I would have 3 a day! I would have heart palpitations and didn’t like that I had no clue what was in the mix. I started making it myself at home adapting and ‘healthifying’ it over the years. For a time I made it with soy milk powder, but I also wanted to stop using anything processed.  I’ve now found my own ‘blend’ that doesn’t have any creamer and closer in taste to Greek coffee than either Turkish or “French”. I’ve made it healthier by mixing organic decaf with a coffee alternative such as chicory or barley, cocoa powder and ground cardamom.

There’s been a lot of debate about whether coffee is considered healthy or not. It definitely has it’s positives and negatives, and if you drink it in moderation you can avoid the negative effect of caffeine which can be quite addictive, while still benefiting from the high amounts of antioxidants in coffee, as well as protecting the liver thanks to it’s effect on increasing blood circulation.

Pure cocoa has been given superfood status thanks to its rich mineral content, just make sure to use a high quality unsweetened cocoa powder. Cardamom is also amazing for digestion and detoxification. Both barley and chicory can help keep your teeth healthy as both contain ingredients that inhibit the growth of cavity causing bacteria. If you’re using barley keep in mind that it does contain gluten. So if you have a gluten sensitivity it’s best to use chicory coffee.

If you’re a Turkish or espresso drinker I think you would enjoy this blend…especially if you enjoy the taste of coffee but want less caffeine. You can certainly still use regular coffee instead of decaf, and it would still be less caffeine thanks to the coffee alternative and cocoa powder. I love adding cardamom to my coffee, but you can certainly use cinnamon instead if you prefer, or just leave it out entirely.

As always, I would love to hear from you if you try making it. Please leave your comments below, and share your pics with me on snapchat or instagram @ilovecrumbs.