Coffee rub is a popular seasoning blend made by combining ground coffee with other herbs, spices, and ingredients. It is commonly used to season and crust meats before cooking. But does coffee rub actually taste like coffee? The short answer is – not exactly. While coffee is the main ingredient, the other added seasonings modify the overall flavor profile. However, the coffee still imparts some of its signature roasted, slightly bitter taste.
What is coffee rub?
Coffee rub gets its name from the main ingredient – ground coffee. The ground coffee used can be any variety – light roast, dark roast, espresso, etc. The coffee grounds are then blended with other dry ingredients like brown sugar, sea salt, black pepper, cinnamon, cumin, garlic powder, chili powder, cayenne pepper, and more. The specific spice blend can vary widely between recipes and commercial blends. The resulting mixture forms a coarse, dry rub that can coat and encrust meats.
Using coffee rub accomplishes two main things:
- The coffee adds flavor – its bitter, nutty, roasted taste comes through, though muted.
- The rub forms a crust when cooked – the coffee grounds help bind the rub mixture to the meat and form a crispy, flavorful exterior.
Coffee rubs pair especially well with beef, lamb, pork, chicken, and other meats like venison. The rub helps form a flavorful crust during grilling, broiling, roasting and pan-searing. The coffee complements the flavor of the meat without overpowering it. The additional spices round out the flavor profile.
Does it actually taste like coffee?
While the ground coffee used in coffee rubs adds some of its signature aroma and flavor, the overall taste is not quite like drinking a cup of black coffee. Here are a few reasons why:
- Whole vs. ground – Brewed coffee uses coarsely ground or whole beans steeped in hot water. Coffee rub uses very finely ground coffee.
- Additional ingredients – Spices, herbs, sugar, and salt are added to coffee rub. This modifies the overall flavor profile.
- Method of preparation – Coffee rub is applied to meats and cooked. The high heat alters the coffee’s taste.
- Quantity – Only a small amount of coffee rub is used to coat the meat. It does not have an overwhelming coffee flavor.
So while the ground coffee in coffee rub adds hints of its roasted, slightly acidic, and bitter taste, the overall flavor is more balanced with whatever spices are included in the blend. The meat also affects the flavor when cooked. So coffee rub delivers more of the general essence of coffee rather than a distinctly overpowering coffee flavor.
Taste testing coffee rub
To evaluate if coffee rub tastes like coffee, the best method is to simply taste test it:
- Obtain a coffee rub, either making a homemade blend or using a store-bought brand.
- Carefully examine its appearance and aroma. Note the coarse, dry texture and any visible coffee grounds. Note any aromas reminiscent of coffee.
- Taste a small amount of the rub directly. Pay attention to any bitter, acidic, nutty coffee flavors. Also note the contributions from sugar, salt, spices, etc.
- Cook a meat seasoned with the coffee rub. Try chicken, beef, pork, or lamb. Note how the flavors develop and meld during cooking.
- Focus on how prominent the taste and aroma of coffee comes through in the dish. Pay attention to coffee notes in each bite.
Tasting the rub before and after cooking will give you a good sense of how much it truly tastes like coffee once incorporated into a dish. The raw rub will likely have a stronger coffee prominence. But when cooked, those flavors may mellow and integrate more with the seasonings and meat.
Maximizing the coffee flavor
If you want to really maximize the coffee flavor in a coffee rub, there are a few tweaks you can make:
- Use a more strongly flavored coffee like a medium roast or French roast rather than a milder light roast.
- Increase the ratio of coffee grounds in the rub blend. 1 cup grounds for every 3 to 4 Tbsp other spices can impart more coffee taste.
- Limit the additional spices to let the coffee flavor shine. A simple blend of just coffee, salt, pepper, and brown sugar will maximize coffee.
- Use the rub on meats that complement coffee like steak, lamb chops, or beef ribs.
- Really press the rub into the meat before cooking to form a thick, coffee-flavored crust.
- Follow recipes that use a rub both underneath and on top of the meat for more coffee aroma and taste.
With the right recipe adjustments and techniques, you can definitely get coffee rub to impart a more intense coffee flavor to your grilled or roasted meats.
Coffee rub recipes
Here are 3 sample coffee rub recipes to give you an idea of the ingredient ratios and how to maximize coffee flavor:
Basic Coffee Rub
- 1 cup finely ground dark roast coffee
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1 tablespoon black pepper
This simple four ingredient rub really allows the coffee flavor to dominate. The coarse texture provides great crusting ability.
Southwestern Coffee Spice Rub
- 1/2 cup finely ground coffee
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons chili powder
- 1 tablespoon cumin
- 1 tablespoon paprika
- 2 teaspoons garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
This savory spice blend uses less coffee for a more balanced flavor. The cumin, garlic, paprika, and cayenne complement the coffee nicely.
Coffee-Cocoa Dry Rub
- 1/2 cup finely ground coffee
- 3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons kosher salt
- 1 teaspoon chipotle chili powder
The addition of cocoa powder gives this rub a delicious mocha flavor. The chipotle chili and brown sugar give it a touch of smoky sweetness.
What foods pair well with coffee rub?
While excellent on meats, coffee rub also pairs nicely with these foods:
Food | Why it Works |
---|---|
Steak | The robust coffee rub complements the rich flavor of beef |
Lamb chops | The slight gaminess of lamb is balanced by the coffee rub |
Pork ribs | The coffee rub adds a tasty crust and highlights pork’s savory juiciness |
Chicken wings | Coffee’s bitter notes offset fried and saucy chicken wings |
Duck breast | Coffee rub adds richness that pairs well with fatty duck |
Salmon | Coffee’s acidity counters salmon’s oiliness in a pleasant way |
Sweet potatoes | Coffee’s bitterness plays off the sweet potato’s natural sugars |
In general, coffee rub works well on red meats like beef and lamb, pork, chicken, fish like salmon, and some roasted vegetables. The coffee flavor balances out fat, enhances sweetness, and complements savory juiciness.
Should you grind your own coffee?
When making homemade coffee rub, you can use pre-ground coffee or freshly grind whole coffee beans. Here is a comparison:
Pre-ground coffee
- More convenient – No grinding required
- Consistent texture – Uniformly sized grounds
- Freshest flavor – If sealed, pre-ground maintains optimal freshness
- Better value – Pre-ground costs less than whole beans
Freshly ground coffee beans
- Maximizes flavor – Whole beans stay freshest until grinding
- Custom texture – Can grind as fine or coarse as needed
- More options – Can use preferred beans and roast
- Enhances aroma – Grinding releases oils for increased aroma
For most home cooks, pre-ground coffee works very well for coffee rubs. But freshly grinding beans right before making the rub can maximize freshness and allow you to customize the texture.
Common types of coffee used
These ground coffee varieties are commonly used to make coffee rubs:
- Dark roast – French, Italian, Espresso – Rich, smoky, bitter
- Medium roast – Full City, Breakfast Roast – Balanced, smooth, versatile
- Light roast – Cinnamon, New England – Brighter, fruity, acidic
Dark roasts are most popular because they impart the boldest coffee flavor. But medium roasts also work very well, offering complexity. Light roasts are less commonly used but can provide an interesting fruitier note.
Should you use flavored coffee?
Flavored coffee like vanilla, chocolate, or hazelnut can be used but may not be ideal for savory coffee rubs. Here’s why:
- The added flavors can clash with the other rub spices
- The flavor balance can become too sweet
- The pure coffee taste can get lost
- The rub may pair poorly with the protein or meal
However, there are some instances where flavored coffee may complement the rest of the rub ingredients. For example, a hint of chocolate could accent cocoa powder. Or vanilla may highlight other dessert-friendly spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. But in most cases, plain non-flavored coffee makes the best tasting savory rub.
Should you use decaf coffee?
Regular caffeinated coffee is recommended for coffee rubs. Here’s why:
- Caffeine adds a slightly bitter flavor that enhances coffee’s roastiness
- Decaf has a flat, muted coffee taste
- Decaf beans tend to be lower quality which impacts flavor
- The small amount of rub used makes caffeine consumption negligible
However, if you must avoid caffeine, using a high quality decaf coffee may still impart decent flavor to a rub. Opt for a decaf coffee that is water-processed rather than chemically decaffeinated. The flavor still won’t be as robust as regular coffee, but can work in a pinch.
Tips for making great coffee rub
Follow these tips for brewing delicious homemade coffee rub:
- Use very finely ground coffee for maximum crust forming ability
- Thoroughly blend dry ingredients so flavors are evenly distributed
- Store coffee rub in an airtight container away from light and moisture
- Rub generously over meats at least 30 minutes before cooking
- Pat rub onto meats first, then press in to maximize adherence
- Try adding an extra layer of rub just before finishing cooking
- Rest meats 5-10 minutes after cooking to allow flavors to fully develop
Taking steps to freshly grind beans, properly blend spices, and thoroughly coat meats will get the most out of your coffee and the other rub ingredients.
Conclusion
While coffee rub gets its deep, roasted flavor from coffee grounds, the full taste experience is more nuanced once blended with other spices and cooked on meat. The meat itself and additional seasonings modify the overall flavor profile. So coffee rub delivers a great coffee-infused taste, but stops short of replicating the exact flavor of a fresh brewed cup of joe. With the right recipe and cooking techniques, coffee rub can be an easy way to add complex coffee flavor to steaks, chops, chicken, and more.