Kahlúa, a famous coffee liqueur brand, is a caffeinated alcoholic drink made from a combination of rum, sugar, and arabica coffee. This sweet concoction was first produced in Mexico during the mid-1930s and continues to be enjoyed and used today for making cocktails and desserts.
The flavor of this liqueur, which is so widely adored and consumed, can also be enjoyed by brewing a cup of Kahlúa coffee. This coffee brand, which can be purchased online and in stores, is available in several varieties and flavors.
When hearing about this brand of coffee, a few questions might come to mind. People may wonder if there is alcohol in this coffee or how strong it is. In this article, we will explore these questions, discussing Kahlúa coffee and all it has to offer.
It’s All About the Bean
Kahlúa coffee is made from 100% arabica beans grown and hand-picked in Veracruz, Mexico. The brew from these beans delivers a smooth and bold cup of coffee enhanced with subtle hints of rum, vanilla, and caramel flavors.
Although the company does not sell the coffee directly, it does have licensing partnerships with companies like Keurig. It is Keurig that produces pods of Kahlúa coffee. Kahlúa ground coffee, which is a medium-roast blend, is processed and packaged by a company called White Coffee Corporation.
White Coffee Corp.
The company that roasts the arabica beans and sells the Kahlúa coffee is a family-owned business run in New York. White Coffee Corp. has been importing coffee beans and selling coffee since 1939. Aside from Kahlúa coffee, they also sell several other brands of coffee and hot chocolate. Some of these brands include Jim Beam, Harry & David, and Tortuga.
“Coffee For Good” Plan
In 2016, the company embarked on an ambitious ten-year project to establish four coffee-growing villages in Veracruz. The ultimate goal of this project was for these villages to be able to produce all the coffee the Kahlúa brand required.
As of 2022, after only six years, the company successfully completed the “Coffee for Good” project. On top of the four coffee-producing villages, they have also planted 213,000 new coffee plants and trained 704 farmers to use sustainable farming techniques.
Caffeine & Alcohol
Although this brand of coffee shares its name with coffee liqueur, it’s non-alcoholic. Being made from arabica coffee beans, however, it is caffeinated. Since it’s difficult to pinpoint the amount of caffeine present in one serving of Kahlúa coffee, an educated guess can be made based on the type of coffee beans used.
Just one arabica coffee bean is estimated to contain 1.9 milligrams of caffeine. When looking at an 8 oz serving of freshly brewed coffee, it can contain anywhere from 80 milligrams to 100 milligrams of caffeine.
Coffee made with arabica coffee beans tends to come in closer to 100 milligrams per serving. This of course can vary depending on the brewing method and how much coffee is used.
Brewing Kahlúa Coffee
The brewing instructions for this brand of coffee can be found directly on the package and it couldn’t be easier. The company suggests that 2 heaping tablespoons of coffee be used for every 6 oz of water. It should be noted that these instructions are for a drip-style coffee maker.
- Load up the filter basket with the measured-out coffee grounds.
- Place the measured water into the reservoir and turn on the machine to start the brewing process.When the coffee maker is finished, the delicious coffee is brewed and can be enjoyed black or customized with add-ins to your liking.
Varieties
Aside from the original flavor, Kahlúa coffee can be purchased in eight other varieties. These flavors include:
- White Russian
- Salted Caramel
- Mudslide
- Black Russian
- Mocha
- Peppermint Mocha
- Hazelnut
- French Vanilla
As with the original flavor, these other varieties are non-alcoholic. They offer great-tasting alternatives for those who love to experiment and enjoy flavored coffee. They are also all made with 100% arabica beans.
Nutritional Facts
One 8 oz serving of 100% arabica coffee contains less than five calories and zero carbs, fats, and proteins. This is only true, however, if you are enjoying this coffee black. Adding dairy, non-dairy products, and sweeteners of any kind can alter these values.
Kahlúa Coffee Concoctions
Some people love to use Kahlúa ground coffee as an ingredient to create a hot cocktail or to make a decadent dessert drink. For this recipe, you will need ground Kahlúa coffee, a coffee pot (or other appliance to brew coffee), Kahlúa liqueur, a coffee mug, and optional milk and/or whipped cream.
- Brew a fresh cup of Kahlúa coffee. If you are feeling adventurous, try this recipe with one of the flavored ground Kahlúa coffees.
- While the coffee is brewing, pour one shot of Kahlúa liqueur into a coffee mug.
- When the coffee is done brewing, fill up your coffee mug by pouring the coffee directly on top of the liqueur. Stir gently to mix both ingredients together.
- To top off the mug, you can add a bit of milk to taste. You can also top this dessert cocktail with whipped cream. These steps, of course, are optional as it can also be enjoyed black.
Kahlúa Coffee
Kahlúa, a popular coffee-flavored liqueur produced in the 1930s, is a sweet and delicious concoction that has been used to create a variety of cocktails and enhance desserts for decades.
The flavor continues to be sought-after today. Its taste is admired so much that now it can be enjoyed as a fresh cup of brewed coffee.
Medium-roast Kahlúa coffee, made from 100% arabica beans that have been hand-picked in Mexico, is non-alcoholic.
Offering coffee lovers a flavor profile similar to the liqueur, it is said to be smooth and bold with subtle notes of rum, vanilla, and caramel flavors.
It also contains the same amount of caffeine as other medium-roast coffees, providing that boost so many people look for when enjoying a fresh cup of joe.
