Midnight AeroPress Latte

Get ready to elevate your coffee experience with a refreshing twist: an iced activated charcoal latte brewed to perfection using the ever-so-versatile AeroPress. This visually striking drink not only captivates with its stunning black hue but also tastes amazing with its smooth and velvety texture and its perfectly balanced sweetness. Activated charcoal, renowned for its detoxifying properties, adds a unique depth to the latte while maintaining a delightfully creamy consistency. 

What is activated charcoal and what are some of its potential health benefits?

Activated charcoal is a finely powdered form of carbon that’s been treated to increase its adsorption properties. It's produced by heating carbon-rich materials, such as wood, coconut shells, or peat, to very high temperatures. The activation process creates a highly porous surface area, that hypothetically allows the charcoal more effectively trap and remove toxins and impurities from the body. Advocates claim activated charcoal can aid in detoxification, alleviate gas and bloating, and even support kidney function by removing waste products from the bloodstream.

What are the ingredients needed for an activated charcoal Midnight AeroPress Latte?

To make the Midnight AeroPress Latte we will need a few ingredients.

• Coffee. We will need 20 grams of coffee ideally ground for espresso. We will be making an espresso-style coffee with the AeroPress, so we need the coffee ground very fine.
• Water for brewing the coffee.
• Activated charcoal. We’ll be using a very small amount of activated charcoal, but it is the key ingredient to give our drink the dark and stormy look we want.
• Sweetener. I am using vanilla syrup in this recipe, but you could use any syrup or sweetener you want. You can also choose to leave off the sweetener if you prefer.
• Sea salt. Salt in a latte? Yes! You won’t taste the saltiness with just a pinch, but it does give the drink some added complexity.
• Milk of choice. I am using whole milk in the recipe, but any milk will do. Using whole milk or oat milk will lead to the creamiest final drink though.
• Heavy cream & vanilla syrup. I top the drink with a simple homemade sweet cream. To make your own you will need heavy cream and some sort of sweetener. I find vanilla syrup works best, but honey, maple syrup or even just white sugar can work.

What coffee works best for a Midnight AeroPress Latte?

You can really use any coffee for this drink. The activated charcoal doesn’t impart any strong flavor qualities, so the main flavor components you are adding are the milk and any sweetener you include. Many times I use more balanced and chocolate-toned coffees that pair nicely with milk for my lattes. For this drink though, I went a bit crazy and used an anaerobic-washed Ecuadorian coffee from Counter Culture Coffee. It has wonderful citrus and tropical fruit notes that create some lovely contrast with the creamy milk and charcoal.

How to make an activated charcoal Midnight AeroPress Latte

Step 1: Brew the coffee

Begin by making an espresso-style coffee in the AeroPress. Prepare the AeroPress for brewing in the upright position. Ideally use the AeroPress Flow Control Filter Cap, if available. Grind 20 grams of coffee to near espresso fineness and add to the AeroPress chamber. Add 110g of near-boiling water to the AeroPress chamber and stir back & forth aggressively. Set aside to brew for around 2 minutes.

After the coffee brews, slowly push down on the AeroPress plunger over 30-45 seconds.

Step 2: Blend the ingredients

Next, add the brewed coffee, activated charcoal, vanilla syrup, salt & milk into a blender. Blend until the mixture is well combined. Note that the activated charcoal has a tendency to sink to the bottom, so it is best to blend right before you are ready to assemble the drink.

Step 3: Make the sweet cream

In a separate bowl, add the whipping heavy cream and vanilla syrup together. Lightly whip together to cream the two together without overly frothing the cream.

Step 4: Assemble the drink

Add ice to a glass and pour on the combined drink from the blender. Slowly pour the vanilla sweet cream on top. Give the drink a stir and enjoy!

Conclusion

Whether you're drawn to its striking appearance, curious about its potential health benefits, or simply looking for a refreshing twist on your daily coffee fix, the iced activated charcoal latte brewed with the AeroPress is sure to satisfy your cravings. With its smooth taste, detoxifying properties, and eye-catching black hue, this unconventional beverage is a must-try for any adventurous coffee enthusiast.

So grab your AeroPress, embrace the intrigue, and try out this fun and different Midnight AeroPress Latte!