So, you had just gotten used to hearing people talk about putting almond milk in their coffee, and now you hear they’re plopping butter in there instead? Welcome to the world of Bulletproof® Coffee. The caffeinated craze has been sweeping the country, popping up in coffee shops coast to coast, while celebrities continue to down it in increasing numbers. Even our favorite Hudson Valley homeboy Jimmy Fallon has talked about it on The Tonight Show.
That’s because — believe it or not — proponents claim that adding butter, and usually a shot of coconut oil, to your cup of joe has health benefits. Bulletproof® Coffee was developed in 2010 by Dave Asprey, and his Silicon Valley-based company is hell bent on helping customers “supercharge your body and upgrade your brain.” The idea is that a cup of Bulletproof® Coffee will replace your breakfast, and much like following the Paleo diet, you’ll be energized, filled up, and ready to lose weight. Naysayers claim it’s way too high in saturated fats to be healthy. (Think of your cholesterol, folks!)
But good or bad, Bulletproof® has made its way to Bad Ass Coffee in Wappingers Falls. So, what’s the deal? Is this stuff any good? “I like it,” says John Ferrara, the owner of Bad Ass. “Not regularly, but once in a while. It’s a great boost of energy, and it’s a healthier form of drinking coffee than with cream and sugar.” Ferrara says he sells up to 100 cups of it per week.
Earlier this year, we hung out at Bad Ass for a couple of hours and gave customers a taste test to see what they thought of the drink. Our favorite reaction? “I’ll stick with yak milk,” said Fishkill’s Alexander Neil. (We gave him a $20 gift card for his witty response.) Find photos of everyone who tried our Bulletproof® Challenge here.
Home Brew
Want to try Bulletproof® Coffee at home? John Ferrara gave us his recipe for his version of the drink, called Buttercup. Simply take Bad Ass’ Kona Blend, heat it up, put it in a blender with one tablespoon of grassfed butter and one tablespoon of coconut oil, and voila! Asprey also has his own, original recipe; you can find it at www.bulletproofexec.com.