FOOD NEWS
Coffee Is The Unanticipated Boost Your Burgers Have Been Missing
BY STEPHANIE FRIEDMAN
Many know that coffee grounds can be used to amplify chocolatey desserts, but it may be a surprise to learn that they can also do wonders for your favorite hamburger recipe.
Coffee is often added to barbecue sauces, and adding it to burger meat creates a similar effect: it brings an earthy, smoky, slightly bitter flavor to balance the sweeter elements.
Additionally, because of coffee's tannins, coffee can actually tenderize your beef and lock in moisture, and the acids help bring out the flavor of the meat.
To incorporate brewed coffee, make sure it's fully cool before you begin. Then, simply mix it in with your meat and spices when creating patties.
The more common way to use coffee, however, is to make a rub with the grounds and a variety of spices and seasonings, such as salt, pepper, oregano, coriander, and paprika.
For a little complementary sweetness reminiscent of the aforementioned barbecue sauce, add in some brown sugar. You can also try using a small amount of espresso powder.
Unlike with brewed coffee, the rub should be added after you form the patties. Because of this, scale back on your other seasonings, since you'll be adding plenty with the rub.
After coating your patties with the rub, chill them uncovered in the fridge for about half an hour, which will help them stay together on the grill.