Vitality coconut and shatavari latte

Let’s talk about lattes

Flat white, cappuccino, latte… there are so many ways to have coffee with milk that it’s easy to get confused! So, before talking about how to make this shatavari and coconut latte recipe, let’s explain what a latte is.

A caffe latte is a combination of espresso and steamed milk, with a thin layer of foamed milk on top. You can serve it in a glass or a cup, and baristas often skilfully decorate the drink with latte art. A cappuccino has more frothed milk than a latte, while a flat white has less milk. This is why a flat white usually comes in a smaller size than a coconut milk latte.

People have been mixing milk with coffee for generations, so it’s hard to identify who invented the latte and when. Some say it originated in Italy in the 17th century, although the term itself was coined in the 1860s. Historians credit Luigi Bezzera and Desiderio Pavoni with creating the first espresso machine with a steam wand. This allowed baristas to heat and texture milk for lattes. However, we have the US to thank for the drink’s modern incarnation.

While we don’t know who created the concept of latte art, it was baristas in Seattle who made it mainstream. They used the textured milk to paint patterns in the crema (espresso foam) on top of the coffee. Thanks to their influence, every time you order a coconut milk latte, it’s likely to come topped with a heart, leaf, or similar design.

Yet it’s not only the taste and appearance we love about coconut milk latte recipes. It’s also the drink’s potential health benefits.

Coffee: a genuinely impressive drink

Whether you have it black or in a coconut milk latte, drinking coffee can enhance your wellbeing in several ways. Perhaps the most well-known benefit is that it fights fatigue thanks to the caffeine it contains. This acts as a stimulant, increasing your energy levels and helping you to feel more alert. As such, coffee has the potential to boost both your physical performance and mental performance.(1)

Improving your cognition isn’t the only way a coconut milk latte can be good for your brain and mental health. For example, studies have found that people who consume the drink have a lower risk of depression.(2) What's more, it may help to protect against neurodegenerative disorders – such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease – and cognitive decline.(3) However, further investigation is necessary to clarify these findings.

Interestingly, a coconut milk latte could be beneficial for the heart too. Research links consuming the beverage with a reduced risk of conditions like cardiovascular disease, heart failure, and stroke.(4) The one caveat to this is that caffeine may raise blood pressure. You should therefore speak to a doctor before starting to drink coffee if you have hypertension or a heart condition.

Thanks to its caffeine content, coffee might also assist with weight management. This is because it can both increase your metabolic rate and decrease fat storage, lessening the likelihood of obesity.(5) Moreover, drinking coffee regularly could lower the risk of type 2 diabetes due to its positive influence on inflammation, oxidative stress, and insulin sensitivity.(6) Of course, to get these benefits, we advise against adding too much sugar or cream to your coconut milk latte!

Is a coconut latte suitable for everyone?

Just a quick side note before we talk about the specifics of this coconut milk latte recipe. While most people can safely drink coffee in moderation, it’s advisable to limit caffeine intake if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding. Even if that doesn’t apply to you, you might find consuming too much caffeine negatively impacts your sleep and/or anxiety levels. Don’t worry though – there’s always the option to make a decaf version!

Why a coconut latte is a fantastic choice

Naturally, coconut milk is a vital ingredient in this coconut milk latte recipe. And in addition to bringing a gorgeous flavour to the drink, it adds some extra potential wellness benefits. Made by mixing coconut flesh with water, it’s a good source of certain vitamins and minerals. These include manganese, iron, copper, magnesium, and potassium – all of which have key roles to play in keeping us healthy.

Just like coffee, coconut milk could have a positive influence on heart health. One reason for this is that minerals such as potassium can lower blood pressure. This is advantageous because hypertension damages not only the heart but also the brain, eyes, and kidneys. Studies have additionally found that coconut milk may decrease levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterol while increasing ‘good’ HDL cholesterol.(7) So there are several reasons why a coconut milk latte might help to support your cardiovascular health!

Moreover, coconut milk is rich in fats known as medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), such as lauric acid. Despite being fats, these may actually aid in healthy weight management. Studies have found that MCTs can decrease appetite and boost fat burning.(8) Such findings indicate that coconut oil might be able to reduce belly fat and waist circumference.(9) However, further investigation is required to say exactly how useful a coconut milk latte is for weight loss.

Focusing in on lauric acid specifically, this MCT may have anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and antiviral properties.(10) As such, it could help to support the immune system and protect us from viruses and infections. That’s a great reason to treat yourself to a coconut milk latte when there’s a cold going around!

How to make this shatavari and coconut milk latte recipe

Ok, we’ve talked enough about the benefits of a coconut milk latte – let’s look at how to brew one. Start by taking your 250ml of coconut milk and warming it in a pan. We recommend putting it on a low heat for about two or three minutes. You can adjust the amount you use if you want to alter the number or size of drinks you make.

Take the milk off the heat and mix in a teaspoon of coconut sugar. We’ve chosen this not only to complement the coconut milk, but also because it’s healthier than using refined sugar. Feel free to use a little more or little less depending on how sweet you want your coconut milk latte. Alternatively, you could opt for a liquid sweetener like agave nectar or maple syrup instead.

Next, sprinkle in a teaspoon of organic shatavari powder. You’ll find out more about this unique ingredient below! Pour half a teaspoon of vanilla extract into the mixture and then your espresso shots. Again, you can modify the amount of coffee depending on how strong you’d like your coconut milk latte to be. Stir the drink until the sugar and shatavari are completely dissolved, then pour it into serving glasses.

Finally, top each coconut milk latte with a curve of orange peel. This gives the drink a splash of colour and a hint of zesty citrus. With that, you’re ready to enjoy it. We suggest sipping your shatavari and coconut milk latte straight away, so it doesn't get cold. And if you want a serving suggestion, personally, we love having it with a delicious slice of cake!

The wellness benefits of shatavari

In our opinion, it’s the shatavari that really sets this drink apart from other coconut milk latte recipes. The herb is from the same family as asparagus and has been a key part of Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. And today, scientific research is finding evidence to support its use in certain areas of wellbeing.

Many of the benefits of shatavari relate to women’s health. Studies have discovered that it may help with hormonal imbalances and conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).(11) What’s more, the plant is rich in phytoestrogens, which means it could ease menopausal symptoms like hot flushes and insomnia.(12) Although, if you want to take shatavari before bed, we recommend a decaf coconut milk latte instead!

Turning to broader benefits, adding shatavari to your coconut milk latte could have a positive effect on your mental health. The herb contains steroidal saponins with adaptogenic qualities. Adaptogens help us cope with stress more effectively, reducing its negative impacts on the mind and body. In addition, early findings suggest that shatavari may alleviate depression and anxiety.(13) This is thanks to its effects on serotonin and the neurotransmitter gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).

While research into shatavari is still in its infancy, there are several other potential benefits that look promising. For instance, it might help support immunity by boosting the number of specific types of immune cells in the body.(14) The plant could also assist with blood sugar management. Animal studies suggest shatavari can stimulate the secretion and production of insulin, a hormone which helps balance blood glucose levels.(15) Having said that, don’t use this as an excuse to add more sugar to your shatavari and coconut milk latte!

Introducing our organic shatavari powder

If you want the best chance of enjoying the above benefits of shatavari, choosing a quality product is crucial. That’s why we source ours directly from sustainable farms in India, where people have been using the herb for generations. Our producers use their expertise to cultivate the very finest plants through strictly organic techniques. They then harvest the shatavari, carefully dry the roots in small batches, and mill them into a fine powder.

So, how do you know our organic shatavari powder is worthy of inclusion in your coconut milk latte? First, an independent, accredited laboratory tests it to confirm the powder is free of contaminants like heavy metals. Second, we don’t add in any filler ingredients, such as artificial flavourings, preservatives, or bulking agents. What you receive from us is 100% pure shatavari. We ship it to you in environmentally friendly amber glass jars to keep it fresh and minimise our impact on the planet. Please recycle yours once it’s empty!

Shatavari has a mildly sweet taste, with notes of astringency and earthiness. This makes it perfect for a coconut milk latte. However, you have many other delicious ways to take it. For instance, try adding a spoonful to your favourite smoothie recipe or sprinkling it over a breakfast bowl. Alternatively, use it in savoury dishes like soups and stews to give them extra wellness benefits and depth of flavour. Love baking? We recommend mixing some shatavari into the base of sweet treats like bliss bars and energy balls. The versatility of this ingredient might just surprise you!

If you have an existing health condition or are on medication, speak to a doctor before taking shatavari. This helps you avoid unwanted interactions and side effects.

Personalising this shatavari and coconut latte recipe

The great thing about making a coconut milk latte is that you can adjust the recipe to better suit your tastes. For instance, on hot days, try pouring the drink over glasses of ice for a refreshing iced coconut milk latte. To avoid diluting it, you could even use ice cubes made of coffee! Another option is to transform the beverage into an almond milk latte or oat milk latte by using different milks.

One of our preferred methods of customising this shatavari and coconut milk latte is mixing up the garnishes. As an example, you could add a sprinkle of cinnamon and/or cocoa powder on top. We find this makes the drink extra comforting during colder weather. Alternatively, dust a little desiccated coconut into your mug to really highlight the coconut notes of the beverage. More of a purist? Forget these additions and leave out the vanilla for a richer coffee taste.

Finally, if you’re enjoying your coconut milk latte in the evening and want a more grownup drink, you could add a dash of rum to the glass. This pairing definitely evokes tropical island vibes – talk about a treat!