The 2-Fold Magic Of Coffee-Crusted Steak

Making the perfect steak is equal parts art and science, requiring creativity and a willingness to experiment with some pretty outlandish cooking methods in order to achieve the most tender and juicy result. From searing to reverse searing, basting, broiling, and marinating, there are perhaps infinite ways to enhance your cut of meat. One method of preparing steak might feel unusual even for the most adventurous steak enthusiasts. Crusting your steak with coffee grounds might seem like an odd idea. However, the unconventional preparation method might yield amazing results.

Making a coffee crust for your steak provides some specific benefits for your beef. This is because coffee beans contain tannins, naturally occurring compounds that have a slightly astringent quality. Tannins are perhaps best known for their presence in red wine, a common pairing for steak. They are also present in smaller quantities in coffee beans. These tannins are key to coffee's ability to improve your cut of steak.

Tannins act as a tenderizing agent when added to meat and a coffee rub, applied to your steak prior to preparation, can help to improve the texture of your beef. The tannins loosen the proteins in the steak's muscle fibers. Additionally, the tannic flavor of coffee helps to complement the taste of your steak. Coffee's high acid content helps to amp up your steak's flavor. Next time you're getting ready to grill some steaks, consider taking out a bag of coffee beans as well.

Tannins are naturally occurring compounds found in grapes, tea leaves, coffee beans, cranberries, and other fruits, barks, and plants. The primary evolutionary purpose of tannins was actually to deter animals from eating plants prior to peak ripeness. However, many foods are prized for their tannin content. Food and drinks such as wine, coffee, and dark chocolate all contain tannins that help enhance their flavors by adding complexity and bitterness. While bitterness is not typically a flavor that most people seek out, bitterness can add dimension to more indulgent, high-fat-content foods, providing dishes with a more balanced flavor profile.

Red wines contain high levels of tannins which make red wine the perfect pairing for many steaks. Tannin molecules help to break down the fat content in steak, making the steak more flavorful. Meanwhile, the fat content in steak helps to mellow out more tannic red wines, creating the perfect, complementary pairing. The tannins and acidity in coffee can offer a similar benefit to your steak when used as a crust. Additionally, your coffee rub will add a nice, charred taste to your steak that can bring your cut to the next level.

When choosing your beans for a steak rub, you will have to consider that not all coffee beans are created equal. You will want to consider the varying tannin content of certain coffees as a higher tannin content will benefit most when used in your coffee rub. Regarding bean type, you will want to reach for the Robusta beans as they have a higher tannin content than Arabica beans. While Arabica beans are generally more favored for drinking thanks to their smoother flavor, Robusta beans have a stronger more bitter taste thanks to their high tannin and chlorogenic acid content. Robusta beans are ideal for creating a coffee crust for your steak.

You don't have to limit your coffee rub to just, well, coffee. Adding ingredients such as brown sugar can help to caramelize your coffee-crusted steak. Spices such as paprika and black peppercorns can add even more depth to your rub, making your steak that much more indulgent. In terms of cooking that coffee-crusted steak, you'll want to stick to a cast iron skillet. Doing so will allow your steak to form a delicious crispy crust and achieve an even cook on your chosen cut of steak. No matter how you choose to cook your steak, a coffee crust can help make the most of your chosen cut.