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One tiny spoonful, a big Brazilian memory, and zero added sugar.
A runner-friendly coffee twist inspired by a warm welcome in Itabaiana, Sergipe: a homemade spice blend that adds warmth, color, and a surprisingly rich flavor to your coffee—without adding sugar.
A coffee worth remembering
Some of the best running tips do not come from an app, a sports-nutrition label, or a finish-line expo. They come unexpectedly, often with a friendly conversation and a cup of coffee.
During one of my trips to Itabaiana, Sergipe, Brazil, I went to João Marcos Bispo’s workplace to pick up a product. João did not know me at all, I was just a stranger walking in, but he welcomed me in the most Brazilian way possible: he offered me coffee.
This was not an ordinary coffee. João had “spiked” it with his own powder blend, and the flavor immediately caught my attention. It was aromatic, lightly spicy, naturally sweet-tasting, and absolutely did not need sugar.
When I told him how much I liked it, João generously shared his recipe. He even offered to give me the container he had with him. I could not accept that, but I left with something better: the recipe, the memory, and another reminder of the extraordinary hospitality I experienced in Sergipe.
After two visits there, I can honestly say that the people of Sergipe have been incredibly welcoming, friendly, and helpful to me. João’s coffee is now part of that story.
Thank you, João Marcos Bispo!
João’s coffee blend
The recipe is simple. Buy the ingredients in powder form, mix them well, and keep the blend in a clean, dry, tightly sealed container.
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cinnamon powder (canela) | 100 g |
| Ground clove (cravo-da-índia) | 50 g |
| Ginger powder (gengibre) | 100 g |
| Beetroot powder (beterraba) | 100 g |
This makes a 7-part blend:
- 2 parts cinnamon
- 1 part ground clove
- 2 parts ginger
- 2 parts beetroot powder
For a smaller first batch, use the same ratio: for example, 20 g cinnamon, 10 g ground cloves, 20 g ginger, and 20 g beetroot powder.
How I use it
- Prepare your usual coffee.
- Add just a tiny pinch of the powder blend—start with approximately 1/16 to 1/8 teaspoon per mug.
- Stir well and adjust gradually to your taste.
Be conservative with the first cup. Ground cloves are powerful, and a little bit goes a long way. The ginger brings a pleasant kick, cinnamon gives warmth, and beetroot provides an earthy note and a beautiful reddish color.
You can also mix the blend into:
- Coffee with milk or a plant-based milk
- Cold brew
- A pre-run oatmeal bowl
- Greek yogurt
- A smoothie
- Pancake or waffle batter
The goal is not to turn coffee into a supplement laboratory. It is simply a tasty, aromatic alternative for people trying to reduce added sugar.
Where to buy in the USA
Look for food-grade culinary spices and powders, ideally from sellers that identify the ingredient clearly and provide a sealed package. Beetroot powder is widely sold through natural-food retailers and online supplement stores, but quality can vary, so buying from a reputable retailer is sensible.pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih+1
Here are convenient starting points:
- Cinnamon powder on Amazon
- Ground cloves on Amazon
- Ginger powder on Amazon
- Beetroot powder on Amazon
- Beetroot powder at iHerb
- Spices and powders at Whole Foods Market
- Bulk spices from Mountain Rose Herbs
As one example, ground clove powder is available online in culinary-size packages, including a 4-ounce ground-clove product from The Spice Way.
A small health note
This is a flavor recipe, not medical or performance advice. The amount added to a cup of coffee is very small, so it should be thought of primarily as a sugar-free taste enhancer rather than a guaranteed endurance-performance product.
Beetroot products are often associated with dietary nitrates and exercise research, but product quality and dosage can vary widely. If you have kidney-stone history, take blood-pressure or blood-thinning medication, are pregnant, or have a condition that affects what you can safely consume, check with a clinician before regularly using concentrated powders. Beetroot powder may be unsuitable for people prone to kidney stones because it can be high in oxalates.
Most importantly: enjoy the coffee, enjoy the memory, and remember that good running fuel sometimes starts with good people.
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