National Coffee Day: Protein coffee puts a new twist on the morning routine

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Protein coffee is gaining attention as more people look for ways to combine their morning caffeine with added protein.

Darcy Haggith, founder of Polar Joe, joined WWAY on National Coffee Day to talk about the trend and how the idea developed from his own morning routine.

Haggith said he first began experimenting with protein coffee in 2015 after realizing he wanted more protein in his diet. His company began as a sports nutrition business, and he started mixing its protein with espresso, maple syrup and cream to make iced lattes at home.

“I wasn’t getting enough protein in my morning routine,” Haggith said.

He said the company eventually recognized the mixture as a potential product and launched it in 2017.

Haggith believes growing interest in protein reflects greater awareness of its role in maintaining muscle mass as people age. He said people over 40, in particular, may pay more attention to their protein intake.

He also emphasized when people consume protein, saying breakfast is often overlooked compared with lunch and dinner.

Haggith said 20 to 30 grams of protein at breakfast may be appropriate for many people and cited a general guideline of about 1.6 grams per kilogram of body weight per day. Individual protein needs can vary based on factors including age, activity level and overall health.

He said spreading protein intake across breakfast, lunch and dinner is preferable to consuming most of it later in the day.

As for the coffee itself, Haggith said Polar Joe was originally developed as an iced drink. He said customers later found it could also be served hot, although overheating it can affect the protein.

You can learn more about the product here.