What’s the deal with activated charcoal lattes -- and where can you get one in Charlotte?
As I eagerly awaited by first latte from South End Grind, I watched owner Freddy Nordhoff work his magic. He poured in the espresso, the oat milk, the cardamom, the black pepper syrup — and the activated charcoal?
I was immediately captivated as I watched my latte turn from the usual light brown color to a deep and solid black. I had always heard of charcoal used in facial scrubs or toothpaste, but never once did I think about consuming it.
I am not gonna lie and say I wasn’t a bit intimidated to take a sip of this drink that looked like something straight out of a horror movie. But as I took my first taste (of course after taking an artsy picture of it first), I was pleasantly surprised.
I am already planning my trip back to get another one. Not just because of the incredible mix of rich flavors — the latte is sweet, earthy and smooth, and leaves a slight, crunchy sediment in the bottom of the cup. I’m also planning to go back because, after researching the health benefits of activated charcoal, it sounds like something worth considering.
Since Nordhoff added the Chardamom Latte to South End Grind’s menu a few weeks ago, he has seen people show up just to try it.
Not too long ago, Nordhoff added a hot pink, beet latte to his menu and received positive results. It inspired him to whip up a new menu item that would spark customers’ interest.
“I had seen charcoal lattes kinda floating around on the internet for a while, so it was something I was curious about,” Nordhoff said.
South End Grind is not Charlotte’s first shop to jump on the activated charcoal trend:
Viva Raw (224 E 7th St) makes an Eclipse Lemonade and black ash-coated Onyx cashew cheese both feature activated black charcoal.
Clean Juice (1616 Camden Rd #130 and other locations) has a new, cold-pressed juice called BLACK and is made up of activated charcoal, filtered water, organic lemon and organic maple syrup.
HEX Coffee (125 Remount Rd) offered a special Christmas latte last year called Lump of Coal that was made with peppermint, star anise, Vinderich Chocolate and charcoal.
So why is consuming charcoal becoming a thing? It turns out the usage of activated charcoal comes along with several health benefits.
“Charcoal is a detoxifying agent, so it’s used in water filtration systems,” Nordhoff said. “If someone overdoses on drugs, they got to the hospital and get a 50-gram dose of charcoal and it kind of absorbs whatever is in their system. I don’t use even close to 50 grams so it doesn’t have the same level of effect.”
Nordhoff uses approximately 1 gram of charcoal in the Chardamom Latte.
Along with being used as a detoxifying agent, some of the benefits of activated charcoal include whitening teeth, alleviating gas and bloating, cleansing mold, promoting a healthy digestive system, treating body odor and acne, and offering anti-aging benefits.
A disclaimer that Nordhoff gives his customers before ordering his latte is if you have taken medicine in the last four hours, it can decrease the effectiveness of that medication.
Another disclaimer I will add is to not alarm yourself when you forgot what you just drank and look in the mirror and your tongue is black.
That being said, from this latte’s unique flavors to its beautiful aesthetics, it is definitely one worth trying out. Also, who knows? Your teeth might even be whiter after you finish your last sip.
Want to try the Chardamom Latte?
Head to South End Grind at 255 Clanton Road.
Photo by: Deanna Drogan
This story was originally published June 19, 2018 at 12:00 AM with the headline "What’s the deal with activated charcoal lattes -- and where can you get one in Charlotte?."