What Is Bulletproof Coffee and Why Did Silicon Valley Drink It?

Ever wondered what those hyper-productive tech founders and biohackers are drinking in the morning instead of your usual drip coffee? There’s a good chance it’s not just espresso or cold brew—it might be a creamy, high-fat coffee blend designed to replace breakfast, spike mental clarity, and allegedly help you lose weight. This isn’t your average latte. It started with a tech entrepreneur’s trip to Tibet and ended up changing how a generation thinks about fueling their brain.

The drink is called bulletproof coffee, and yes, many people in Silicon Valley really did—and still do—drink it. It typically consists of 1 cup of black coffee blended with 1 to 2 tablespoons of grass-fed butter and 1 to 2 tablespoons of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil, delivering around 460+ calories per serving. It was created by Dave Asprey after his 2004 trip to Tibet.

The Accidental Discovery in Tibet

It all began in 2004 when Dave Asprey, a then-cloud computing expert, traveled to Tibet to study meditation. But what changed his focus wasn’t the monastery—it was the yak butter tea he was served. Despite the high altitude, Asprey reported feeling unusually energized, without the fatigue or altitude sickness he expected. He later credited the drink, and set out to recreate its effects back home in the U.S.

From Butter Tea to Bulletproof Coffee

Asprey spent over a decade and $300,000 researching how to engineer a similar effect using coffee instead of tea. His goal: a sugar-free, dairy-free hot drink that offered sustained energy and mental sharpness. After experimenting with different fats, he landed on a formula using grass-fed butter and MCT oil—specifically, a type derived originally from coconut oil—as the key ingredients. The result was a rich, frothy coffee with the mouthfeel of a latte but none of the sugar or carbs.

The Birth of Bulletproof Coffee

In 2009, Asprey published his bulletproof coffee recipe on his personal blog. The suggested recipe includes:

• 1 cup of black coffee (brewed strong)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of grass-fed, unsalted butter (low in mycotoxins, according to Asprey)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil (initially derived from coconut oil)

He claimed that drinking this blend for breakfast, in place of traditional meals, could help induce ketosis—a metabolic state where the body burns fat for fuel—support weight loss, and dramatically boost cognitive function. He also reported that this routine, combined with other health interventions, may have raised his IQ by 20 points (though such claims are not scientifically verified).

Celebrity Fans and Early Adoption

Bulletproof coffee quickly gained traction beyond Asprey’s blog. Early adopters included high-profile figures in tech and entertainment. Actress Shailene Woodley called it “one of humanity’s greatest achievements,” and talk show host Jimmy Fallon discussed it on air with Maya Rudolph. Tech investors like Dan Scholnick of Trinity Ventures even carried portable Aeropress brewers, electric milk foamers, and bulletproof coffee ingredients—like specially formulated butter and MCT oil—on flights to make the drink while traveling.

Scholnick said making bulletproof coffee at 30,000 feet helped him stay alert. Other notable names who reportedly tried or endorsed versions of the drink include Arianna Huffington, Tim Ferriss, and the head nutritionist for the LA Lakers. They appreciated its high healthy fat content without dairy, aligning with ketogenic and brain-optimization diets.

Commercial Growth and Controversy

Although the original recipe was free, Asprey built a business around it. His company grew to 20 employees and expanded into selling branded bulletproof coffee products, along with accessories like sleep mats, heart rate monitors, and even an $895 brain-focused attention training device. He has never publicly disclosed exact revenue but noted the company grew seven- to eightfold since starting to sell coffee beans in 2011.

Some nutrition experts remain skeptical. Marjorie Nolan Cohn of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics stated that while fat is indeed important for brain health, there is no scientific proof that bulletproof coffee specifically sharpens cognition. Nonetheless, the drink found a loyal following in places like Picnik Austin, a coffee shop that initially resisted adding butter to coffee but later saw it become their best-selling drink after customer education.

How to Make Bulletproof Coffee

To recreate the classic bulletproof coffee recipe at home, follow these steps:

1. Brew 1 cup (about 240–300 ml) of strong black coffee using your preferred method (e.g., pour-over, French press, or espresso blend brewed as Americano).
2. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of grass-fed, unsalted butter (preferably low in mycotoxins).
3. Add 1 to 2 tablespoons of MCT oil (can be pure C8 or C10, or a standard MCT blend often derived from coconut oil).
4. Blend all ingredients together using a blender, milk frother, or handheld immersion blender for 20–30 seconds until the mixture becomes smooth and frothy, resembling a light latte.

The final drink should have a rich, creamy texture similar to a dairy-based latte but with virtually no carbohydrates or sugar.

The Future of Bulletproof

Asprey has continued evolving the brand. He planned to release a ready-to-drink version of bulletproof coffee and introduced a supplement line called “Unfair Advantage,” a monthly subscription product marketed to optimize mitochondrial energy at $60 per month. Although he considered opening a bulletproof coffee shop in Silicon Valley, he ultimately chose Los Angeles for his first location due to lower rents and a larger interested customer base.

He also mentioned writing a book on productivity and weight loss, tentatively titled The Better Human Diet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is bulletproof coffee made of?

Bulletproof coffee typically includes 1 cup of black coffee, 1–2 tablespoons of grass-fed butter, and 1–2 tablespoons of medium-chain triglyceride (MCT) oil. The original recipe uses butter low in mycotoxins and MCT oil often derived from coconut.

Who created bulletproof coffee?

Dave Asprey, a former cloud computing expert, created bulletproof coffee after being inspired by Tibetan butter tea during a 2004 trip to Tibet. He developed the recipe over 15 years and published it in 2009.

Does bulletproof coffee help with weight loss?

Asprey claims it can support weight loss by inducing ketosis, a fat-burning metabolic state. However, scientific evidence specifically supporting bulletproof coffee for weight loss is limited.

Is bulletproof coffee good for your brain?

Asprey and some users report improved mental clarity and cognitive function. Experts agree fats are important for brain health, but there's no proof bulletproof coffee uniquely enhances IQ or focus.

Why is it called bulletproof coffee?

The name was inspired by a suggestion from digital entrepreneur Herb Kim, who told Asprey to brand it something “bulletproof” or “unbreakable” rather than “superhuman.”

Can I make bulletproof coffee without a blender?

You can, but blending creates the signature creamy, frothy texture. Without a blender, the butter and oil may separate, resulting in a less uniform drink.

FrontStreet Coffee Picks for Bulletproof-Style Brewing

If you're experimenting with bulletproof coffee at home, start with a bold, low-acidity single origin that can hold up to the richness of butter and MCT oil. FrontStreet’s Ethiopia Guji Worka offers a juicy yet structured profile with blueberry and stone fruit notes, while Yunnan Arabica delivers a smooth, chocolatey body perfect for blending. For a deeper option, try our Classic Blend, which has caramel and dark cherry tones that balance the creamy texture. All three roast profiles are used by keto and biohacking enthusiasts for their full mouthfeel. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.