I have shared before one of my secret tips for removing the bitterness from your cup of coffee, but what if I told you that there are other things you can do as well to change the flavour of your coffee -- so much so that soon, you will drink it black? Here are my secrets I am sharing with everyone today!
The Secret to Drinking Black Coffee
Quality Coffee Beans are the Key Component
Buying quality coffee beans is super important if you want to teach yourself how to enjoy drinking black coffee. You never want to buy the pre-ground stuff. You also need to choose a lighter style roast such as medium (which happens to be the #1 choice of roast across the board for roasting flavours.
Be sure to store your beans in an airtight container (not the bag it came in), because coffee beans lose their flavour and go stale very quickly. Always make sure that the beans you purchase have a roasted by stamped date on the package so you know how fresh the beans actually are.
Don't Be Afraid to Grind Your Own Beans
Grinding your own beans will truly make you feel like an at-home barista. Just be sure to only grind the number of beans you need for that moment.
A burr grinder is best and will allow you to grind your beans to the fineness you need for the type of brew you will be making. It all depends on how you choose to brew.
Make Sure to Use the Right Amount of Coffee
Many people have stated that using more coffee will equal bitter coffee, but it's actually the other way around. More water and fewer grounds give the water enough time to start extracting the bitter nasty compounds, more coffee helps prevent this.
Use 2 tablespoons per 6 oz (a standard coffee cup) of water and a tiny pinch of salt. The salt helps cut through the bitterness (you're going to get some it's just a fact). By doing this, your coffee will come out with a smooth flavour. It will make it much easier to drink when it's black.
The Right Water Temperature
When heating your water for your coffee, be sure to heat it to just right before it boils. If you're using a manual drip just pour on the hot water (measured of course) onto the grounds slowly and let it drip through.
The French press is just a bit different. You are going to pour your water onto the grounds and then wait 4 minutes before plunging. Be sure to plunge slowly and then pour into mugs and drink away!
So -- Why Should I Drink Black Coffee?
Drinking black coffee will allow you to experience a cup of coffee the way it was designed.
If you think about each cup of coffee you drink, there was thought and intention put into the way that coffee tastes and how it was made.
Coffee farmers from all over the country work tirelessly to grow coffee that is worthy to drink. They take time making sure the cherries are picked at the perfect time of year. They work together with the roasters who visit and choose just the right varietal for your cup of coffee. Then the roasters spend their time with cupping, tasting, roasting and developing the perfect roast profile to get the most out of those green beans that they purchased. As you have learned from the Blue Coffee Box subscription, the taste of coffee can vary considerably from farm to farm and region to region. Learning to drink your coffee black helps to appreciate and enjoy these differences.
It's Much Healthier for You
One of the main reasons to drink your coffee black is because is healthier. Let me tell you that black coffee has almost 0 calories. I used to load my coffee up with lots of flavoured creamers and tons of sugar. Not anymore.
Since switching to freshly roasted coffee, I have cut way back ! I drink many of my morning coffees with no creamer or sugar.
On top of that, black coffee is good for you. If you add sugar or too much cream, the benefits of black coffee will be diluted.
