Despite its basic nature, black coffee can be overwhelming for some people. It’s a strong, full-bodied beverage that can make you feel intense emotions if you don’t know how to enjoy it. To learn how to drink black coffee, it’s important to understand its origin and composition, how to choose the right coffee beans and how to brew it properly.
Black coffee originates from the coffee bean – an edible seed from the coffee plant. Coffee beans are sourced from 80 different countries and come in a variety of varieties, roasts, and flavors. Traditionally, black coffee is made from the Arabica bean. These beans are larger and have a lower caffeine content making them well-suited for a cup of black coffee.
The next step is to choose the right coffee beans. Look for high-quality, freshly roasted beans. Freshness ensures the flavor and aroma is intact. If possible, buy the beans in small amounts to ensure they don’t sit in storage for too long. Then, grind the beans just before brewing to maximize flavor. It is important to choose a grind that is suitable for your coffee making method – finer for espresso and drip coffee, and coarser for French press coffee.
Once you have the coffee beans and the grind, you need to brew the coffee. Use filtered or bottled water, and make sure the water is between 195 – 205°F. For espresso, use a nine to one ratio of water to coffee. Drip coffee requires a two to one ratio, and for French press, use a three to one ratio of water to coffee. When brewing, adjust the ratio to achieve your desired strength. Grind the beans more finely for a more flavorful cup and more coarsely for a lighter cup. Let the coffee steep after brewing before serving.
Finally, as you learn to drink black coffee, remember to take it slow and pay attention to the flavor and the aroma. Savour the crema, the foam that forms when the hot water meets the beans. This is a key part of the experience. And don’t be afraid to experiment. Black coffee can be paired with various food items, such as nuts, dark chocolate and even cheese. You can also add spices, like cinnamon, nutmeg or cardamom, to give it a refreshing twist.
Brew Methods
Brewing black coffee requires techniques and tools to ensure that a satisfying cup is made. The three most popular methods are the espresso machine, the French press, and the pour-over. The espresso machine is for people looking for a thick, strong cup of coffee that contains a lot of espresso. The French press is a simple brewing method that produces a full-bodied, robust cup of black coffee. The pour-over uses a special filter and cone-shaped brewer that produces a lighter cup of coffee that preserves the aroma of the beans.
Taste and Quality
Tasting and assessing the quality of your black coffee is important when learning to drink it. Start by assessing the colour. Good black coffee should have a deep, dark brown colour with a golden hue. The quality of taste should be smooth and balanced, neither too acidic nor too bitter. The acidity should be subtle and mellow with a hint of nuttiness and sweetness. When you have the perfect cup of black coffee, you will be able to appreciate its complexity and enjoy its flavours.
Health Benefits
Black coffee is lauded for its many health benefits due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It helps protect against certain diseases such as cancer, heart disease, diabetes and liver disease. Additionally, it has been said that it can help boost cognitive performance, as well as reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and depression. Black coffee is also known to be a diuretic and can help boost metabolism.
Quality Coffee Makers
One of the best investments you can make when learning to drink black coffee is to buy a quality coffee maker. This will ensure you have a consistent and delicious cup of coffee every time. Quality coffee makers come in a variety of shapes and sizes. If you prefer espresso, then you will want to purchase an espresso machine. If you prefer a French press or pour-over method, then you’ll need to get a coffee maker that is designed for this method.
Coffee Subscriptions
The best way to discover great coffee is to get it delivered right to your doorstep. Coffee subscriptions are an excellent way to get high-quality coffees from around the world. This will ensure that you are getting the freshest and best quality coffee beans, which will make a difference to your cup of black coffee.
Coffee Culture
Drinking black coffee is more than just a beverage, it’s a culture. There are coffee shops all over the world that are dedicated to the art of coffee and the craft of making a perfect cup. By attending coffee tastings and barista classes, you can learn about coffee production, coffee makers, brewing techniques, coffee tasting and much more.
Brew Equipment
There are many types of brewing equipment that you can use to make black coffee. The most basic is the French press, which is very simple and convenient to use. It has a plunger that filters the grounds from the water. Espresso machines are more complex and produce a strong cup of coffee that is full-bodied and flavorful. Pour-over coffee makers are relatively new and require a filter, a carafe and a cone-shaped brewer to make. All three will help you brew a great cup of black coffee.
