Die-hard coffee aficionados are divided into two groups: those who exclusively drink black coffee and enjoy flavors and toppings.
Table Of Contents
â- What is âblack coffeeâ?
- Buyerâs guide:
- Best black coffee brands
- Lifeboost dark roast coffee â overall winner
- Keurig coffee loversâ collection
- Lavazza armonico espresso
- Mccafé Breakfast Blend Light Roast
- Starbucks medium roast
- Green mountain coffee roasters
- Peetâs coffee decaf house blend
- Caza trail coffee
- Eight oâclock coffee
- Valhalla java ground coffee
- Kicking horse coffee
- Koffee Kult coffee
- Café don Pablo coffee
- Kauai coffee single-serve pods
- Bulletproof the original ground coffee
- Billy organic cold brew coffee
- Coffee roasting levels (light to dark)
- Different kinds of coffee beans
- Benefits of black coffee
- The drawbacks of black coffee
- A beginnerâs guide to falling in love with black coffee
- Tips to avoid
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
It is safe to assume that black coffee consumers save money, effort, and calories by avoiding additives. If you prefer your coffee black, you are considered a purist. So, if you would like to try sipping straight coffee, you will soon have a new perspective on your favorite beverage.
Please grab a cup of your favorite brew, and join us to discuss our recommendations for the best-tasting black coffee brands.
Quick Look
What is âblack coffeeâ?
While it may appear to be a simple matter, there is some debate about what constitutes black coffee. Most people describe black coffee as any coffee (from a normal drip to an espresso) prepared and served without any additional ingredients.
That means no milk, sugar, creamer, and no froth. Some individuals, however, believe that ingredients that do not modify the color of the drink (such as sugar, cinnamon, and cacao powder) are permissible. We, on the other hand, prefer to keep to the conventional definition for several reasons.
To begin with, many individuals who drink black coffee do so intentionally to avoid all of the add-ins. Second, those who prefer to drink black coffee to receive the full coffee flavor will be disappointed if you start adding other ingredients.
With that in mind, let us look at which coffee companies provide the greatest coffee beans to drink brewed without any additional ingredients.
Buyerâs guide:
If you like your coffee black, or if you want to experience a new experience by removing extra sugars from your coffee, there are various factors to consider, including freshness, acidity, roast, and brewing technique.
Acidity
Many coffee drinkers do not want to give up their favorite beverage since they have sensitive stomachs. As a result, you must be familiar with your body and be rigorous in your studies. Then, look for a low-acidity option (like our top selection, the Lifeboost Dark Roast), especially if you try to wean yourself off sugar.
Freshness
To avoid sounding like a broken record, all coffee enthusiasts agree that the freshest brew you can make at home originates from whole coffee beans ground just before brewing. Nonetheless, many people prefer the ease of pre-ground coffee, which is why we put one on our list.
Roast
There are several roast options available. Some may have a milder flavor than imagined. So, whether you want something fruity and bright or robust and sweet, you have alternatives.
Brewing method
If you use an automated espresso machine, the grinder may become blocked if the beans are excessively oily, resulting in a cleaning nightmare later. Instead, check to see if it is finely ground enough for espresso to extract the most delicious brew with pre-ground coffee. Some companies roast beans for a certain brewing technique, such as drip coffee or espresso, but others roast to please all methods.
The coffee beansâ origin
The provenance of the coffee beans has a significant influence on the brewing process. If you like the pure taste, choose coffee beans from South America or Central America. Coffee beans from Asia should be used if you prefer an earthy taste. Coffee beans from Africa, on the other hand, are your best pick if you like rich tastes and a fruity taste.
How the coffee beans were processed.
Assume you want a clean flavor in your cup of black coffee. You should get âwashedâ coffee beans. If you wish to appreciate strong tastes, opt for the ânaturalâ processing method. The techniques of processing have a significant influence on the final flavor.
Best black coffee brands
It should be bold, balanced, smooth, incredibly delicious, and with a scent that makes your kitchen smell like heaven every morning. 35 percent of all coffee users in the United States are addicted to the lively mouthfeel that black coffee gives.
If you want your coffee thick and robust (we are still talking about coffee folks!), we have hand-picked the best coffee brands for youâno need for milk and cream with these tasty Java varieties. We dare you to try them all!
Lifeboost dark roast coffee â overall winner
There are several reasons to pick Lifeboostâs Dark Roast, but the biggest argument is that it tastes (and smells) incredible.
Lifeboost farms its beans in the Nicaraguan mountains without the use of pesticides or chemicals. Instead, the organization employs a time-consuming and sophisticated harvesting and processing approach. What is the result? Delicious, well-roasted coffee beans with a mild acidity that is easy on the stomach.
Keurig coffee loversâ collection
Key features:
- 60 K-Pod Pods
- Fair Trade Coffee
- Kosher Certified Coffee
- Variety Pack with 20 Different Types
- Roast Level: Dark, Medium, and Light
- Organic Coffee
Lavazza armonico espresso
Key features:
- Roast Level: Dark
- Nespresso Machines Compatible Only
- 100% Arabica Beans
- No Flavoring or Preservatives Added
- 180 Caps
- Intensity Level: 8 out of 13
Mccafé Breakfast Blend Light Roast
Key features:
- Resealable Can
- 100% Arabica Beans
- Roast Level: Light
- Kosher Certified
- Ground Coffee
Starbucks medium roast
Key features:
- Blend of Latin American Coffee
- Recyclable Cups
- 32 K-Cup Pods
- Roast Level: Medium
- Compatible with All Keurig K-Cup Brewers
Green mountain coffee roasters
If you prefer K-cup pods and are addicted to the rich flavors that dark roasts offer your tongue, perhaps this Green Mountain coffee is your perfect match.
This Green Mountain roast is for seasoned coffee drinkers only since it is an intense and powerful coffee with a powerful kick of fruity and chocolate overtones. This rich and deep blend, which is compatible with all Keurig K-cup makers, combines seductive taste and convenience in one.
Peetâs coffee decaf house blend
Key features:
- Recyclable Cups
- 100% Arabica Beans
- Small-Batch Roasted
- Roast Level: Dark
- Decaf K-Cup Pods
Caza trail coffee
Key features:
- 100% Arabica Beans
- 100 K-Cup Pods
- Roast Level: Medium
- Latin American & Kona Moku Coffee Blend
- Kosher Certified
Eight oâclock coffee
Key features:
- 100% Arabica Beans
- Certified Kosher
- Award-Winning Colombian Coffee
- Roast Level: Medium
- K-Cup Pods
Valhalla java ground coffee
Key features:
- Robusta and Arabica Blend
- Fairtrade
- Ground Coffee
- Roast Level: Dark
- USDA Organic
Kicking horse coffee
Key features:
- Arabica Beans
- Kosher Certified
- Whole Bean Coffee
- USDA Organic
- Shade-Grown
- Roast Level: Dark
- Fairtrade
Koffee Kult coffee
Key features:
- 100% Arabica Beans
- Whole Bean Coffee
- Small-Batch Roasted
- Roast Level: Dark
- A blend of Colombian, Sumatran, and Brazilian Coffee
Café don Pablo coffee
Key features:
- 100% Arabica Beans
- Whole Bean Coffee
- Roast Level: Medium-Dark
- Small-Batch Roasted
- Cultivated in Honduras
- CCOF Organic
- Non-GMO
Kauai coffee single-serve pods
Key features:
- Made in Hawaii
- Roast Level: Dark
- 100% Arabica Beans
- 12 Pods Compatible with All K-Cup Brewers
- Environment-Friendly
Bulletproof the original ground coffee
Key features:
- 100% Arabica Beans
- Certified Clean Coffee
- Rainforest Alliance Certified
- Bulletproof Purity Process
- Roast Level: Medium
- Ground Coffee
- Toxin-Free
Billy organic cold brew coffee
Key features:
- Ground Coffee
- Roast Level: Medium
- 100% Arabica Beans
- Certified Organic
- Sweet and Smooth Profile
- 67% Less Acidity than Regular Coffee
Coffee roasting levels (light to dark)
Aside from the quality of the coffee, the degree to which the Java beans are roasted impacts the flavor of the cup. In general, we may categorize the roasts into four groups
- Light Roasts â These beans attain a temperature of 356-401 degrees F and have a bright color, light body, and no oil on the surface. This roasting process comes to an end when the first crack of the roasting occurs.
- Medium Roasts â Medium-brown, full-bodied, and with a balanced taste and acidity, medium roasts reach 410-428 degrees F.
- Medium-Dark Roasts âDarker, richer, and slightly oily, this spicy roast occurs at the moment of the second crack and has a temperature of 437-446 degrees F.
- Dark Roasts â A chocolate-brown hue with a lustrous surface and a smoky flavor, the dark roast occurs toward the conclusion of the second crack and hits a temperature of about 565-482 degrees F.
Different kinds of coffee beans
Coffee comes in various flavors, even though they may appear, to you, to be the same. But, as much as we would like to go further into the coffee species, two primary Java varieties are to be concerned with: Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica Beans â Arabica beans make up most commercial coffee (60 percent, to be exact). Arabica coffee is more nuanced, tasty, and vibrant in color, making it the favored and most popular form of coffee.
Robusta Beans â This is the more potent kind that is typically blended with Arabica beans to produce highly caffeinated mixtures. They are more resistant to climatic change than their Arabica siblings; yet, their hardiness makes them unsuitable for most tastes.
Benefits of black coffee
Black coffee may be your favored morning pick-me-up, but it is more than just a nice taste and exhilarating kick.
Drinking black coffee can also:
- supply you with a lot of nutrients
- improve your memory
- improve the health of your liver
- improve your cardiovascular health
- cleanse your stomach due to its diuretic effects
- lower the risk of cancer
Fewer calories
While this may appear to be a no-brainer, you would be shocked at how much of a difference it makes. While some of us are rather careful with our modest additions, many of us mix syrups with creamers or blend milk and honey in our drinks.
Caffeine and antioxidants
Coffee is the most antioxidant-rich food in the modern diet, outperforming vegetables and fruits combined several times. Without the added sugars and other additives, the antioxidant-rich black coffee can go to work, assisting in improving your health.
Many studies have found that drinking coffee daily can benefit cardiovascular, hepatic, and gastrointestinal health. Furthermore, black coffee has been proven to boost memory and lower your chance of acquiring Dementia, Alzheimerâs, and Parkinsonâs disease. Coffee drinking has also been related to cancer prevention due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
The drawbacks of black coffee
Aside from the positives, there are certain adverse effects of black coffee that you should be aware of.
Poisonous: Black coffee might be harmful to your health. If you buy items that are high in contaminants, or if the beans are over-roasted or have been sitting for a long period, you may have weariness and headaches. Furthermore, long-term consumption of caffeinated coffee will induce various ailments, including cancer, and will result in your death.
Canât sleep and tired: Coffee keeps you up, but it can also keep you awake if the caffeine content is excessive. As a result, you should not consume it at night before going to sleep.
Health problem: If you have a health condition, such as caffeine sensitivity or high cholesterol, be cautious while selecting the proper coffee. You can, for example, consume caffeinated coffee or coffee devoid of cafestol and kahweol.
Finally, pregnant women and small children should avoid drinking black coffee.
A beginnerâs guide to falling in love with black coffee
Drinking black java is always a fantastic decision, whether you are doing it to avoid sugar or simply to enjoy the rawness and true flavor of your beans. However, as appealing as this seems, it may be difficult if your taste is attached to the sweet and creamy add-ins that enter your cup.
Follow these guidelines to discover how to appreciate your black cuppa fully:
Take It Fresh â Coffee tastes much better when it is still fresh, so avoid brewing stale beans.
Grind Your Beans Immediately Before Brewing â To ensure you get a fresh cup, you should grind the beans just before brewing.
Listen to Your Stomach â Some of us have unsettled stomachs, so keep that in mind while selecting your mix. If acids upset your stomach, stick to coffee with mild acidity.
Gradually Increase Your Sugar and Cream â If you cannot go cold turkey, consider gradually lowering the add-ins, allowing your tongue time to acclimatize to the new flavor of your drink.
Choose lighter roasts â Many of us have been convinced that darker roasts are necessarily superior due to industry practices and masculine-centered marketing. A dark roast, on the other hand, may go nicely with milk and sugar. The fact is that you generally will not love anything classified as a âkick you in the belly and slap you for good measureâ sort of coffee unless it comes with some additives to lessen the pain.
Experiment With Brewing Methods â While drip coffee is typically the preferred way. Various brewing techniques are available to achieve your preferred version of black coffee.
Remember that procedures that employ finer grinds generate stronger coffee in general. But, on the other hand, there is a greater likelihood of getting bitter coffee since there is more surface area for extraction.
If you want to preserve the more delicate characteristics of your coffee, drip coffee (both pour-overs and machine drippers) is the way to go. Pour overs, in particular, are ideal for this purpose.
Tips to avoid
We have noticed a few recommendations circulating, and we would like to warn you about using salt and making bulletproof coffee.
To begin, many websites may advise you to add salt to the final brew to reduce bitterness. In general, we advise against using this approach since you will either be unable to notice the difference or taste the salt. However, as previously indicated, you may accomplish the desired effect to some extent by adding salt to the grinds of subpar beans. But, if you intend to drink your coffee black, you should not settle with subpar beans. The salt will not improve the flavor of cheap beers. Instead, it will simply remove the burned or harsh taste of old or overroasted beans.
Next, bulletproof coffee is a common suggestion for folks who have difficulties drinking black coffee, and we have a few thoughts about it. First and foremost, this drink contains butter and oil, so it is not black coffee by any means. Secondly, bulletproof coffee has a few health advantages that seem comparable to those of black coffee, such as weight loss, mood improvements, and enhanced metabolism.
Conclusion
Your palateâs best buddy may be found among our top 15 taste brands. Our recommendation is to try them all and then select a favorite. We would love to hear about your black coffee-sipping adventures!
Frequently Asked Questions
When buying and using black coffee, you may encounter some of the questions listed below. As a result, I recommend the response to each question for your assistance.
When I am hungry, should I drink coffee?
When should I have a cup of black coffee?
Can I put salt in my coffee?
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, which means I may receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you, if you make a purchase using these links. Last update on 2023-06-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Disclosure: No compensation or free products were received in exchange for writing this review.
Editorial Staff
The editorial staff at Crazy Coffee Crave is a team of coffee enthusiasts & Baristas who enjoy the one thing we all think about as soon as we get up in the morning. Trusted by thousands of readers worldwide.
