If you are like most of us, you know many people who drink coffee black. That person might tell you that his or her preference for black coffee is an acquired taste, as though drinking coffee without cream and sugar is like drinking the finest wines from the Bordeaux region of France. But do not be fooled. There is an art to drinking black coffee without being overcome by the bitterness.

The first thing to note is that black coffee does have a very unique flavor. If you can get past the bitterness, the flavor is unlike anything else you’ve ever tasted. You will experience something truly different that is unmasked by cream and sugar. And by the way, that’s the real point of learning the art of drinking black coffee.

Bring Out the Flavor of Coffee

The idea behind adding cream and sugar is to cover the bitterness coffee naturally presents. But in so doing, you are also masking the good part of coffee’s flavor. So a big part of the art of drinking coffee black is to find a way around the bitterness without masking what you like about the flavor. It is all about enhancing the good flavors. You need to be patient and give yourself a chance to get used to the taste. After a short period of time, you’ll begin to taste and enjoy the different nuances of each type of coffee.

Hot vs. Cold Brew

You may wonder what all the hype about cold brew coffee is. Well, it’s not just a millennial thing. Cold brew coffee is decidedly less bitter. It is even somewhat sweet. As a result, there are people who enjoy it without any additives whatsoever. You get all the flavor and benefits of coffee without the extra cream and sugar. And yes, you can heat cold brew up in the microwave without increasing the bitterness.

On the other side of the coin, do not try to make hot coffee and then put it in the refrigerator expecting the bitterness to go away. This actually increases its bitterness. Hot brewed coffee is bitter because the hot water brings out the bitterness of the coffee beans along with the oils that give coffee its flavor.

As a side note, a big part of the art of drinking black coffee is to sip slowly. Big gulps only make a bitter brew seem more bitter. Instead, take slow sips and savor the flavor. Let it roll around the tongue to touch the entire pallet. That is where the good flavors are discovered.