Black coffee is about appreciating subtly. This may sound crazy, but it really is the truth. We need to acknowledge that underneath that strong, bitter, domineering flavor are other notes. These flavorful tones change depending on where you buy from. Coffee shops are waiting for you to finally notice the wonders of a cup of black coffee. . If you get a cup of coffee at first you may be shocked and drawn back by the bitter tang that hits your tongue. But that second sip? That sip will teach you more about your cup.
Have you ever had an americano from Starbucks? Beyond the expected “coffee flavor,” your second sip will give you a sense for how they bake their beans—in my humble opinion, they bake them for way too long. On the other hand, Dickinson’s well-loved coffeeshop on campus, Denim, brings you other notes. Their espresso has a distinct fruitiness to it, while their alternating drip brews bring other notes to the table. Every cup of coffee tells a story. Different regions of the world are known for unique notes of flavor. The America’s are known for a nutty, slightly acidic brew. Africa is known for fruity, floral and even sweet coffee. Asia for its herbal, chocolatey, and earthy flavor.
In a latte, these flavors can be lost. That delicious vanilla syrup you love often hides a delicious complexity. Every now and then I understand wanting a sweet, creamy drink to enhance the day. But in the morning, a cup of black coffee is really the best thing to boost your day. Starting the day by considering a cup of flavors kicks off the day with a moving mind. Imagining where those beans have been, how far they traveled and the time they roasted brings a new level of appreciation for your cup. Not only will your coffee supply you the energy you so desperately need, but it will also encourage your mind to move in new ways, inpsiringcreativity throughout your day.
Even better than all that, black coffee is better for your budget. It’s generally the cheapest option. Whether at your home or at a coffee house you have an opportunity in every cup of coffee to drink it black. Saving money and enhancing your tastebuds in just one cup. With all these benefits, the real question then becomes, why wouldn’t you love a cup of black coffee? Too long have drinkers of this simple yet complex drink been judged too harshly. That over-caffeinated shaking hand may seem like a bad sign, maybe even an addiction to the drink. No. Instead, I view it as sign of a person who likes to analyze their drink, a sign of a person who appreciates subtle complexity. So, when you go for your next brew, drink it black. Take a moment to think about how that flavor came to be, and how it may be different from the same drink at another shop. If you hated it, at least have a second sip—it may change your mind.
