I know what you’re thinking: why would I swap my cup of caramel deliciousness for bitter, black coffee? Let me just tell you, I used to be a die-hard iced vanilla latte drinker until I switched over to the dark side. Until I converted, one sip of black coffee would make me gag. I was so used to the sweet cup of happiness, that my taste buds just couldn’t handle the bitterness that is raw, pure coffee, untouched by sugar or milk. You’re probably wondering why on earth I would willingly choose to pass up what is basically dessert in a cup, and I am here to tell you four reasons why I’m such an advocate for black coffee.
1. Caffeine Level
Besides the macchiato and lattes, I used to drink iced coffee with cream and sugar. When I started drinking black coffee, I felt like the caffeine had a stronger effect on me compared to when I had it with the cream and sugar. After doing some research, I learned that cream and milk actually slow down absorption of caffeine, dulling the energizing effects of your coffee. This same concept applies to espresso as well. So if you’re a fiend for the caffeine rush, like me, drinking coffee black will help its effects reach full potential.
2. Price
Fancy drinks, especially at places like Dunkin or Starbucks, can ring up to almost $6! A big factor that prompted me to cut back on lattes is the price. Black coffee is cheap, no matter where you purchase it. From Starbucks, a large coffee is only $2.45, and for an iced it’s $2.95. It may not seem like a huge difference, but if you’re a frequent coffee drinker (and broke college student), it definitely pays off in the long run.
3. It’s Healthier.
Let’s face it — we all know sugar, creamers, and caramel sauce aren’t exactly the best for you. Don’t even get me started on Frappuccinos; certain flavors can have up to 18 teaspoons of sugar (6-9 is the daily amount recommended by the American Heart Association). Black coffee, on the other hand, only has about five calories, no fat, no carbs, no sugar and only about six milligrams of sodium. Black coffee has also been proven to protect the liver, lessen risk of type 2 diabetes, and aid in fat burning (thanks to caffeine).
4. Taste
I know I admitted earlier that black coffee is bitter AF. However, I feel like drinking it black is the best way to get the most out of your cup, flavor wise. Without dilution from creamer and sweetener, you can really taste the flavors of the beans. It’ll take a bit to get used to, but once you do, you’ll truly appreciate coffee for what it is. If you really can’t handle bitterness, try a light roast instead for a sweeter essence.
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Black coffee isn’t for everyone, but it certainly should be. Give it a few tries, and I guarantee you’ll turn to the dark side.