11 Best Black Coffee Brands
While the best tasting black coffee for you may depend on your personal preference, there are some qualities that make a coffee especially enjoyable to drink black. A natural sweetness is the most important! Here we’ll take a look at all of the factors that make up a great tasting black coffee. If you'd prefer, you can skip to our top 11 picks for best tasting black coffee!
Here's a quick look at our best black coffee brand picks!
The Coffee | Available As... |
|---|---|
Rwanda Gitesi | |
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe  | |
Burundi Kavugangoma  | |
Jamaican Blue Mountain Peaberry |
Can't decide? You can't go wrong with Nicaraguan, Kenya AA or Honduran Marcala!
Why Should I Drink Black Coffee?
Hold up a second, why is it that you would want to drink black coffee anyway? Well, I'm glad you asked, there are several reasons!
To Be Healthier
Black coffee has essentially zero calories! You have to be careful when using additives like cream, sugar, and even milk. Small portions do eventually add up!
Black coffee stimulates your metabolism more effectively too! So not only are you reducing calories, you're burning them more efficiently too!
I don’t know about you, but I like to drink a ton of coffee. Drinking it black keeps it healthy and guilt free!
To Experience The True Black Coffee Taste
What does black coffee taste like anyway? Well, it tastes like coffee! But if you don’t usually drink your coffee black, you may be surprised at how intricate and variable the taste profiles of different coffee beans can be.
Coffee taste profiles can range immensely depending on their origin, the processing method, the roasting process, and several other factors.
It’s important to notes that additives can quickly mask the natural flavors that are extracted from coffee beans. All of these wonderfully varied flavors quickly start to taste the same, which is really a shame!
"Get that away from me! Just accept me for who I am!"
To Look Down On Others
When you drink your coffee black, you can look down on anyone who doesn’t! Just joking, anyone can enjoy their coffee however they like... but it is kind of funny to bug people about it!
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How can I make the switch to black coffee?
Making the switch to black coffee can be a tall task if you’ve become accustomed to added sweeteners. Luckily for you, there’s no time frame, you can take as long as you want! Some things to consider when making the switch to black coffee are;
Take Your Time
Remove a small amount of sugar each day, or every few days. This way you’ll barely even notice a difference. As for cream and milk, you can do the same. Make sure you're cautious of the temperature of the coffee. Without as much cream or milk, you’ll have to wait a little longer for your coffee to be a drinkable temperature. Don’t burn yourself!
Seriously though, give it a few minutes. It's hot!
Drink Naturally Sweet Coffee
As we said before, different coffee beans produce a wide range of taste profiles. Some are far sweeter than others. The best tasting coffee to drink black is usually a naturally sweet coffee. That’s where we come in. Our list focus on beans that are naturally sweet.
Experiment With Strength
The strength of your coffee is determined by the coffee to water ratio that you use when brewing. You may find that you prefer a lower ratio when you’re drinking black coffee, because it will be less strong. This is easy enough to fool around with yourself! If you’re used to using 2 tablespoons of coffee per cup of water, try using 1.5 or 1!
An Important Reminder
Remember, if you just aren’t liking the taste of black coffee, that’s fine! You don’t have to drink black coffee! Coffee is meant to be enjoyable, so there’s no point in forcing yourself to drink something that you don’t enjoy!
If health is your concern, try to use sweetener instead of sugar and skim milk instead of a higher percentage. You can work your way down to a minimal amount and stick there!
If flavor is your main concern, try adding some alternatives to sugar. A little bit of cinnamon or vanilla extract can go a long way!
Fresh Black Coffee is the Best Black Coffee
This may seem obvious, but it is very important. While additives mask the natural flavors of coffee, they also mask the imperfections. If coffee has gone stale or was poorly roasted, you’re definitely going to notice it if you drink it black! In order to ensure maximal freshness and an optimal taste, we recommend that you...
Purchase Whole Bean Coffee.
The best black coffee brands will all offer a whole bean option. It may be less convenient, but pre-ground coffee will go stale much quicker. Always go for the whole bean option if you’re going to drink your coffee black!
Grind Beans Daily.
Let's assume that you drink coffee every day (who doesn’t?) It's best to grind up the amount of coffee that you plan to brew, and brew it right away. Don’t worry, you’ll figure out the daily quantity of beans that you need pretty quickly.
Use a Burr Grinder.
You've purchased one of the best black coffee brands out there, you grind your beans fresh daily, you're all set... BUT, do you use a burr grinder? If it all possible, we highly recommend that you do so. You can read all about the Burr Grinder Difference here!
Seal the Bag.
This probably goes without saying, but make sure that your bag of coffee is sealed! If the bag doesn't have a mechanism to create an air-tight seal, use a container!
The Best Tasting Coffee To Drink Black
Obviously, you can drink any coffee black. That gives you a lot options to choose from. If you're looking to make the transition into black coffee drinking, you may not know where to start. Here are our 11 best black coffee picks to get you started!
We’ve noted the availability of whole bean, ground and single serve options for each entry to save you the trouble!
1. Nicaragua Mycotoxin Free Coffee
Roasted By: LifeBoost Coffee
Roast: Medium
Taste: Rich, notes of chocolate & caramel
Nicaraguan coffee is known to be rich and sweet. This coffee fits the bill perfectly. Delicious notes of chocolate & caramel and are evident in this smooth, low acid cup. This one is for the health conscious, low acid coffee enthusiasts out there!
LifeBoost coffee is well known for their focus on health conscious coffee, and are one of very few roasters to test for mycotoxins. What are mycotoxins? Mycotoxins are toxic, potentially disease causing metabolites produced by a variety mold species. Needless to say, you don't want them in your coffee!
On top of being certified mycotoxin free, LifeBoost coffee is also pesticide free, organic, shade grown and fair trade! These beans are a little more expensive than some other options, but you truly get what you pay for here - LifeBoost even offers a money back guarantee if you're not satisfied!
Learn more about the health benefits of LifeBoost coffee and find discounts here!
Not available as single serve
2. Kenya AA Coffee
Roasted By: Volcanica Coffee
Roast: Medium
Taste: Rich, sweet, notes of wine, citrus and berries
Kenya AA coffee is widely considered to be one of the best coffees in the world. If you're making the transition into black coffee drinking, why settle for less than the best? The AA grading is the highest that Kenyan beans can receive, so only the biggest and best beans are included! This coffee is naturally sweet, with notes of citrus, wine and berries. A vibrant wine-toned acidity that is characteristic of Kenyan coffee adds some serious depth to this cup. Black or not, this is fantastic coffee!
Drip, Espresso & French Press Grinds available.
Not available as single serve
3. Honduran Marcala Coffee
Roasted By: Fresh Roasted Coffee
Roast: Medium
Taste: Sweet, notes of milk chocolate, walnut & lemon
Fresh Roasted Coffee is one of the few roasters out there that always offer whole bean, ground, and single serve options. Take your pick! Coffee from Honduras has seen a well deserved increase in popularity in recent years. This Honduran coffee is naturally sweet, with notes of milk chocolate & nuts, with a bright citrus-toned bite that sticks around in the finish. This is a must try for black coffee drinkers.
Coarse Grind, Drip Grind & Fine Grind available!
4. Rwanda Gitesi Coffee
Roasted By: Cooper's Coffee Company
Roast: Medium
Taste: Rich, notes of caramel, brown sugar and ginger
Competing with all of the amazing coffees of African is difficult, but Cooper's Coffee Company pulls it off with their Rwanda Gitesi beans. This coffee has a sweet flavor profile with notes of brown sugar, caramel & a touch of ginger. A delicious honey-toned sweetness makes this a fantastic coffee to drink black. If you are a fan of African coffee in general, you should definitely give this one a try!
French Press, Auto Drip, Espresso & Turkish Grind available!
Not available as single serve
5. Panama Boquete Coffee
Roasted By: Coffee Bean Direct
Roast: Light
Taste: Sweet, notes of fruit, nuts and chocolate
Many Central American countries produce some seriously fantastic coffee, Panama being among them. This coffee has a much milder acidity compared to your average Central American bean, despite being lightly roasted! This coffee has a strong caramel-toned sweetness. Notes of fruit, nuts and chocolate are also balanced within this tasty cup. The sweetness sticks around long after you finish the coffee in the form of a sustained aftertaste. This is a great black coffee option for anyone looking to make the switch!
Not available as ground
Not available as single serve
6. Ethiopian Yirgacheffe Coffee
Roasted By: Cubico Coffee
Roast: Medium
Taste: Complex, lime, floral & dark chocolate notes
Ethiopian Yirgacheffe coffee is another contender for the title of best coffee in the world. Considered to be the birthplace of coffee, Ethiopia produces some seriously high quality beans. This coffee is smooth, creamy, and complex. Floral, lime and dark chocolate notes are combined with a citrus-toned acidity. This is a perfect example of a complex coffee that will be appreciated most without additives. It would be a crying shame to mask all of the intricacies going on in this one!
Not available as single serve
7. Guatemala Antigua Coffee
Roasted By: Volcanica Coffee
Roast: Medium
Taste: Rich, sweet, notes of nut & chocolate
Here's another one from Volcanica! These Guatemalan beans showcase why coffee from Antigua is world renowned! A complex aroma of chocolate & nuts sets the tone for this rich, creamy cup. Both nut and chocolate combine with a candy-like sweetness and vibrant acidity to make this a truly distinguished profile. A sweet, lingering aftertaste completes this delicious cup.
Drip, Espresso & French Press Grinds available.
Not available as single serve
8. Mexican Chiapas Coffee
Roasted By: Fresh Roasted Coffee
Roast: Medium
Taste: Sweet, notes of pear, nuts & brown sugar
We couldn't resist including one more entry from Fresh Roasted Coffee. Again available as whole bean, ground & single serve. This coffee has a natural sweetness to it that is reminiscent of brown sugar. Notes of pear & nuts also contribute to the taste. This is the type of coffee that will keep you coming back for that third or sixth cup.
Coarse Grind, Drip Grind & Fine Grind available!
9. Colombia Huíla Coffee
Roasted By: Koffee Kult
Roast: Medium-Dark
Taste: Rich, notes of cherry, caramel & chocolate
Colombia produces some very highly regarded coffee, and these beans are definitely worthy of praise! It feels redundant to describe an aroma as aromatic, but these beans are definitely aromatic. When you smell the intense chocolate aroma, you'll probably agree. This coffee is rich, with notes of cherry, caramel and chocolate. The acidity is toned down here as compared to your average Colombian coffee, it would appear to have been replaced with sweetness! This is another great option, black or not!
Not available as ground
Not available as single serve
10. Burundi Kavugangoma Coffee
Roasted By: Mt. Whitney Coffee Roasters
Roast: Medium
Taste: Sweet, notes of brown sugar, tamarind & dark chocolate
There are numerous great African coffees to choose from, one of which is Burundi Kavugangoma! This coffee is naturally sweet and balances a number of notable aspects. Sweet and sour notes of tamarind distinguish this flavor profile from most other beans. A brown sugar sweetness and wine-toned acidity contribute to this complex cup. This is another coffee that needs to be tasted black in order to fully appreciate everything that is going on!
Not available as single serve
11. Jamaican Blue Mountain Peaberry Coffee
Roasted By: Volcanica Coffee
Roast: Medium
Taste: Sweet & clean with notes of chocolate, orange and mint
Okay, if you don't know much about Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee... it's expensive. Like, really expensive. While this is certainly not an every day coffee, it is undeniably fantastic black. It would be a real shame (and waste of money) to dilute this brew. This coffee sports a nice sweet taste, with prominent notes of chocolate & orange, as well as hints of mint. A balanced citrus-toned acidity is present, but the cup remains clean throughout. A pleasant chocolate aftertaste lingers long after the cup is complete. This one is best saved for special occasions or as a gift. It's sure to impress even the snobbiest of coffee snobs!
Drip Grind, Espresso Grind & French Press available!
Not available as single serve
And there we have it! We hope that we've given you a couple of new ideas! What is your favorite coffee to drink black? Let us know!
Have a coffee question? We may have the answer. Ask away!
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Thanks for pointing out that natural sweetness is an important quality if you plan on drinking the coffee black. I really enjoy drinking coffee and have been interested in trying more varieties. I’m glad I read your article because now I feel more prepared to seek out and sample good new coffees!
Hey Daphne,
Glad to help, and best of luck on your new coffee seeking adventure!
thanks