Start your day with a strong and refreshing black coffee, hot or cold, to enjoy its health benefits. This simple, versatile drink, made without milk or creamer, can be brewed using fresh coffee beans or instant powder to suit your taste—perfect for warming up your mornings or cooling down on hot summer days.
Heat water in a saucepan over medium heat until it boils, which should take about 2 to 3 minutes.
While the water is heating, add your desired amount of instant coffee powder and brown sugar to a cup. You can adjust the sugar to taste.
Once the water has boiled, carefully pour one cup of hot water into the cup containing the coffee and sugar. Stir well to ensure everything is thoroughly mixed and the coffee has fully dissolved. Your comforting cup of hot black coffee is now ready to savor!
Preparing Iced Black Coffee
In a jug, combine instant coffee powder and sugar with cold water. Stir well until the coffee and sugar are completely dissolved.
Place the jug in the refrigerator and let the coffee mixture chill for about 4 to 5 hours, allowing the flavors to meld and intensify.
When ready to serve, fill a glass with ice cubes. Pour the chilled coffee mixture over the ice. Your refreshing iced black coffee is now ready to enjoy!
Serving
Enjoy your delicious black coffee, perfect for breakfast or as a pick-me-up at any time during the day. Whether you need a morning boost or an afternoon refresh, this coffee is sure to hit the spot!
Notes
Here are some expert tips to make your black coffee just right:
Customizing Your Black Coffee:
Choice of Coffee: Go with fresh ground coffee if you love a full-bodied flavor, or instant coffee for convenience without losing too much taste.
Grinding Coffee: If you're using coffee beans, make sure to grind them right before brewing. Coffee begins to lose its flavor shortly after being ground. For a consistent and even grind, which is essential for optimal flavor extraction.
Adjusting Sweetness: Tailor the sweetness to your liking with options like brown sugar, honey, or your favorite sugar alternatives. If you’re aiming to cut down on sugar, try reducing the amount gradually so you can still enjoy the coffee’s bold flavors.
Creamy Without Dairy: For a creamy texture without the dairy, start with an espresso shot. It's naturally thicker and gives a rich, smooth feel.
Brewing Tips:
Water Quality: Use filtered or bottled water if possible, as the quality of water can significantly affect the taste of your coffee. Hard water or water with impurities can impart off-flavors.
Less Bitter Iced Coffee: If you prefer your coffee iced but less bitter, brew it a little stronger since the ice tends to dilute it. Then cool the brew in the fridge before you serve to keep it robust and refreshing.
Cold Brew Like a Pro: For a truly smooth and delightful cold brew, steep your coarse ground coffee in cold water for about 20-22 hours in the fridge. This slow extraction brings out a smoother, less acidic flavor that's sure to impress. If you want to learn more, check out my dedicated post on making the perfect cold brew coffee.
Additional Tips:
Monitor Your Caffeine Intake: It’s important to keep an eye on how much caffeine you consume. To avoid health issues, try not to exceed 400 mg of caffeine per day, which is about the equivalent of 4 cups of coffee. This guideline is supported by health experts like those at WebMD. Staying within these limits can help you enjoy your coffee while keeping your health in check.