Many coffee enthusiasts chase after the perfect method to brew a cup of black coffee. When made using fresh beans and the right machine, you'll often get a satisfying cup with notes of fruit, chocolate, and spice, all without the addition of cream, milk, or sweeteners.
With help from Mystic Monk Coffee, you can learn to make black coffee in a way that satisfies you.
Want to know how to make black coffee? All you need to do is follow a few small steps to make the cup you’ve been dreaming of. It may require some additional materials to make the process easier, such as:
A pour-over brew is a great option for brewing black coffee because it gives more subtle flavor notes and a brighter acidity. Here's what you should consider when brewing via pour-over:
First, "bloom" the coffee by pouring just a bit of water over the grounds, enough to saturate them without causing too much to drip through the filter into your cup or vessel.
Wait for around thirty seconds, then slowly pour the rest of your hot water in smooth circles over the coffee grounds.
After a couple of minutes, finish pouring and let the coffee continue to drip into the cup for another three to four minutes. By the end, you'll have brewed a fresh, delicious batch of black coffee.
The drip machine is the classic coffee maker for countless offices and homes around the world. Convenient, consistent, and if used properly, it can give you a great cup of black coffee. Here's what you'll need to brew:
Since only high-end drip machines provide control over water temperature and brewing time, the best you can do in this case is to control the grind, amount, and roast of coffee you use.
Finding the right amount of coffee grounds you use in your drip machine ensures you get a flavorful cup that fits your tastes. If you like it strong and dark, add more coffee than water. If you want it lighter and brighter, add a bit less coffee than water.
Most importantly, you will always get the best cup of black coffee from a drip machine when you have freshly roasted coffee beans (which you can get easily through Mystic Monk Coffee's coffee subscription service).
One of the best methods of making rich, flavorful black coffee is by using a French press. They’re simple to use, and when used the right way, will make an amazing cup of joe. Here are the aspects you should consider when brewing with a French press:
First, remember to preheat your French press by rinsing it with hot water before adding your freshly ground coffee beans.
This keeps the temperature steady and brings out more flavor from the grounds. Add two tablespoons of coffee per cup to the press in the ratio you prefer—a bit more coffee for stronger cups, a bit less for a lighter one.
Then, while the coffee brews, leave the press raised for around four to five minutes. This gives plenty of time for the hot water to be extracted from the coffee. Don't leave it for too much longer beyond that, or else it will overextract and give you a bitter brew.
For an even more convenient and modern take on the classic French press, consider our Monk Press for when you'd like strong, delicious coffee on the go.
For the top-shelf coffee lovers who are thinking of brewing espresso, you won't find a better way to enjoy a cup of black coffee. Here's everything you need to remember when making black coffee with an espresso machine:
Remember that brewing time is less under your direct control and more influenced by the grind of your coffee, as well as the machine's pressure and flow rate, which you may not be able to set in some cases.
To make your black coffee with a machine, preheat it first for around ten to fifteen minutes. This gives you plenty of time to grind to a powder using fresh, quality coffee beans.
Next, load the portafilter with your fine-ground coffee. Make sure it is distributed evenly, turning it into a level, flat puck. Set the machine's water temperature to around 200 degrees Fahrenheit (you can raise it a little higher for light roast coffee, and for dark roasts, you could lower it to around 198 degrees).
Finally, start the machine and pull your shot. Once it's all poured into your cup, enjoy it hot and immediately.
On top of our instructions above, here are a few extra tips to ensure you always make the best cup of black coffee possible, no matter the method:
A great cup of black coffee can make a huge difference in one's day. It's a simple way to perk yourself up, and it allows you to avoid extra calories from milk, cream, and other sweeteners.
Want to improve black coffee? Try one of Mystic Monk Coffee's flavored coffees, like our popular Royal Rum Pecan or classic Hazelnut coffee.
