Oct 04, 2023

The Ultimate Guide to Black Coffee: What's the Best Way to Brew It?

Hi, I’m Brian, a coffee lover, blogger, and former Army veteran. I’m here to share with you my ultimate guide to black coffee: what’s the best way to brew it? If you’re a fan of black coffee, or curious about trying it, this article is for you. I’ll show you how to select quality coffee beans, choose the right brewing method, perfect your black coffee, and enjoy the tasting experience. Plus, I’ll give you some tips on pairing black coffee with food and introduce you to some of the premium offerings from Aerial Resupply Coffee, a veteran-owned coffee brand that delivers amazing roasts right to your door. Let’s get started!

Exploring the World of Black Coffee

Black coffee is simply coffee that is brewed without adding any milk, cream, sugar, or other ingredients. It’s the purest form of coffee, and it allows you to appreciate the natural flavors and aromas of the beans. Some people think that black coffee is bitter, harsh, or boring, but that’s not true at all. Black coffee can be rich, smooth, complex, and delicious, depending on how you make it and what kind of beans you use. In fact, black coffee can have a wide range of flavors, from fruity and floral to nutty and chocolatey. It can also have different levels of acidity, body, and sweetness. The key is to find the right combination of beans and brewing method that suits your taste buds.

The Foundation of Great Black Coffee: Selecting Quality Coffee Beans

The first step to making great black coffee is to choose quality coffee beans. The beans are the most important factor in determining the flavor and aroma of your brew. There are many factors that affect the quality of coffee beans, such as the origin, variety, processing method, roasting level, and freshness. Here are some things to look for when selecting coffee beans:

Coffee Bean Varieties

There are two main types of coffee beans: arabica and robusta. Arabica beans are generally considered to be higher quality than robusta beans, as they have more complex and delicate flavors and aromas. Robusta beans are cheaper and more resistant to pests and diseases, but they tend to have more bitterness and less acidity than arabica beans. They are often used in blends or instant coffee. There are also many sub-varieties of arabica beans, such as bourbon, typica, caturra, catuai, geisha, and many more. Each sub-variety has its own characteristics and flavor profile.

Roasting Levels

The roasting level refers to how long and how hot the beans are roasted. The roasting process transforms the green beans into brown beans that we know and love. It also develops the flavors and aromas of the beans by breaking down the sugars and proteins in them. The roasting level can range from light to dark, depending on the desired outcome. Light roasts have more acidity and brightness than dark roasts. They also retain more of the original flavors of the beans. Dark roasts have less acidity and more bitterness than light roasts. They also have more roasted flavors, such as caramel, chocolate, or smoke.

Freshness

The freshness of the beans is another crucial factor in making great black coffee. Coffee beans start to lose their flavor and aroma as soon as they are roasted. That’s why it’s best to buy whole beans that are freshly roasted and grind them yourself before brewing. Ideally, you should use the beans within two weeks of roasting for optimal freshness. You should also store them in an airtight container away from heat, light, and moisture.

Mastering the Art of Brewing: Brewing Methods for Black Coffee

The next step to making great black coffee is to choose the right brewing method. The brewing method refers to how you extract the flavors and aromas from the ground coffee using hot water. There are many different ways to brew black coffee, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some of the most popular methods are:

French Press

The French press is a simple and classic way to brew black coffee. It consists of a cylindrical pot with a plunger and a metal filter that presses hot water through ground coffee. The French press produces a full-bodied and rich brew with a lot of oils and sediment. It also allows you to control the steeping time and the strength of your brew.

To make French press coffee:

Heat fresh water to 200°F (93°C) or just below boiling point.
Grind your coffee beans coarsely (about the size of sea salt).
Add one tablespoon (15 grams) of ground coffee per six ounces (180 ml) of water to the pot.
Pour enough water to saturate the grounds and stir gently.
Wait 30 seconds for the grounds to bloom (release carbon dioxide).
Pour the rest of the water slowly in a circular motion.
Place the lid on top of the pot with the plunger pulled up.
Let it steep for four minutes.
Press the plunger down slowly and evenly.
Pour and enjoy your coffee.

Pour-Over

The pour-over is a refined and elegant way to brew black coffee. It consists of a cone-shaped dripper with a paper filter that drips hot water over ground coffee. The pour-over produces a clean and smooth brew with a lot of clarity and nuance. It also allows you to control the water temperature, the pouring speed, and the extraction rate.

To make pour-over coffee:

Heat fresh water to 200°F (93°C) or just below boiling point.
Grind your coffee beans medium-fine (about the size of table salt).
Fold the paper filter along the seams and place it in the dripper.
Rinse the filter with hot water to remove any paper taste and preheat the dripper and the carafe or mug.
Discard the rinse water and place the dripper on top of the carafe or mug.
Add one tablespoon (15 grams) of ground coffee per six ounces (180 ml) of water to the filter.
Tare the scale and start the timer.
Pour enough water to saturate the grounds and stir gently.
Wait 30 seconds for the grounds to bloom (release carbon dioxide).
Pour the rest of the water slowly and steadily in a spiral motion, starting from the center and moving outward, then inward again.
Keep the water level about half an inch above the grounds until you reach your desired amount of coffee.
Wait until all the water has drained through the filter.
Remove the dripper and enjoy your coffee.

AeroPress

The AeroPress is a modern and innovative way to brew black coffee. It consists of a cylindrical chamber with a plunger and a paper or metal filter that presses hot water through ground coffee using air pressure. The AeroPress produces a strong and concentrated brew with a lot of body and flavor. It also allows you to experiment with different recipes, ratios, and techniques.

To make AeroPress coffee:

Heat fresh water to 200°F (93°C) or just below boiling point.
Grind your coffee beans finely (about the size of table salt).
Place a paper or metal filter in the filter cap and rinse it with hot water.
Assemble the AeroPress by placing the chamber on top of a sturdy mug or carafe and inserting the plunger slightly into it.
Add one scoop (17 grams) of ground coffee to the chamber using the funnel.
Tare the scale and start the timer.
Pour enough water to saturate the grounds and stir gently.
Wait 10 seconds for the grounds to bloom (release carbon dioxide).
Pour more water until you reach 8 ounces (240 ml) of total water in 60 seconds.
Stir again gently and place the filter cap on top of the chamber.
Press down slowly and steadily until you hear a hissing sound, indicating that all the water has been pressed through.
Remove the AeroPress and enjoy your coffee.

The Key Factors: Perfecting Your Black Coffee

Now that you know how to select quality coffee beans and choose the right brewing method, you’re ready to perfect your black coffee. There are some key factors that can make or break your brew, such as:

Coffee Ratios and Measurements

One of the most important factors in making great black coffee is getting the right ratio of coffee to water. Too much coffee can make your brew bitter, too little can make it weak. The ideal ratio depends on your personal preference, but a good starting point is 1:15, meaning one part of coffee to 15 parts of water. For example, if you use 15 grams of coffee, you’ll need 225 ml of water. You can adjust this ratio according to your taste buds, but try to keep it consistent for each brewing method.

Another important factor is measuring your coffee and water accurately. The best way to do this is by using a digital scale that can measure in grams or ounces. This will ensure that you get consistent results every time you brew. If you don’t have a scale, you can use measuring spoons or scoops, but be aware that they are not as precise as scales. A tablespoon of coffee can vary in weight depending on how finely or coarsely it is ground, how tightly or loosely it is packed, and how level or heaping it is. A general rule of thumb is that one tablespoon of coffee weighs about 5 grams, but this can vary by up to 2 grams.

Water Quality and Temperature

Another key factor in making great black coffee is using good quality water. Water makes up about 98% of your brew, so it has a huge impact on its flavor and aroma. If your water tastes bad, smells bad, or has impurities, it will affect your coffee negatively. The best water for brewing coffee is filtered, purified, or bottled water that has a balanced mineral content. You can also use tap water if it is

clean and fresh. You can also test your water’s pH level and hardness using a simple kit or device. The ideal pH level for brewing coffee is between 6.5 and 7.5, and the ideal hardness is between 50 and 175 ppm (parts per million).

The temperature of the water is also crucial for extracting the flavors and aromas from the coffee. If the water is too hot, it can scorch the coffee and make it bitter. If the water is too cold, it can under-extract the coffee and make it sour. The optimal temperature range for brewing coffee is between 195°F and 205°F (90°C and 96°C). You can use a thermometer to measure the temperature of your water, or you can boil it and then let it cool for about 30 seconds before pouring it over the coffee.

Fresh Coffee being roasted in a coffee roaster

Savoring the Flavors: The Black Coffee Tasting Experience

The final step to making great black coffee is to enjoy the tasting experience. Tasting black coffee is not just about drinking it, but also about appreciating its flavors, aromas, and textures. Here are some tips on how to taste black coffee like a pro:

Tasting Notes

Tasting notes are descriptive words that help you identify and communicate the flavors and aromas of black coffee. They can be divided into three categories: aroma, flavor, and aftertaste. Aroma is the smell of the coffee before you drink it. Flavor is the taste of the coffee as you sip it. Aftertaste is the lingering sensation of the coffee after you swallow it. Some common tasting notes for black coffee are:

Aroma: floral, fruity, nutty, spicy, earthy, chocolatey, etc.
Flavor: sweet, sour, bitter, salty, savory, etc.
Aftertaste: smooth, dry, clean, crisp, etc.

To identify the tasting notes of your black coffee, you can use a flavor wheel or a flavor chart that shows the different categories and subcategories of coffee flavors and aromas. You can also compare your black coffee to other foods or drinks that have similar flavors or aromas. For example, if your black coffee has a fruity aroma, you can try to pinpoint what kind of fruit it reminds you of, such as apple, berry, citrus, etc.

Pairing Black Coffee

Pairing black coffee with food or other drinks can enhance or contrast its flavors and aromas. It can also create a harmonious or a dynamic tasting experience. There are no hard and fast rules for pairing black coffee, but here are some general guidelines:

Pair light roasts with light foods or drinks that have delicate or acidic flavors, such as pastries, yogurt, fruit juices, etc.
Pair medium roasts with medium foods or drinks that have balanced or sweet flavors, such as breads, cheeses, milk chocolate, etc.
Pair dark roasts with dark foods or drinks that have rich or bitter flavors, such as meats, nuts, dark chocolate, etc.

You can also experiment with different combinations of black coffee and food or drinks that suit your personal preferences and moods. For example, you can pair a fruity black coffee with a spicy dish to create a contrast of flavors. Or you can pair a nutty black coffee with a creamy dessert to create a harmony of flavors.

Becoming a Black Coffee Pro: Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve just learned how to make great black coffee in six easy steps:

Select quality coffee beans that have the origin, variety, roasting level, and freshness that you like.
Choose the right brewing method that matches your taste buds and skill level.
Perfect your black coffee by getting the right ratio of coffee to water, using good quality water at the optimal temperature.
Enjoy the tasting experience by identifying and communicating the tasting notes of your black coffee.
Pair your black coffee with food or drinks that enhance or contrast its flavors and aromas.
Experiment with different combinations of beans, methods, ratios, temperatures, tasting notes, and pairings to find your favorite black coffee.

Now that you know how to make great black coffee at home, you can enjoy it anytime you want. You can also impress your friends and family with your newfound knowledge and skills. But don’t stop there! There’s always more to learn and discover in the world of black coffee.

That’s why I recommend you check out Aerial Resupply Coffee’s premium offerings like their Coffee Sampler. Aerial Resupply Coffee is a veteran-owned coffee brand that delivers amazing roasts right to your door. Their Coffee Sampler lets you try four different roasts from around the world in one convenient package. You’ll get to taste different origins, varieties, roasting levels, and freshness. You’ll also get to learn more about the stories and processes behind each roast. It’s a great way to explore the world of black coffee and find your new favorite.

You can order your Coffee Sampler today and get 10% off your first order with the code WELCOME10. Trust me, you won’t regret it. Aerial Resupply Coffee is not only delicious, but also supports a good cause. They donate a portion of their profits to veteran charities and organizations that help veterans transition to civilian life. They also employ veterans and provide them with training and opportunities in the coffee industry. They are truly a coffee brand that cares.

So what are you waiting for? Go ahead and treat yourself to some amazing black coffee from Aerial Resupply Coffee. You deserve it. And remember, life is too short to drink bad coffee. Cheers!