According to several studies, black coffee is one of the healthiest drinks in the world. However, you may dislike its pungent taste and bitterness. The drink is also stiff to many people’s stomachs due to acidity.
So, how to get used to black coffee? If you still cannot drink it, you are at the right place.
In this post, we have shared some practical tips that have helped thousands of coffee drinkers to get used to black coffee.
Why Should You Drink Black Coffee without Additives?
Before switching to black coffee, you need to know why drinking it is encouraged.
Black coffee is rich in antioxidants and helps protect your body against cell damage and disease. It is a good source of potassium, magnesium, and manganese, essential minerals for maintaining healthy bones, muscles, and nerves.
Additionally, black coffee contains vitamins B2, B3, and B5, essential for energy production, metabolism, and nerve function.
Drinking black coffee may help prevent cancer and reduce your risk of heart disease. Since it is low in calories and fat, it can be a healthy addition to your diet if you are trying to lose or maintain a healthy weight.
How Long Will It Take to Get Used to Black Coffee?
It depends on a person’s adaptiveness. But, most people take about two weeks to get used to the taste of black coffee. It may seem like a long time, but keeping your patience is worthwhile.
How to Get Used to Black Coffee: Effective Tips
You may go through a struggle during switching to black coffee if you are habituated to drinking coffee with a lot of additives. But, the following tips will help to avoid these challenges.
a. Reduce the amount of sugar and milk slowly:
Don’t try to change your coffee drinking habit overnight. The first step of switching to black coffee is slowly reducing the sugar and milk from your coffee.
b. Try black coffee with no sugar or milk:
You may find black coffee too bitter at first. But, once you are used to a less sweetened cup of coffee, start drinking black coffee with no sugar or milk. Remember that it is an acquired taste.
c. Take small sips:
A secret to getting used to black coffee is to take small sips and gradually increase the amount you drink.
d. Find a type of black coffee that you enjoy:
Many different brands and types of coffee are available in the market. Don’t give up if you don’t like your first type of black coffee. Try a different brand or coffee until you find the best one. You can also talk to a barista for a precise recommendation.
e. Try cold brew coffee before switching:
Cold brew coffee is less acidic than hot brewed coffee. So, it can be an easier option before switching to black coffee.
f. Experiment with different brewing methods and styles:
French press, cold brew, and espresso are popular brewing methods for black coffee. You should experiment with each to discover your favorite one. Besides, try different bean varieties and roasts to find what you like best.
g. Be patient and give yourself time:
Switching to a different taste of coffee can take time. So, don’t lose your patience.
How Much Black Coffee Can You Drink in a Day?
You can drink 4 to 5 cups of black coffee daily, which is the equivalent of 400 mg of caffeine. Drinking black coffee in moderation will benefit your alertness, energy, and focus.
In contrast, too much caffeine can lead to side effects and many physical issues. If you are sensitive to caffeine, it is better to stick to 1 to 2 cups of black coffee daily.
How to Enjoy Black Coffee?
Slowly reducing the number of additives in coffee is the key to enjoying black coffee. For instance, start by cutting the milk or cream you use. If you are habituated to having two tablespoons of milk in your coffee, try using one tablespoon instead.
Try reducing it to half a tablespoon when you are comfortable with that. You can also try healthy additives in coffee, such as almond milk or soy milk. They are excellent dairy-free alternatives and will make your coffee delicious.
Once you have adjusted to the taste of black coffee, you can start experimenting with different brewing methods and bean varieties to find your perfect cup.
What Are Healthy Additives for Black Coffee?
Cinnamon, Cardamom, mint, salt, ginger, cocoa powder, and vanilla extract are all great options to add to your black coffee. Each ingredient offers unique health benefits that help improve your overall well-being.
Cinnamon is a great coffee additive for those looking to maintain a healthy weight and control blood sugar levels. You can add Cardamom to coffee if you want to improve your digestion or wish to relieve stomach discomfort.
The refreshing flavor of mint also helps with indigestion. On the other hand, salt is a vital electrolyte to keep your body hydrated and functioning properly.
You can add ginger to coffee to avoid nausea and reduce inflammation. Cocoa powder, on the other hand, is rich in antioxidants and improves your heart health.
Vanilla extract is a delicious and healthy way to add sweetness to your coffee. It also contains vanillin, an antioxidant to protect against cell damage.
Adding healthy additives like these to your black coffee can help improve your overall health and well-being. So, if you need an extra boost, add one of these to coffee instead of sugar or cream.
What Are Unhealthy Additives for Black Coffee?
As a health-conscious coffee lover, you must also know about unhealthy coffee additives. So, what are they?
Creamers, artificial sweeteners, flavored syrups, cane sugar, and condensed milk are all unhealthy additives for black coffee.
These ingredients can add empty calories to your coffee and lead to blood sugar spikes. If you want a healthier coffee, skip the added sugars and go for plain black coffee instead.
Side Effects of Black Coffee
Drinking excessive black coffee can increase your blood pressure. Besides, it will cause dehydration and an upset stomach.
Some other common side effects of black coffee are heartburn, headache, anxiety, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.
If you drink black coffee in moderation, you have nothing to worry about these side effects.
Final Words
How to get used to black coffee – is a common question of many coffee enthusiasts. Black coffee is very healthy compared with coffee with additives. So, you should try it to get the maximum health benefits from coffee.
Though it is not an easy job, the tips mentioned in this article will definitely help you. Switching to black coffee is like a long journey. So, it will take time and patience for sure.
