Coffee lovers tend to fall into two categories: milk/creamer die-hards or black coffee devotees.
Drinking black coffee without adding sugar, sweeteners, dairy products, syrups, and other items that have become popular in the last few decades isn’t for everyone – but it certainly has more health benefits than when additional products are thrown into the equation.
So, if you want to add plain black coffee to your days, let’s look at the best black coffee.
Benefits of Black Coffee
While going OTT with caffeinated black coffee can have ramifications, drinking black coffee also comes with a multitude of health benefits:
- It is rich in antioxidants, which help cleanse our blood and liver, and can help prevent various types of cancer.
- Coffee beans are exceptionally good for aiding digestion, speeding up our metabolism (both of which can help with weight loss), and can even help alleviate flatulence!
- Coffee – particularly black coffee – is good for cognitive function and can even help reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease by up to 16%.
- Because coffee is rich in antioxidants, this can help prevent liver cirrhosis.
- It can help reduce depression – particularly if you drink four or more daily cups.
- It reduces the risk of gaining type 2 diabetes because it prevents a build-up of glucose in the blood.
- It can help reduce the risk of Parkinson’s disease (only if caffeinated).
Nutritional Information
A single serving of plain black coffee contains:
- Calories: 2
- Protein: 0 grams
- Fat: 0 grams
- Carbohydrates: 0 grams
- Fiber: 0 grams
- Sugar: 0 grams
- Sodium: 5 milligrams
Top 8 Best Black Coffee
So, without further ado, let’s look into our favorite black coffee options:
- Volcanica Kenya Black Coffee (Medium Roast)
Although these coffee beans are grown in East Africa, they are roasted down in Atlanta, Georgia, and certainly boast the southern comfort we all love in our food and beverages.
The flavor is rich (but not bitter) and offers a pleasantly sweet and fruity taste, which is perfect for those who love their coffee sans milk or creamer. Also, this product comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee, so if you decide this isn’t the right bean for your palate, you’re entitled to a refund.
Those with taste buds geared toward bolder flavors may find these coffee beans a bit too light. Although they are medium roast, the flavor may come across as a little on the weak side. The cost of this bean coffee is also somewhat higher than that of its competitors.
Coffee can be enjoyed without the sometimes unpleasant, unwanted side effects of caffeine, although many coffee lovers claim that decaf coffee “just isn’t the same” in terms of flavor. With this delicious Kicking Horse whole-bean coffee – we disagree!
These beans are grown in the great Rocky Mountains – a more sustainable and organic environment. On the contrary, it is packed with hazelnut and dark chocolate flavors, with a rich but mellow finish.
This brand also relies on the Swiss Water Process as its caffeine removal method, which eradicates the caffeine without the use of harsh chemicals, and also in a way that also retains the delicious flavor. As well as being organic, this brand is also Fairtrade-certified and fully kosher.
The only drawback here is it’s one of the more costly types of black coffee.
Arguably the most rock ‘n’ roll coffee ever, this black coffee is fit for the Norse gods and goddesses and was made to fuel the heavy metal god himself, Zakk Wylde, and was inspired by his riffs: smooth and powerful.
These coffee beans come from Indonesia, Central, and South America, offer a bold nutty, chocolatey flavor, and have high caffeine content. They’ll certainly boost you in the morning when you pour yourself a cup of joe!
Because the beans are grown in volcanic soil, they are nutrient- and mineral-dense, and when enjoyed black, they can give your system an influx of antioxidants.
The only bummer here is that these beans aren’t ideal for espresso machines, so if this is a factor, this one may be worth avoiding.
- Peet’s Coffee, Dark Roast Ground Coffee (Dark Roast)
Peet’s Coffee has been a fan-favorite since the 1960s. This 100% Arabica coffee is known for being consistently high-quality and has a strong, bold, full-bodied flavor, which is ideal for those who exclusively love to drink black coffee.
You can take your pick whether you prefer ground coffee or whole beans. It is also a good choice for those who like to indulge in espresso, cold brew, or French press. Also, Peet’s always puts the roasting date on their packaging, allowing you to be sure of freshness.
This coffee is a little pricey but has almost exclusively good reviews and is worth the money.
- Lavazza Super Crema (Medium Roast)
Italian coffee giant Lavazza never fails to disappoint. The unique selling point of these particular coffee beans is the ‘crema’ part, which boasts a foamy element and creamy texture.
Designed specifically for espresso, this medium roast coffee has hints of hazelnut and brown sugar, and has added cinnamon for additional warm flavoring. These beans are Arabica and Robusta and are fully suitable for vegetarians.
Reviews of this coffee are generally favorable; however, there is the occasional complaint of lack of freshness with this coffee.
Not only does this dark roast coffee taste amazing – it is SO aromatic too. And what beats the smell of fresh coffee in the morning?! Exactly.
These coffee beans are grown in the mountains of Nicaragua. They are completely organic, meaning they are free of pesticides and fertilizers – so there are no chemical nasties in your delicious cup of joe.
This winning flavor is so smooth it can also be enjoyed by those who typically prefer their coffee to have milk/creamer or sugar. It is also low-acidity, so it’s easy on the tummy and the bladder.
Naturally, coffee that is this good quality is going to be costly.
- Death Wish Whole Bean Black Coffee (Dark Roast)
Known as one of the world’s strongest coffees, Death Wish Whole Bean Black Coffee is a dark roast coffee guaranteed to give you a jump-start in the morning!
These beans stem (excuse the pun!) from the fertile soils of India and Peru and are packed with a cherry and chocolate fusion with an earthy finish. The flavor is intense, so those with more delicate taste buds should probably miss this one.
This dark roast coffee has twice the caffeine content of most other coffee types and should be enjoyed in moderation.
- illy Coffee Intenso Filter Coffee (Dark Roast)
Those on a budget who enjoy good-quality filter coffee will delight in these fully kosher and 100% Arabica coffee beans. Designed for coffee filters and French press, these roasted coffee beans are rich, smooth, and full-bodied and boast cocoa and dried fruit flavors.
Fans of instant coffee will be pleased to know this brand also does various types – ideal for the busy coffee addict!
Black coffee drinkers who like to monitor their carbon footprint will find that illy is one of the most eco-friendly brands and has regularly been nominated as one of the World’s Ethical Companies.
Black Coffees: FAQs
Which black coffee is the healthiest?
Those looking to forsake specialty coffee in favor of something dark, bold, and purely noir may want to look into Arabica dark roast as one of the healthiest coffee beans. It isn’t too high in caffeine and boosts nutrients and antioxidants.
Can I drink black coffee every day?
No research suggests drinking coffee – black or otherwise – every day is unsafe. Modifying the amount of caffeine you consume is important, as too much isn’t good for our hearts. Otherwise, as stated above, drinking coffee (particularly single-origin coffee) has numerous benefits every day.
What is the best light roast black coffee?
Dark roast black coffee can be a bit much for those in the early stages of their black coffee journey, so it can be good to look into light roasts. A particularly nice option is Lifeboost’s light roast coffee beans, which are healthy, sustainable, and delicious, and are known to be highly ethical coffee bean farmers.
Can I drink black coffee on an empty stomach?
There are no known issues or side effects related to drinking black coffee on an empty stomach. However, coffee increases the amount of stomach acid within our bodies, so those prone to acid reflux may want to mind their coffee intake.
Conclusion
Finding the best coffee to drink depends entirely on personal tastes and preferences, but hopefully, this guide has helped you get one step closer to finding your favorite coffee. Check this out if you want more information on making a great cup of coffee.
