Fall In Love With Black Coffee

When people adopt a paleo lifestyle one of the biggest concerns is their cup of coffee. A traditional paleo diet eliminates sugar, artificial sweeteners, and dairy. Since most people drink coffee in the morning, and most of them do not drink black coffee, they feel lost when it comes to their morning ritual. I used to be one of those people. Before I went paleo I enjoyed my coffee with half and half and sugar. Now that I’ve gotten used to black coffee I feel like the coffee is missing when anything is added to it.

Don't dilute good coffee by adding nonsense to it. Click to Tweet

Step 1: Buy Good Coffee

If you want to enjoy your black coffee you have to buy good coffee. I’m not talking about some over the top expensive stuff. Even in the cheapest supermarket I can find organic whole beans in the bulk food section. Plus, they’re the same price as the non-organic whole beans. It’s kind of a no-brainer since coffee is one of the most heavily sprayed crops. Heck, even Costco has big bags of whole bean organic coffee.

Why do I advocate for organic?

1. It’s better for the planet and the farmers who grow it.
2. Back when my little was little, a time when I drank the most coffee, I discovered that coffee made me dizzy. Dizzy to the point that I went to see a physician. She simply told me to drink more water but I knew that it wasn’t a water issue. As it turns out, coffee that isn’t organic makes me dizzy, like dizzy all day, and no one has time for that.

If you’re buying decaffeinated look for Swiss water process organic coffee. It’s coffee that has been decaffeinated with water instead of chemicals.

Step 2: Get The Right Roast

Coffee roasts fall into 4 categories: Light | Medium | Medium Dark | Dark

If you’re worried about bitterness I recommend starting with a lighter roast. Light roasts are generally milder and contain the least amount of bitterness. Look for the roasting level before purchasing your beans.

Medium roasts will have a slightly stronger flavor than light roasts. This is the typical roast that is found most places in America. If you’re looking for a smooth coffee without too much bitterness but also a decent amount of flavor I recommend a Breakfast Blend. Most coffee brands offer a breakfast blend. I think it’s a great place to start and then you can adjust the roasting level from there.

A medium dark roast will have a bit more bitterness than a medium roast.

As I’ve learned to appreciate good black coffee dark roasts have become my absolute favorite. To me, a perfect cup of coffee is loaded with rich flavor but at the same time not bitter. What’s interesting is that darker roasts have less acidity and also slightly less caffeine than a light roast. French roasts and Espresso roasts are 2 popular roasts that are found in most brands.

Step 3: Grind Your Own Beans

When you buy coffee that has already been ground it often produces a bitter cup of coffee. This is most likely because the coffee is ground too finely. Good coffee is smooth and not bitter and the second step to brewing the perfect cup is to get the grind correct. If the beans are lightly ground you likely won’t get much flavor out of them. Conversely if you over grind your beans to a uniform powder you’re going to get a bitter cup.

Grinders like the one pictured on the right run about $20. I used to have a Cuisinart that looked like this one and it lasted forever. The one I have now has a cup with a cover over it, but there’s a space between the cup and the cover so it gets filled with coffee dust. Grinders that are 1 piece with cup and lid I think are are less messy.

I like to grind mine somewhere in between like the coffee on the right in the picture below. The coffee on the left was already ground when I bought it.

 

Step 4: Use A French Press

I’ve owned coffee makers in the past and they all develop a coffee residue.  The residue that gets left behind will make your coffee bitter. Plus you either have to keep buying filters and/or re-using the same reusable filter that’s likely also contributing a bitter flavor.

A French press keeps it simple. All you need is coffee, hot water, and a french press. I recommend a press made out of glass to prevent any potential plastic contamination.

Presses come in various sizes but the serving sizes, in my opinion, are a bit misleading. The 34 oz size pictured on the left is considered an 8 cup pot. I like big mugs so for me this is easily 2 cups of coffee.

Of course they make French presses with a variety of attributes.

This one holds 51 oz which is considered 12 cups based on a 4 oz coffee size.

They also make insulated varieties to help keep your brew warm.

Pro Tip: If you happen to break the glass of your French press don’t throw the whole thing away. Throw out the glass and simply replace it.

Step 5: The Correct Water Temperature

According to the National Coffee Association, 195°F to 205°F is ideal for optimal extraction. If you have an electric pot that allows you to choose the perfect temp then give it a try. I’m not that particular. Sometimes I’ll catch the teapot on the stove just before it begins to steam. Other times I’ll let it sit while I grind the beans. Most days, I simply pour the boiling water on the coffee 212°F. I added this step for those who are concerned with the particulars.

Step 6: Brewing Time

When you get your French press you’ll see that the recommended brewing time is 4 minutes. Add your coffee to the pot, add the water, stir with a silicone or wooden spatula, and place the lid on top. Then wait 4 minutes before pushing the plunger down to separate the coffee grounds. The longer the coffee sits the stronger it will become. If you’re concerned about it pour the remaining coffee into a travel mug to keep it warm. I don’t mind a stronger brew so I wrap my French press with a kitchen towel to help keep it warm while I drink my first cup.

Enjoy Black Coffee

Years ago if you would have suggested black coffee to me I would have turned my nose up at it; now it’s what I drink most days. Pre-ground coffee that’s been put through an old coffee maker still doesn’t taste good to me today. I’m a firm believer in the steps above. Quality beans, grinding them yourself, and a coffee maker that doesn’t get funky: these are the top 3 keys to making a cup of black coffee that you will enjoy.

Originally posted on July 28, 2019 @ 20:10

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