Over 80% of consumers said that taste was the main reason they consume coffee. Most people add sweeteners like milk or sugar to balance any “off” flavors. The dedicated black coffee drinker doesn’t have this luxury — so nailing the brew every time is critical to get the flavor of this traditional drink just right.
We’ll help you make the best cup of black coffee possible using different methods and explore the best-tasting coffee to use to make black coffee.
Here’s everything you need to know to make the best black coffee possible.
Method #1: How to Make Black Coffee With a Machine
A drip coffee maker is the most common type of machine used to make coffee. These are an automated form of a pour-over coffee-making method, in which hot water drips over ground coffee to make hot brewed coffee.
Tools & Ingredients:
- Drip Coffee Machine — Look for one with a metal or glass carafe.
- Coffee Filters — Available in paper, metal, or cloth versions and designed for specific types of machines.
- High-Quality Coffee — You can buy pre-ground coffee or use whole beans and grind them yourself at home.
- Coffee Grinder — Burr grinders are preferred, but blade grinders will work just fine too.
- Water — Use filtered water whenever possible.
Step-By-Step Instructions:
- Load your drip coffee machine with a fresh filter.
- Fill your water tank to the fill line.
- Measure and grind your coffee and place the filter in the brewing chamber.
- Start the machine.
- Pour your delicious black coffee into a cup and enjoy.
Method #2: How to Make Black Coffee With a Pour Over Device
This is a simple process using a device that sits on your cup. You add a filter, fill it with the desired amount of coffee, and "pour over" the water.
There are many different types of pour over coffee makers — the most popular include the classic Chemex or Japanese Hario V60 device.
Regardless of which tool you choose, make sure to get the corresponding filters to fit the device.
Here are the steps to brewing delicious black coffee with a Chemex — but the same process applies to any pour over device.
Tools & ingredients:
- Pour over device — Hario V60, Chemex, or other pour over tool of your choosing.
- Filter paper — Make sure to get the filter paper that corresponds with your brewing tool.
- High-Grade Coffee — We recommend using our DaLat blend for delicious pour-over black coffee.
- Hot Water — Opt for water just below the boiling point for best results.
- A gooseneck kettle — This device minimizes the washout when pouring your water, which provides a more even extraction and better flavor.
- A food scale — Optional but recommended for measuring optimal water-to-coffee weight ratios.
Brewing Instructions:
- Prepare your Chemex with a fresh filter.
- Measure and grind your coffee.
- Bloom your coffee with a small amount of water.
- Add the rest of your water slowly and wait to finish brewing.
- Give the final brew a swirl to redistribute and pour it into your cup.
Method #3: How to Make Black Coffee With A French Press
Also known as a press pot or plunger pot, the French press is simple to use and allows you to easily adjust the strength of your brew by changing the amount of coffee.
Tools & Ingredients:
- High-grade coffee — We recommend our SaiGon OG for delicious French press-style black coffee.
- Hot water — Opt for water just below its boiling point for best results.
- Coffee grinder — Grind your coffee fresh right before brewing for the best flavor possible.
Brewing Instructions:
- Measure and grind your coffee.
- Add coffee grounds and water to the pot.
- Wait 4–5 minutes for your coffee to brew.
- Plunge, pour, and enjoy!
Method #4: How to Make Black Coffee With An Aeropress
The AeroPress is a combination of a French press and an espresso machine, brewing coffee using a technique that blends traditional immersion brewing with pressure-driven extraction. It makes a remarkably smooth and rich coffee that’s also quick to brew.
Tools & Ingredients:
- AeroPress filter paper — You can buy disposable paper filters or use a washable metal screen (both bought directly through AeroPress).
- High-grade coffee — We recommend using our DaNang coffee for deliciously bold AeroPress black coffee.
- Coffee grinder — Opt for a fine grind when using the AeroPress.
Brewing Instructions:
- Measure and grind your coffee.
- Prepare your AeroPress by adding a filter & placing it over your mug.
- Pour hot water, stir, & count to 30.
- Press down on the plunger to extract your coffee.
- Pour into your cup and enjoy.
Method #5: How to Brew Vietnamese Black Coffee (Phin Filter)
Vietnam is the second largest coffee producer in the world, trailing Brazil, but it produces more coffee than the well-known coffee land of Colombia. So, it's no surprise that Vietnam has a coffee culture that goes along with their production of this treasured drink.
The Vietnamese have developed a particular style of coffee that revolves around the use of the more caffeinated and bold flavors of the robusta coffee typically grown here.
Most Vietnamese coffee recipes call for a strong, black coffee, which is then cooled with ice and mixed with condensed milk — however, many choose to drink this coffee black as well. Here’s how to brew delicious (and highly caffeinated) Vietnamese black coffee in minutes.
Tools & Ingredients:
- Kettle or a pot to boil water — you don't need anything fancy; just make sure it holds at least 8 ounces of water.
- Coffee mug — use your favorite coffee mug, travel mug, or a heat-resistant glass to make your black coffee.
- Spoon for stirring — any heat-resistant spoon will do.
- Ice (Optional) — ice is optional for those who would like to enjoy iced coffee.
Brewing Instructions:
- Measure at least 8 ounces of water and heat it to a boil using your kettle or pot.
- Grind your coffee to the consistency of sea salt (medium-fine grind).
- If you want your coffee cold, add ice to your empty cup during this stage.
- Assemble your phin filter by placing the filter plate on top of the cup, then add the brew chamber.
- Add your coffee to the brewing chamber according to the size of your phin filter. For single-servings, start with the 6 oz filter and add about 21 grams (3 tablespoons) of coffee.
- Gently tamp & even your coffee using the gravity press.
- Bloom your coffee by pouring just enough water to cover the gravity press, and wait 45 seconds or until it stops bubbling.
- Add the rest of your hot water until it reaches the top lip of the phin filter.
- Add the lid and wait for your coffee to finish brewing (5–7 minutes).
- Your coffee is now ready to drink!
Tips, Tricks, & Variations
Sometimes, you want added flavor in your coffee, so here are some suggestions on how to make black coffee taste good.
- Save Time with Vietnamese Instant Black Coffee — This coffee is made with robusta beans handpicked from the central highlands of Vietnam and expertly blended with monk fruit, a natural sweetener with zero calories. Each packet brews a single cup of coffee.
- Balance Flavor with Sweetened Condensed Milk — This traditional additive is the most common sweetener used in Vietnamese coffee.
- Go Vegan-Friendly with Vegan Condensed Milk — Vegans can make their own condensed milk using oats or coconut milk, and a bit of sugar (vegan Vietnamese coffee recipe).
- Try Other Variations of Vietnamese coffee — including Vietnamese egg coffee and Vietnamese coconut coffee—which is also available in convenient instant coffee packets.
FAQs: Black Coffee
1. What makes Vietnamese black coffee different from other black coffees?
Vietnamese black coffee typically uses robusta beans, which have a strong, intense flavor. Robusta beans contain almost twice as much caffeine as arabica beans. Vietnamese black coffee often includes unique sweeteners like the natural monk fruit.
2. How can I enhance the flavor of instant black coffee?
Ensure your water is hot but not boiling, and adjust the water-to-coffee ratio to your taste preference.
3. Is it okay to drink black coffee every day?
Yes, but be mindful of the caffeine content and drink in moderation if you are sensitive to caffeine. Coffee in moderation may provide health benefits such as supporting cardiovascular health and providing healthy antioxidants.
4. What’s the best way to brew black coffee?
Popular methods to brew black coffee include a percolator, French press, and pour-over, each highlighting different flavor notes. Traditional Vietnamese coffee is made with a phin filter, a slow-brewing drip process that brings out the best in Vietnamese coffee beans.
5. Should I grind my coffee beans at home for black coffee?
Yes, grinding beans at home just before you brew your black coffee ensures maximum freshness and flavor. It also allows you to adjust the coarseness of the grind, which will impact the cup of coffee you make. You can choose different grinds depending on the brewing method you’re using, as each one requires something different. Brewing espresso coffee, for instance, requires a very fine grind, almost like powdered sugar.
6. How can I reduce the bitterness of black coffee?
Bitter coffee is most often the result of low-quality coffee beans. Follow these steps to avoid drinking bitter coffee:
- Choose fresh, high-quality coffee beans
- Grind them yourself to the right coarseness for your brewer
- Don’t brew the coffee too long, which is like overcooking it
- Don’t make the water too hot—the ideal temperature is between 195°F and 205°F (90°C to 96°C)
- Make sure your brewing equipment is clean
7. Can I make black coffee with a coffee pod machine?
Yes, you can make black coffee with a pod machine. For the best flavor, use high-quality coffee pods and keep your machine clean.
8. What is the ideal water temperature for brewing black coffee?
The ideal water temperature for brewing black coffee is between 195°F and 205°F (90°C to 96°C).
9. How do I store coffee beans to keep them fresh?
Store coffee beans in an airtight container in a cool, dark, and dry place, away from heat and moisture. The ideal temperature for coffee storage is around 70 degrees 70°F (21°C), which is room temperature in most cases.
10. What is the best coffee-to-water ratio for black coffee?
The best coffee-to-water ratio for black coffee is 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee per 6 ounces of water. Adjust the ratio to your taste, as some people prefer stronger coffee.
