You visit a cafe, and you order a Mocha, and your friend orders a Black coffee? Weird??? Nope. Why? It’s a preference, self-care or might be a DNA factor. The question is, how and why do people like black coffee? Is it natural or an acquired taste? Let’s see.
Here’s an interesting fact: Approximately 35% of coffee users around the world like their coffee black. That means that most people add something to make it taste better or smoother. But what about the people who drink black coffee? They really care about it.
So, why do people like black coffee so much? Science, personality, health benefits, and even your genes all play a role in the answer. Let’s find out what makes people who adore black coffee tick.
Table of Contents
Coffee Around the World: Who Drinks What?
People all throughout the world love coffee. Every day, people around the world drink almost 2.25 billion cups. That’s almost one cup for every three people on Earth.
But people drink it in many different ways. About 35% audience likes black coffee, while the remainder adds milk, cream, sugar, or all. More and more people are drinking speciality coffees like lattes, cappuccinos and the colourful concoctions you see on Instagram.
But things are different in India. Between 2023 and 2024, the country drank more than 1 million bags of coffee, each weighing 60 kilogrammes. But here’s the catch: most of the coffee drunk in India is in the South. People in South India drink three to four times more coffee than the average person in the country. Filter coffee is the most popular type of coffee in southern states like Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala, especially among people who drink it every day.
What about the rest of India? People drink more tea than coffee. Indians consume a lot more tea, roughly 1.2 billion kilograms a year. But coffee is getting more popular, especially in cities where chains like Starbucks and Café Coffee Day are opening up. Coffee is growing because young people between the ages of 20 and 40 are drinking it more, and instant coffee is becoming more popular in cities.
Finland has the highest per capita coffee consumption in the world. The average Finn consumes about 12 kg of coffee a year, or four cups a day. Norway, Iceland, and Denmark are next in line. The worldwide coffee market was valued at $269.27 billion in 2024 and is predicted to grow to $369.46 billion by 2030.
It’s apparent that coffee is growing worldwide, yet most people are adding things to it. People who drink black coffee are still a small, dedicated community.
It could be in your DNA
Do you ever wonder why some people adore bitter things, and others can’t stand them? The solution could be in your DNA.
Researchers at Northwestern University looked at more than 122,000 people and found something interesting: persons who metabolise caffeine fast in their systems are more likely to consume black coffee. This is why it matters.
If you metabolise caffeine quickly, it exits your body swiftly. You need to drink more coffee during the day to stay awake. Your brain starts to link the bitter taste of coffee to the spike of energy it gives you. Over time, the bitterness itself becomes a reward. You’re not learning to like the flavour of coffee; you’re learning to like how it makes you feel.
People who favour black coffee also like other bitter foods, like dark chocolate, unsweetened tea, and bitter greens. It’s a pattern.
People who don’t have this genetic composition find coffee to be too bitter. Their brains never make that good connection. It makes sense for them to add sugar and milk since it hides a taste they really don’t like.
This is why some individuals may simply adapt to black coffee while others attempt for years and never get used to it. Your body might just be built differently.
The Black Coffee Personality
Studies demonstrate that black coffee users often have particular psychological traits that go beyond their genes.
- They like simple things. People who drink black coffee tend to be minimalists who like things in their most basic form. They don’t need any extra flavouring or embellishment. They usually favour straightforward communication, functional design, and experiences that focus on substance rather than appearance, not just coffee.
- They have better self-control. Studies have shown that people who like bitter foods have better self-control. People who consume black coffee are frequently more tolerant of pain and more driven to succeed. They can deal with tough times without looking for comfort right away. It’s not about pain; it’s about being open to how things are.
- They think for themselves. People who drink black coffee are usually self-sufficient and sure of themselves. They trust their own judgement and don’t require anyone else’s approval for what they do. They are okay with going against the flow.
- They want things to be real. People like this usually don’t enjoy things that are phoney or showy. They like real events and serious talks better than small talk. They don’t always change how they act based on what other people think.
- They prefer intense things. People who drink black coffee often want robust, unadulterated experiences in many parts of their lives. They’re focused on getting things done and being productive, and they choose efficiency over pleasure.
A lot of people who drink black coffee say that their morning coffee is a time to think. They appreciate that time alone with their thoughts.
Of course, they are only patterns, not rules. Not every person who drinks black coffee has all of these traits. But the links are strong enough that researchers think that liking coffee is important.
Real Health Benefits
Why do people like black coffee? Some people like black coffee because of their genes and personality, but the health benefits provide them good reasons to keep drinking it.
- Black coffee contains very few calories. An 8-ounce cup of black coffee has only 2 calories, no sugar, and no fat. A fancy latte has 120 calories and 15 grammes of sugar. Over the course of a year, the difference adds up to tens of thousands of calories, which might mean 12 pounds of weight.
- It helps in preventing disease. A study that came out in 2024 says that drinking 2 to 3 cups of coffee per day can help prevent Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke. A study from January 2025 found that those who drink coffee before midday are 31% less likely to die from heart disease.
- Black coffee can also lower the risk of Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s by as much as 30%. People who drink coffee are 22% less likely to get Type 2 diabetes. It even helps keep some tumours from happening.
- Black coffee helps improve mental health. Coffee makes you remember things better, feel better, and react faster. It raises levels of brain chemicals like serotonin and dopamine, which help battle depression and tiredness. There is scientific proof that black coffee drinkers really do have clearer minds.
- Boost your metabolism. Drinking black coffee speeds up your metabolism and helps you lose weight. It makes your body better at using insulin.
- It is full of antioxidants. Most people get most of their antioxidants from coffee. It fights inflammation in every part of your body. Light roast coffee has a lot of good chemicals in it.
But here’s the important part: A study from Tufts University in 2025 discovered that these health benefits go away when you add sugar and cream. The study found that black coffee was associated to lower death rates, but the additions made the good effects go away.
If you want to get the health advantages of coffee, you have to drink it black.
The Flavour Grows on You
A lot of people who like black coffee say it tastes better. If you think black coffee is bitter, this might sound ridiculous, but it’s true.
You can taste the bean, the roast, and the way the coffee was made when you drink black coffee. No one can hide the inherent flavours of the coffee. Depending on where it comes from and how it is roasted, good coffee can taste like chocolate, fruit, almonds, caramel, or flowers.
- Light roast vs. dark roast: Light roasts have a little more caffeine and antioxidants than dark roasts. They taste brighter and have more acidity. Dark roasts are fuller-bodied and smoother. The natural sugars in the beans might even make them taste sweeter. Many people think that dark roast is more bitter, but it’s not. It’s just bolder.
- Brewing is important. varied ways of brewing generate varied flavours. Coffee that is cold-brewed is smoother and less acidic. Espresso takes everything and turns it into a strong shot. Each approach gives you a different taste and experience.
- The acquired taste is real. No one really likes their first cup of black coffee. Over time, the preference grows. After seeing it a few times, a lot of people say they like how complicated it is. What used to be bitter is now interesting. At the same time, coffee with sugar in it starts to taste flat.
Adding cream and sugar to good coffee is like washing down excellent wine for people who love black coffee. It takes away what makes it good.
Good Things About a Simple Life
Black coffee has useful benefits that make life easier every day.
Easy to use. No time to prepare. No measuring. You don’t have to wait for certain materials. You can sip coffee at any place without worrying about whether they have the milk or sugar you like.
Saves money. You don’t buy sugar, cream, milk, or costly syrups. Black coffee is always the least expensive at coffee shops. You save hundreds of dollars over the course of a year.
Better for your teeth. Sugar makes teeth rot and causes holes in them. Black coffee can stain teeth, but sweetened coffee might hurt them.
Works with any kind of food. Black coffee goes with every type of diet, including keto, paleo, vegan, vegetarian, and intermittent fasting. It doesn’t break the fast. No worries about allergens. No need to change your diet to fit.
Simple in social settings. As a guest, you’re easy to please. No hard requests. No feeling like you need a lot of care.
These benefits may seem tiny on their own, but when you put them all together, they make life a lot easier.
Why Black Coffee Is Not as Popular Anymore?
Why has the taste for black coffee gone down, given all these benefits? This gives us a lot of information about how people eat today.
Culture of Treats. For younger people, especially Gen Z, coffee isn’t just about the caffeine; it’s also about the experience and taking care of yourself. Fancy, sugary coffee beverages are now a way to treat yourself. Instead of being the primary event, coffee is used as an ingredient in dessert.
The Instagram effect. Black coffee by itself doesn’t look good in pictures or show off your style. Drinks that are colourful and stacked do. Social media has made how you look more important.
Obsession with customisation. People today want to be able to customise everything. By choosing the right sort of milk, level of sweetness, and flavours, you can express yourself through coffee. There is no room for creative control in black coffee.
Café culture. Coffee shops are no longer just places to get caffeine; they are now places to live. The drink and the experience are both important.
The change is different in India, though. In southern states, traditional South Indian filter coffee is still popular, but in cities, instant coffee and café-style drinks are becoming more popular. Most of the rise comes from people drinking coffee outside of the home, like at cafés with friends instead of at home.
But everything might change again. People are becoming more aware of their health. Economic pressures make the price gap between black coffee and fancy drinks more important. People might not like too much packaging because of environmental concerns.
Right now, people who drink black coffee are going against the flow. Their tenacity reveals how significantly heredity, personality, and health issues affect their choice.
How to Change?
Want to try black coffee but are used to cream and sugar? With the appropriate approach, it can be done.
- Begin with good coffee beans. Cheap, old coffee is really harsh and tastes bad. Fresh, good coffee tastes a lot better. Look for beans that have been roasted in the last two weeks.
- Slowly cut back. Don’t stop altogether at once. If you usually use four sugars, cut back to three for a week, then two, then one, and finally none. Let your taste receptors get used to it.
- Try different roasts. Medium roast has the best flavour because it isn’t too strong or too acidic. For many people, black is the simplest to drink.
- Try different ways to brew. If drip coffee is too bitter for you, try cold brew instead. It’s inherently smoother. You have more control with a pour-over. The French press makes coffee that is full-bodied and has a rich texture.
- Make sure the water is the appropriate temperature. The best coffee is made between 195 and 205 degrees Fahrenheit. Water that’s too hot makes coffee taste bad, and water that’s too cool makes it weak and sour.
- Make sure your tools are clean. Old coffee oils build up and make the coffee taste bad. Cleaning once a week makes a big difference.
- Be patient. Your taste buds change in 2 to 3 weeks. If you get past the first few weeks of getting used to it, you will typically find that you really like it.
But don’t make it happen. It’s completely fair if some people really like their coffee with extras. The point isn’t to drink coffee you don’t like; it’s to find out if you might like black coffee after your taste buds become used to it.
The Bottom Line
What is it about black coffee that people like? It’s a mix of genes, personality, being health-conscious, and like certain tastes.
Some people are genetically predisposed to associate the effects of caffeine with a bitter taste. Some people are drawn to it because they are minimalist and self-disciplined. Many people select it because it has true health benefits, such as protecting the heart, preventing disease, and improving cognitive function. These benefits go away when you add cream and sugar.
Only around 35% of people around the world like black coffee, but this group is different in both mind and body. They’d rather deal with intensity and complexity than make everything easier. They care more about substance than style.
The drop in popularity of black coffee shows how culture is changing to favour customisation and treat culture. But the key benefits are still there. Sweetened drinks can’t match the health benefits, cost savings, convenience, and flavour complexity of black coffee.
Your choice of coffee speaks something about how you deal with intensity, simplicity, and self-control. Black coffee and sweetened coffee are not superior than one other; they only meet various requirements and fit with different beliefs.
If you’ve never tried switching to black coffee, you might want to try using high-quality beans and preparing it the right way. You might find that you have the same genetic and psychological traits that make other people like black coffee. Or you could find out that coffee with sugar really is better for you.
In any case, you’ll have a better understanding of what you like. And you’ll see that those who adore black coffee aren’t in pain; they’ve learnt that something that seems unpleasant at first can become quite satisfying, a lesson that goes well beyond the coffee cup.