How to Drink Coffee Without Sweetener
There are many reasons why someone might want to switch from sweetened coffee to unsweetened coffee. Some are health related, some are not. How to drink coffee is a very personal matter and should not be subject to snobbery or judgmental comments. I’m not here to judge motivation, but if anyone wants to stop sweetening their coffee, I have a few tips.
Increase fat
Sugar, fat, and salt give food a delicious taste, and it is very difficult to reduce all three in one food. This is why the mass-produced low-fat snacks of the 90s were either highly salty or heavily sweetened (often artificially). Your production scale is smaller, but the same principle can be applied to your cup of coffee – if you’re trying to cut back on sugar (or Splenda), add a little more cream than usual. Like sugar, the extra creaminess will soften the bitterness and smooth out the harsher taste.
Turn on the roast
Accepting the actual taste of the coffee itself is an important part of this particular equation. Knowing that you prefer the bright citrus flavor of the lighter roast over the deep, rich flavor of something darker, you don’t have to hide unwanted flavors by adding sweetness. Most coffee shops offer drip coffee in varying degrees of roast (light, medium, and dark), and most will allow you to taste it if you ask politely. Try them black first to get a taste of the coffee; you can find a new favorite that doesn’t need many modifications.
Try cold
If you really don’t like the taste of coffee, try lowering the temperature. Cold food tastes more difficult, so adding ice can make the bitter drink tastier. (Personally, I can drink black iced coffee, no problem. I can’t say the same about hot coffee.)
Add cinnamon
Cinnamon is not sweet, but due to the association it suggests sweetness. This suggestion can distract your mouth and brain from reducing sweetness. You can sprinkle a little on your morning (or afternoon) drink, or add it to your ground coffee to keep the whole drink full of spices.