Best Coffee for Beginners: (How to Start Drinking Coffee + tips)
Should you start drinking coffee? How to start drinking coffee? Which is the best coffee for beginners? This and more in this article.
Maybe you took a sip of coffee when you were younger and swore you would never try it again. Or maybe coffee was a finals week crutch and haven’t touched it since.
Whatever your background is with coffee, it is no secret that for most people, it is an acquired taste.
The world of coffee is vast, and if you are just dipping your toe in it, all of the options, different beans, drinks, flavors, and coffee slang can be overwhelming at best, and completely stressful at worst.
Luckily, you don’t have to start your coffee journey alone.
Today I am sharing an in-depth beginner’s guide to drinking coffee, including the best coffee beans, drinks, and makers for beginners.
By the time you finish this article, you might just become a coffee expert!
Let’s dive right in with everything you need to know about coffee!
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Should I Start Drinking Coffee?
Before we check out some of the best beans, drinks, and makers to try, you might be wondering:
what’s the big deal with this whole coffee thing anyway? Is it just a trend or should I really start drinking coffee?
There are plenty of reasons to be cautious about drinking coffee.
It does have caffeine, and drinking in excess isn’t good for you.
BUT there are also some amazing health benefits that come from drinking coffee.
Check them out below!
Energy
It’s no surprise that drinking coffee gives you energy. The caffeine will help you to wake up in the morning, or give you a boost in the afternoon. But, drinking coffee is much better than consuming something like an energy shot or even an energy drink that you can find in any grocery store. Drinks like that are loaded with sugar and artificial chemicals, whereas coffee is a much more natural way to get energy!
Improved Liver
In this study, it was found that both regular and decaf coffee have properties that protect your liver and keep your liver levels at a healthy range.
Less Likely to Suffer from Disease
There are a lot of studies that suggest drinking coffee aids in preventing stroke, heart disease, colon cancer, among other ailments.
Process Sugar Better
Studies have also found that drinking coffee helps your body process sugar better, which can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes.
Helps Burn Fat
Coffee can also help your body burn fat since it contains magnesium and potassium. Both of these elements help the body use insulin, regulate blood sugar levels, and reduce sweet/sugary cravings.
And there are more health benefits where that came from!
Plus, drinking coffee is fun!
There are so many different types of coffee, and new ways to experience the variety of flavors (which will go into more depth later) so learning about coffee can actually become a fun and exciting hobby!
Great, But How Much Coffee is Too Much?
Another common coffee myth is that drinking any coffee is bad for you. As you can see above, that simply isn’t true.
But, there is a risk of becoming too reliant on coffee, which, like any addiction, can be a problem. But how much coffee is too much?
The FDA recommends consuming no more than 400 mg of caffeine a day for an average healthy adult. That would be around 4-5 cups of coffee a day.
Well, many doctors agree that two to three cups of coffee a day is okay, but drinking more than that would be too much caffeine for your system.
However, this can vary a bit depending on the kind of coffee that you drink. For example, if you drink a coffee that has a high caffeine level, you should probably limit yourself to one or two cups instead.
How to start drinking coffee when you hate it
If you just have bad memories of coffee, all hope is not lost!
While we will be going into the specifics of the best coffee beans and drinks to start with, there are also a few tips and tricks you can try to make coffee a little easier to swallow.
Add Milk and Sugar
The only thing most people can agree on if they are starting off on their coffee journey is the bitterness.
Coffee is naturally really bitter. Adding creamer/sugar is an easy way to add a little sweetness to your coffee, especially if you are hoping to train yourself to drink black coffee.
You can gradually cut down on the amount of sweetener you use to allow your body to get used to the natural coffee taste.
This simple trick will make you a coffee pro in no time!
Don’t Start with Black Coffee
As I will discuss a little more later, you do not want to start with black coffee if you are a beginner. Instead, I recommend starting with drinks that have additional flavors (like a latte or mocha).
Best coffee beans for beginners
When it comes to the best coffee beans, there is a right answer when it comes to the best beans for beginners.
Below I will be breaking down the best kind of bean, a few of the best regions that you can get your beans from, and more!
Stick with Arabica beans
Arabica beans and Robusta beans are the most common coffee beans that you can find, however, Arabica beans are typically going to be the better option for beginners. They are a bit lighter in aroma and less bitter, perfect if you are just beginning in the coffee world!
I like these Don Francisco ones!
Try Beans from Latin America
I recommend starting with beans sourced from Latin America first if you are just starting out. These beans are typically light-bodied, and sweet, so, when enjoyed at a mild to medium roast, are not as bitter or bold.
The aroma and flavor of the 100% Colombian beans, like these ones here, are pure magic!
Coffee newbie? Before buying your first bag of delicious coffee beans, don’t forget that the beans need to be ground with a coffee grinder.
Check this coffee grinder here. It’s fancy-looking but affordable. and perfect for beginners.
Try a Light Roast
When it comes to the roast of the bean, if you want a sweeter cup of coffee, stick with a light roast. This type of roast is fruity, and while it has a high level of caffeine, it does not have a strong coffee taste. This is perfect if you aren’t ready for the bold taste that a dark roast offers.
Best coffee drinks for beginners
Next, I am highlighting a few of my favorite coffee drinks for beginners, and why they offer a perfect foundation for coffee drinking.
Mocha
A mocha is an awesome place to start for non-coffee drinkers, especially if you aren’t a fan of strong coffee.
A mocha is basically a shot of espresso, milk, and chocolate, and who doesn’t love chocolate? These flavors pair well together because they balance each other out.
The sweetness of the chocolate balances the bitterness of the coffee. Plus, if you want to add another flavor, get a dollop of whipped cream on top!
If you have absolutely no idea where to start when it comes to coffee drinks, ordering a mocha is the best first step.
Plain Latte
If you aren’t a big chocolate fan, or you want a drink that isn’t quite as sweet, a latte is another great option for beginners.
Lattes include a shot of espresso, steamed milk, and milk foam on top.
While this drink will retain a coffee flavor, it will be more subdued than just a shot of espresso or a cup of coffee.
Vanilla Latte
If you want to take your latte one step further and move away from the coffee taste, a vanilla latte is a great balance.
The vanilla in the latte makes the drink very sweet and takes away some of the coffee taste that you’ll find in a regular latte.
If you want to try a good vanilla latte coffee, try these Donut Shop Vanilla Latte, Single-Serve K-Cup, this coffee it’s delicious and at affordable price!
Caramel Macchiato
A macchiato is a shot of espresso and a dollop of milk.
A plain macchiato will have a strong coffee taste. However, if you get a caramel macchiato, it balances out the coffee flavor with the sweetness of the caramel.
These caramel macchiato K-cups are the best! If you are looking for good coffee, which tastes and smells good in a pretty reasonable price you need to try these!
I encourgare you to give it a try, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed with such great flavor and aroma.
Cold Brew
Now you’ve made it into the big leagues. If you’ve grown to like all of the drinks above, I suggest trying out a cold brew next.
This cold brew coffee maker here, it’s affordable, easy to use, lightweight and perfect to effortlessly make your cold brew coffee at home without spending $5 for each drink at the store.
While these are typically served black, I recommend starting with some milk and sugar so it isn’t too bitter.
This is the perfect in-between if you are eventually looking to drink plain coffee. A cold brew is a bit smoother and sweeter than a hot cup of coffee.
Best coffee makers for beginners
If you want to save some money and make coffee at home, here are a few coffee makers that are a perfect fit for beginners!
Keurig Mini Coffee Studio
I love Keurigs in general because of their ease. These single pods make it super easy to make a quick cup of coffee in the morning and experiment with new flavors without breaking the bank. Here are a few reasons why this is perfect for beginners.
- Just Add Water: This maker keeps it simple. Add a K-cup and water, stick your mug underneath, and brew your coffee! It is user-friendly and simple!
- Inexpensive: This coffee maker is a cheaper option, so if you aren’t sure about the coffee life quite yet, this maker is not a big investment.
- Small: Another reason why I love this coffee maker is because it takes up a very small amount of counter space. If you are just starting off in the coffee world, this is a perfect addition to your kitchen and you can easily tuck it away into a corner or cabinet.
Mr. Coffee Espresso Barista
This coffee maker is a little fancier than the Keurig featured above, but if you are interested in cappuccinos, but your wallet isn’t interested in going to a coffee shop every day, this is one of the easiest and best cappuccino maker’s you’ll find.
- Multi-Functional: This coffee maker is a semi-automatic, 3-1 maker. You can make cappuccinos, lattes, and espresso with this one machine! That is a serious bang for your buck!
- Easy to Use: At first glance, this little machine might look complicated, but many customers say it is actually quite easy to use. The instruction manual that comes with the maker breaks down exactly what each button does, and what you need to make the perfect latte, cappuccino, or espresso every time!
- Self-Cleans: Beginners beware: cleaning coffee makers is not a fun time. The grounds seem to never go away. Luckily, this coffee maker self cleans! This is a huge bonus for beginners and experts!
BELLA Single Serve Maker
Like the Keurig single-serve coffee maker, BELLA’s coffee maker is simple, compact, and easy to use. Check out a few of my favorite features below:
- Perfect for Experimenting: The main reason why I love this coffee maker for beginners is that there is a lot of room for experimentation. You can use k-cups, but you can also use coffee grounds. This will allow you to try out some of the amazing beans I mentioned above!
- Fits Travel Mugs: This coffee maker has an adjustable drip tray, so it can fit mugs of all kinds, including travel mugs!
- Removable Water Tank: Say goodbye to filling up a water tank by filling up smaller mugs of water and hello to a removable water tank!
Hamilton Beach Coffee Maker
I’ve shared a few of my favorite single-serve coffee makers, but what if you want to make coffee for your whole house? Well, this coffee maker is the one for you! Check out what makes it special below.
- Versatile: I love that this coffee maker gives you the option to make a whole pot of coffee, but you aren’t required to. Since it is a dual coffee maker, you have the option to make a single-serve cup on the right, or a full pot on the left!
- K-Cup Ready: The single-serve side of this coffee maker is also k-cup friendly, so it is perfect if you still want to experiment with different flavors!
- Customize Brew Strength: Another awesome feature about this coffee maker is that you can adjust the brew strength. This is perfect for beginners if you don’t want to start off with a strong cup of coffee.
Conclusion on the best coffee for beginners
Coffee beginners, I hope that this all-inclusive guide brought you more clarity and guidance as you start on your coffee drinking journey.
As you start, make sure to try out some of the beans, drink, and coffee maker recommendations above, but you aren’t limited to just these options.
There are SO many amazing coffee drinks to try. This is just the beginning!
