The only reason I even drink coffee is because of college. I managed to get through my entire 19 years of life without the stuff. But classes are demanding and homework is difficult, and late nights are necessary.

I started off with Bread Company coffee, which is an amazing dark brew bursting with a full, homey flavor. My life progressed from there to find the best cup of black coffee that I could find. I visited coffee shops, scouring them for the best dark brew of unsweetened, cream-less coffee. I love dark brews.

My standards for a good cup of black coffee:

I've noticed that the best cups of dark brewed coffee are made from freshly ground beans. Many of the coffee shops I visit that have the best dark brew are often the ones where the beans are ground when the beverage is ordered, the grounds placed in a filter and hot water is continually poured over the grounds into a beaker or a cup. The coffee, by this point, is beautifully fresh and robust, bursting with the beautiful coffee flavor. My favorite beans are often ones purchased fair trade from Columbia.

A review of Starbucks' black coffee:

Before I discuss Starbucks, the coffee tycoon of America, I have to disclose that their black coffee is, as I like to call it, "hot bean water." By no means is the coffee in and of itself tasty. However, Starbucks redeems itself in its creativity with drinks.

Starbucks' redeeming factors:

Creativity

While I must admit that I am a white girl, and I cannot, in any way, help my gender or my race, I don't necessarily fulfill many of the standards of the typical 20-something in America. I do have to admit to enjoying the glorified milkshakes that Starbucks produces.

I have to hand it to Starbucks, they are really creative in terms of curious coffee. I am kind of ashamed to admit it, but I really enjoy a caramel frappuccino. Their vaguely coffee undertones, coupled with the overwhelming amount of sugar and whipped cream, are absolutely delicious.

My typical drink, while it is black coffee, can get really annoying and tedious to drink sometimes. In the summer especially, it's really difficult to finish an entire cup of hot black coffee. Their iced coffee and frappuccinos are a great compromise between caffeine and milkshakes. Plus I think that, to some degree, the sugar and fats from the additives in the drink help me process the caffeine better.

Ambiance

I actually enjoy Starbucks vibes. It is decorated, oftentimes, in a manner that is an approachable amount of hipster. A lot of the other coffee shops are decorated with petrified wood and vintage advertisements and fairy lights, but the clean minimalism of Starbucks is rather refreshing in its own regard. It is as though the establishment is held to its own standard of class.

To Conclude:

Starbucks' black coffee is a sad shout into the void. However, what the coffee chain lacks in quality black coffee, they make up for in their specialty drinks and ambiance.