Bitter Coffee

[Janette]

Since I have moved to Kenya from Atlanta, there seems to be a misconception about how black coffee should taste. I have been to The Java House and Dorman's and each time I ask for black coffee no sugar no cream I get this look and always the same phrase "oh you like it bitter". This is very annoying because the coffee I make at home is certainly not bitter... on the contrary, regardless of whether I get dark or medium roasts, the ratio of water vs. coffee grinds is what counts. Sometimes I have gotten coffee in a huge mug at a coffeehouse and it was like 6 shots of espresso....What the hell???

[Alun Evans]

Often its a cultural thing. I get the same response in Warungs and small cafes all over Indonesia, indeed also in Malaysia. In indonesia coffee is normally enjoyed black, but nearly always with sugar...a LOT of sugar. Kopi Pahit (literally 'bitter coffee') is what you need to ask for here well inadvance to avoid the elixir which would certainly accelerate any onset of diabetes.

[Steve MacDowall]

I enjoy my coffee back with out sugar / and I agree with you - when I make it at home it is never bitter but often even in so called good shops I will get a bitter mug. But I do not know why.