How Do You Take Your Coffee?

July 25, 2025

How do you take your coffee? For me, it’s sugar-free French vanilla creamer and a teaspoon of Splenda. My wife calls it a dessert. She drinks hers black with one packet of Sweet & Low. There are many ways to enjoy a fresh brew, from black to vanilla latte. However, none taste their best when brewed in a less-than-spotless coffee pot.

A Dirty Pot Makes a Poor Brew

It doesn’t take long for tannins, mineral deposits, and oily residue to build up in your coffee maker. Whether a carafe or a single-cup, a dirty pot makes a bitter cup. Bar Keepers Friend offers a Coffee Maker Cleaner to remove oily residue from your maker and a Coffee Maker Descaler that removes mineral deposit buildup.

Pro Tip: Has it been a while since you cleaned your machine? For deep cleaning, begin with the Coffee Maker Descaler, then follow up with the Coffee Maker Cleaner.

*BKF Coffee Maker Descaler is perfect to descale Keurig products!

How Do You Take Your Coffee?

There is no single “right” way to prepare yours. It’s a matter of personal preference. Many people enjoy it black, while others add milk, sugar, or other flavorings. Some common variations include adding cream and sugar or espresso-based drinks like cappuccino. Many prefer decaffeinated (does that count?). Some like half-caff (OK, sometimes I do.)

Here’s a Breakdown of More Popular Preferences

Espresso-based Drinks

A cappuccino is espresso with steamed milk and foam, while a latte is the same except with more steamed milk and a thin layer of foam. An Americano is espresso diluted with hot water, and a macchiato is espresso with added foamed milk. My favorite is a mocha, espresso with chocolate and steamed milk. Yummy.

Iced Coffee and Cold Brew

These chilled options are especially popular during summer months. Did you know that iced coffee is made by brewing hot coffee and then chilling it with ice, while cold brew is made by steeping coffee grounds in cold water for an extended period?

From Other Cultures

Many cultures have distinctive ways of preparing and enjoying coffee, such as Turkish coffee, which is finely ground, unfiltered beans boiled in a special pot called a cezve. Vietnamese iced coffee is strong, sweet coffee brewed over condensed milk and ice. We love this. Café de Olla, or as we call it, Mexican coffee, is coffee simmered with cinnamon and unrefined cane sugar, often in a clay pot.

The Best Way to Enjoy it is the Way You Like it Best!

If you love your morning cup of joe and can’t function without it, add BKF Coffee Maker Descaler and Cleaner to your shopping list. Don’t wait until your freshly made brew tastes like two-day-old brown water before cleaning and descaling your coffee maker!

Have you used BKF Coffee Maker Descaler, Cleaner, or both? If so, let us know what you cleaned with it. If you have before-and-after photos, you can upload them here.

About the Author

Randy Clark is a speaker, coach, and author. He publishes a weekly blog at Randy Clark Leadership.com. Randy is passionate about social media, leadership development, and flower gardening. He’s a beer geek, and on weekends (after COVID-19), he can be found fronting the Rock & Roll band Under the Radar. He’s the proud father of two educators; he has four amazing grandchildren and a wife who dedicates her time to helping others. Randy is the author of the Amazon bestseller The New Manager’s Workbook a crash course in effective management.