Back in college, I was that guy preaching about black coffee purity... it was almost a badge of honor. Then I got older and my stomach just couldn't handle the acidity anymore. Adding a splash of milk felt like cheating at first, but man, what a difference. The flavor gets smoother and you can actually taste the notes instead of just bitterness. It took me a while to admit it, but my morning routine is so much better now. Letting go of that pride was the best thing for my coffee habit.
Oh, that "badge of honor" phase is a rite of passage. I knew guys who acted like adding milk was a moral failure. Now we all silently enjoy our smoother cups without the stomach ache. It's funny how growing up just means admitting that comfort beats pointless pride. Your coffee shouldn't feel like a punishment for being alive.
My local coffee shop in Chicago always serves their single-origin brews black first. I've found that with good beans and the right brew, black coffee can be smooth and full of flavor without any milk. It's not about pride for me, just preference. I like tasting the coffee itself, not masking it, lol.