I prefer it black, I've never understood the obsession with putting sugar, cream, or caramel in it. If all you're doing is trying to cover up the taste of the coffee, why drink it? I have the same feeling towards mixed drinks, if you're trying to cover up the taste of alcohol with fruit, why drink the alcohol? But then again, I'm a purist, I like my coffee black, my vodka neat, and my Marlboros red.