If coffee is considered black, how come adding milk to it doesn't turn it grey?

Question

If coffee is dark brown, why call it black coffee?

Answer 1

because the base colour is brown. blacks can have many base colors. there are blacks with a blue base, red base, green base, brown base, etc.

Imagine you are in a room with brown walls, but all the lights are off. The walls would seem black (assuming no light). now turn on a flashlight... brown right?

sorry, the short answer is...
coffee isn't truly black. it is extremely dark brown.

lol.

Answer 2

Black and white isn't always "black & white"! With paint or ink, black is a combination of all colors. This is usually difficult to achieve. Most paint and ink are a very dark blue, brown, or purple. This can be proven by adding white to the paint or ink and seeing the color it becomes. ( Yes, there are quite a few paints and inks that are truely black, but there are just as many that aren't! )

Regarding light, black is the absence of light, and white is a combination of all colors.

Coffee is actually dark brown in color. By adding the white cream or milk, it just makes the brown lighter.

I drink my coffee "black" with an artificial sweetener.

Answer 3

The term "black coffee" means without milk or cream.

Answer 4

Why call black people black? Does brown coffee sound more appetizing? That didn't make sense but whatever.

Answer 5

because coffee is a dark brown color not black

Answer 6

I like your question! LoL!

Make me think too...is coffee even black in the first place?

Answer 7

Some of our ancestors have called it as BLACK COFFEE, and it just stayed on. so give respect to the idea. period.

you were supposed to call it PINK COFFEE had they named it that way!!

Now sweetheart, you name something that people will call it like that FOREVER.

quite challenging!!? did not occur to me either!!

Now, Dont name your cat as ***** and claim that!!!

hope i did not hurt you? sorry if i did

Muah

Answer 8

Coffee's actually a darkish, brownish color so it's close to black so when you add milk it becomes a lightish, brownish color.

Answer 9

Hey, a smart aleck! No coffee for you, kid.

(Actually, a very good point, and I laughed when I read it!)

Answer 10

Because if it were called brown, you'd have to ask for varying shades of brown instead of black or black and white, etc.

Make mine a tawny burnt sienna please!