The Best Black Hair Tongue References. Web black hairy tongue may be caused by tobacco, tea, or coffee. However, when biopsies have been taken, the histologic appearance is one of marked elongation and hyperparakeratosis of the filiform papillae and numerous bacteria growing on the epithelial surface.

It results in a dark, furry appearance. Black discoloration of the tongue, although the color may be brown, tan, green, yellow or white 2. Black hairy tongue is often caused by an overgrowth of papillae (taste buds) on the tongue.