We’ve all experienced the disappointment of weak, flavorless coffee. So, how do you avoid it and make a delicious, strong brew? Keep reading for our five tips and tricks to make your coffee stronger.
Caffeine versus Flavor
There are two main ways coffee can be strong: caffeine level and flavor. While these factors often go hand in hand, you may want to consider whether your priority is a stronger flavor or a higher caffeine content.
How to Make Coffee Stronger
1. Choose the perfect beans
Great coffee beans are determined by two major factors: type of beans and roast level. To brew the strongest coffee, you’ll want to pay attention to both.
Type of Bean
There are two major varieties of coffee beans, Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans, which are more expensive and more difficult to grow, are generally considered to have the best flavor and the least bitterness. Robusta beans, on the other hand, contain more caffeine but have a less pleasant, more bitter flavor. For the strongest, most interesting flavor, look for coffee beans that are 100% Arabica.
If your priority is caffeine content, you may want to look for beans that are a mix of flavorful Arabica and caffeine-heavy Robusta. Robusta beans contain about twice as much caffeine, so adding them will increase the caffeine content of your coffee as a whole. Keep in mind, though, that Robusta beans also have a more bitter flavor, so you may end up trading caffeine content for flavor.
When you’re brewing a bold cup of coffee, lighter flavors like fruits, herbs, and flowers are more likely to get lost. For this use, you may prefer blended beans to single-origin coffee.
Roast Level
For the strongest flavor, you may want to purchase dark roasted beans. These are shiny, black beans, often coated with natural oils, that have been roasted for a very long time and have a bold, smoky flavor. Though you may be most familiar with Espresso, Italian, and French roasts, there are several other types as well, including High, Continental, New Orleans, European, and Viennese.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for higher levels of caffeine but don’t like bitter or overly bold coffee, try purchasing light roast beans, which have slightly more caffeine relative to their volume.
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