If you’re a lover of coffee, you’ve probably Googled how to brew strong coffee or how to make coffee stronger after it’s brewed. Strength and coffee have always been two words that’s frequently used together. For a lot of people, strong coffee is the kind that wakes them up. This lends to the belief that strong coffee will have higher caffeine content–but coffee experts say otherwise!
Coffee strength and caffeine content are two heavily interchanged and misunderstood terms in the coffee scene. More than caffeine, strength can be linked to a coffee’s flavor. So what does strong coffee really have if not more caffeine?
Learn more about the differences between coffee strength, caffeine, flavor and how you can make the most out of your favorite drink in this article:
What is Coffee Strength?
Strength is a property of our favorite drink which refers to the concentration of coffee in water. Simply speaking, strength is affected by the amount of coffee you put in a volume of water. A drink with a 1:3 coffee ratio is weaker than a drink with a 2:3 ratio.
If we’re talking about strong coffee in this sense, then caffeine content isn’t at all related. The easiest way to wrap your head around coffee is to think of concentrates, such as orange juice concentrate. In the case of coffee, you can consider espresso as a form of coffee concentrate. A drink with more shots of espresso, therefore, is generally considered to be strong.
Does Strong Coffee Have More Caffeine Content?
A huge misconception about coffee strength is that it has more caffeine content. An even bigger misconception is that dark roasts are stronger. While some roasts are definitely more flavorful, their caffeine content isn’t necessarily higher.
Determining how much caffeine is in a cup of coffee can be tricky. There are many factors which can affect caffeine content, such as: the type of coffee bean used, size of the coffee grinds, and brewing method. Most experts agree that, generally speaking, mass volume is the best way to measure caffeine content.
Here is how these factors affects caffeine content:
Coffee Bean Type
Coffee lovers have several types of coffee beans to choose from and their choice somewhat determines the amount of caffeine they’ll be getting. Arabica and robusta, the two most common types of coffee beans used, have different caffeine content–even amongst its different variations. Between the two, robusta beans are likely to have a higher caffeine content and bitter taste, while arabica beans have a more mellow flavor.
Coffee Ground Size
Aside from taste, the size of coffee grinds can also affect caffeine content–although to a very lesser degree. This all boils down to surface area. Finer coffee grinds have a larger exposed surface area, making the extraction process faster and easier.
Extraction is a part of any brewing process. That’s where the flavor and the caffeine comes from. But coffee grinds don’t necessarily cause a drink to have significant differences in caffeine content or extraction–the volume and brewing method are respectively bigger factors in those aspects.
Brewing Method
Any coffee lover worth their espresso shot knows that the way you brew affects taste. But the varying brewing methods also help determine caffeine content. This is because methods that have a high level of extraction are generally expected to produce coffee with higher caffeine content.
If you like brewing coffee using methods that immerse the grinds in water, then you are likely to have a coffee cup that has higher caffeine content. Keep in mind that brewing methods aren’t the sole determinant of caffeine content–but they sure do affect your drink’s flavor. With the AeroPress Go Portable Coffee Maker, you can try out different brewing methods to see which has the strongest coffee, as well as the best taste and most caffeine for you!
Mass Volume
Caffeine content doesn’t significantly change simply because you used a different coffee bean or brewing method. While the two can affect how much caffeine there is, it’s bound to remain within the same logical range–unless you add more coffee to the mix!
An 8 oz coffee cup generally contains 80-100 mg of caffeine. While some coffee types have more or less caffeine content, the 80-100 mg is pretty much the usual amount that you get. The surefire way to consume more is to…well, drink more coffee. So, if you drink two 8 oz coffee cups, you’re effectively getting 240-300 mg of caffeine.
Coffee Strength and Flavor: How to Make A Strong Coffee Like Espresso
Coffee lovers know just how powerful a single shot of perfectly brewed espresso can be. After all, it’s technically a coffee concentrate. You’ll rarely see a brave soul that will take an espresso shot straight up–even fewer are people who actually enjoy its bitter taste.
While coffee strength and flavor aren’t directly related, being able to balance the two are quite important. Espresso is often used as a base for many coffee-based drinks. This is how many of your favorite drinks retain their strength, even with several additions such as milk, cream, and sugar.
If you’ve been wondering how to make your coffee strong like espresso without losing out on its flavor, then try out these brewing techniques using the AeroPress Coffee Maker:
Classic AeroPress Coffee
A classic AeroPress coffee is actually pretty strong–with the right components.
To get strong coffee using the classic AeroPress brewing method, you’ll need the following:
- 15 g (or 1 scoop) of fine ground coffee
- Water
- AeroPress Go Coffee Maker
Here’s how you can easily make this delicious and versatile strong coffee, perfect for black coffee or diluted as a base:
Step 1: Add the coffee grounds
Step 2: Fill with water, until it reaches the number “1”
Step 3: Sit gently and plunge
This recipe gives a powerful cup of coffee that gives you a morning boost. With 15 g of coffee, approximately 20% of the bean mass gets dissolved into the coffee. Additionally, about 30 g of water goes into the brew. This results in a coffee that has a strength of approximately 93% water and 7% total dissolved solids.
AeroPress Drip Style Coffee
Filtered coffee is a favorite among casual drinkers and connoisseurs. More importantly, it’s one of the brewing methods that allow for beautiful extraction, making it an interesting option for coffee drinkers that want to make their morning cups stronger and more ritualistic.
With the AeroPress Go Coffee Maker, you can create a modified filtered coffee that’s stronger yet just as delicious!
You’ll need the following:
- 15 g (or 1 scoop) of fine ground coffee
- Water
- AeroPress Go Coffee Maker
Here’s how to make drip style coffee with the AeroPress Coffee Maker:
Step 1: Add the coffee grounds
Step 2: Fill with water, until it reaches the number “4”
Step 3: Sit gently, push the plunger, and brew for 2 minutes
Once you’re done brewing, you’ll have a stronger and bolder coffee to jumpstart your day. While this recipe generally follows the same principles as drip coffee, its flavor is more intense. Despite this, you can still drink this coffee straight or diluted with more water.
Brew Delicious and Strong Coffee to Start Your Day!
Nothing beats a strong cup of coffee when it comes to jumpstarting your day.
Now that you know just what strong means, you’ve got the freedom to experiment and create the brew that’s perfect for you. Enjoy your coffee adventures, no matter how strong you want your coffee, with Curated!
