Table of Contents
Introduction
Many people required a beverage as a fuel to kickstart their day called coffee. According to their desires, some people like a mild and smooth coffee, and some crave the strong and bold taste of coffee, and because of that, usually people search for their making recipes. how make strong coffee is one of those main queries.
In this article, we are going to explore how make strong coffee and how you can achieve a perfect balance of strength and flavor. So, let’s dive in…
What does strong coffee mean
Strong coffee does not only mean the higher caffeine content; actually, strong coffee refers to a higher concentration of coffee grounds in coffee to water ratio. Also, it is a misconception that strong coffee is bitter in taste. In fact, strong coffee should have a rich and full-bodied taste.
Difference between strong coffee and bitter coffee
It is necessary to clear out the misconception that strong coffee is always bitter in taste, especially for those who are searching for how make strong coffee. So, the major differences between strong and bitter coffee are as follows:
| Strong Coffee | Bitter coffee |
| Strong coffee obtains by following: 1) Use right coffee beans. 2) Accurate coffee to water ratio. 3) Employing appropriate brewing methods. Result: Well balanced, strong and rich in taste. | Taste of coffee will be bitter if 1) Use stale beans. 2) Improper coffee to water ratio. 3) Employing improper brewing method or over extraction. Result: Bitter, harsh and overshadow in taste. |
Why do people love strong coffee
Usually, those people who want a rich and intense taste prefer strong coffee because strong coffee offers a bold flavor profile. Strong coffee has a deeper and more robust taste with earthy and nutty tones, depending on the beans.
Benefits of strong coffee
Before finding how make strong coffee, lets understand its benefits.
1. Improve mental health
Because strong coffee has higher caffeine content, it improves brain function, improving mood and memory, cognitive performance of brain hence it improves over all mental performance.
2. Boosts metabolism
Like improving mental abilities, it also boosts metabolism rate, like helping in burning calories more efficiently throughout the day.
3. Packed with antioxidants
Because it is rich in antioxidants, strong coffee protects your body against free radicals.
4. Enhances physical performance
Physical performance can improve because caffeine stimulates adrenaline production.
Basics of coffee strength
Let’s explore basics of coffee strength in order to understand how make strong coffee.
1. Coffee to water ratio
A stronger cup means more coffee solids are extracted. The most important factor in strong coffee is coffee-to-water ratio. For an extremely bold taste, the amount of coffee grounds must be larger than the amount of water in it.
a) Ideal Ratio
Some ideal ratios which are always consider for how make strong coffee, are as follows:
- Regular coffee: 1:16 (1 gram of coffee per 16 gram of water)
- Strong coffee: 1:12 or 1:15 (1 gram of coffee per 12/15 gram of water)
- Espresso coffee: 1:2 or 1:3 (1 gram of coffee per 2/3 gram of water)
- Cold brew concentrate ratio: 1:4 or 1:5 (1 gram of coffee per 4/5 gram of water also steeped for an extended period)
b) Standard measuring tool
- 1 table spoon: 5-to-7-gram coffee grounds.
- 1 cup water: 240 milliliters / 240 grams.
2. Coffee beans types
Another important factor that should be considered in order to understand how make strong coffee is the selection of the right coffee beans.
a) Choosing the right coffee beans
Fresh roasted beans
If beans have been recently roasted, it means the natural oil and flavor are still retained in it. As a result, maximum flavor will be extracted. So, for strong coffee, always prefer beans with recent roast dates on the packaging.
Dark roast
Some people think that dark roast may provide an extremely strong profile, and they are actually right. Dark roast provides a robust and smoky profile and is an excellent choice for strong coffee.
Single origin coffee
It is also experienced that beans from specific regions or farms, like Ethiopian, Colombian, and Sumatran beans, have a unique profile. These are popular for their rich and distinctive characteristics and can enhance coffee’s strength and flavor.
High caffeine beans
Those who are looking for a strong coffee profile with high caffeine content should always choose beans that have high caffeine content, like Robusta beans.
Robusta VS Arabic
We have two most popular bean types, Robust and Arabic, both have their own specifications which are as follows
| Robusta beans | Arabic beans |
| These beans have almost double the caffeine content compared to Arabic coffee. Those people who want a higher caffeine and nutty, bitter taste, these robust beans are ideal for them. | These beans are providing smooth, rich flavor with lower caffeine content, and dark roast Arabic coffee is ideal for those who want strong coffee without higher caffeine. |
3. Grind size
Grind size of beans is also one of the most common factors that must be explored to understand how make strong coffee. Basically, at the time of brewing, the grind size of beans defines how much surface area is exposed to water. Finer grinds extract more quickly and provide a stronger cup as compared to coarser grinds; it provides a lighter brew.
4. Brewing temperature & time
It is also important to focus on brewing temperature and brewing time because it also influences how make strong coffee. High temperature and longer brewing time mean more coffee compounds to dissolve, but it is also a crucial part because over-extraction can cause bitterness in coffee taste. So, it is important to follow a balance procedure.
a) Ideal water temperature
The ideal water temperature for brewing coffee is around 195°F to 205°F (90°C to 96°C).
b) Recommended time
- Espresso: Around 25 to 30 second.
- French press: Around 4 to 5 minutes.
- Pour over: Around 2 to 4 minutes.
- Cold brew: Around 12 to 24 hours.
Brewing method
The strength of coffee is varying w.r.t. brewing methods, and because of that, the brewing method is also an important factor in how make strong coffee. Some effective methods of making strong coffee are as follows:
Espresso machine:
With intense flavor, it produces a concentrated shot of coffee and is preferable for those who love robust taste.
Steps for making strong espresso
- Select espresso blend or dark roast beans.
- Grind the beans into a fine size for proper extraction.
- For even pressure, tamp the coffee firmly into the portafilter.
- Brew it for 25 to 30 seconds and avoid over-extraction.
French press:
By using the immersion brewing method, maximum flavor will be extracted as a result, and a bold cup will be obtained.
Steps for making strong French press coffee
- Select coarse grind coffee beans.
- For strength flavor, select a 1:12 coffee-to-water ratio.
- Steep it for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Now, filter the coffee by gently pressing the plunger down without disturbing the coffee.
Moka pot (Stovetop espresso):
A stovetop espresso maker that delivers strong and rich flavor, the same as espresso.
Steps for making strong Moka pot espresso
- Select fine, medium grind beans.
- Fill the base with water up to the safety valve.
- Add coffee grounds to the filter basket.
- Heat the stove and brew it until you hear the bubbling sound.
Cold brew concentrate:
It is also a method in which coffee grounds are steeped in cold water for 12 to 24 hours, and by doing this, a concentrated coffee base is obtained.
Steps for making cold brew concentrate coffee
- Select coarsely ground beans.
- Use a 1:4 or 1:5 coffee-to-water ratio for a strong profile.
- Refrigerate it for at least 12 to 24 hours.
- Now you can enjoy it concentratedly or mix water or milk to dilute it, depending on your preference.
Customizing coffee flavor
Now, after understanding the brewing methods of how make strong coffee, let’s explore some tips for customizing coffee flavor.
Dairy options (Adding milk or cream)
- Adding whole milk instead of water to add a sweet subtle
- Adding heavy cream creates a luxurious texture.
- Adding warm milk ensures the smoothness of coffee by preventing it from cooling.
- Adding frothed milk creates a velvety texture.
Non-dairy options
- If you want a nutty flavor, then add some almond milk.
- For a creamy and sweet taste, add some oat milk.
- If you want a tropical twist, then adding some coconut milk is the best option.
Sweeteners
Some common sweeteners that can be added to coffee are as follows:
| Natural sweeteners | Classic sweeteners |
| Honey Maple syrup Stevia | Brown sugar White sugar Sugar syrup |
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Conclusion
At the time of creating this article, our team was trying to add all necessary parameters regarding how make strong coffee in it, and we hope that after reading the complete article, the reader gets all the basic knowledge and understands all the necessary parameters and making steps of strong coffee.