How to Make Strong Coffee: 5 Brilliant Tips & Tricks

We’ve all experienced the disappointment of a weak, flavorless cup of coffee. So how can you avoid that and make a strong, delicious brew? Here are five tips and tricks to help you brew a bold, flavorful coffee every time.

Top 5 Ways to Make Coffee Stronger:

When it comes to strength, coffee can be powerful in two ways: flavor and caffeine content. While these often go hand in hand, it’s helpful to know whether your priority is a stronger flavor or more caffeine. Either way, these tips will guide you to a stronger and tastier cup of coffee.

1. Choose the perfect beans

The key to brewing strong coffee starts with selecting the perfect beans. There are two major factors to consider: the type of beans and the roast level.

Type of Bean

There are two main varieties of coffee beans, Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are typically more expensive and prized for their smoother, less bitter flavor. Robusta beans, on the other hand, pack more caffeine but tend to be more bitter.

For a strong brew that doesn’t compromise on flavor, opt for 100% Arabica beans. If you prioritize caffeine, consider a blend of Arabica and Robusta—Robusta beans contain about twice the caffeine, though they add bitterness.

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Roast Level

For a bolder flavor, choose a dark roast. These beans are roasted longer, giving them a smoky, rich flavor. Popular dark roasts include Espresso, Italian, and French roasts. If you’re after more caffeine, consider a light roast, which retains slightly more caffeine but has a milder flavor, there are several other types as well including New Orleans, Viennese, Continental, and European.

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2. Make sure your coffee is fresh

Freshness plays a huge role in how strong your coffee will taste. Even the best coffee beans can lose their flavor if they aren’t fresh. To get the most out of your beans, use them within one to two weeks of roasting. After a month, they start losing flavor.

For the freshest cup, buy whole beans and grind them just before brewing. Coffee loses flavor quickly after grinding, so grinding just before brewing ensures a strong, fresh flavor. You can even try roasting your beans at home.

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3. Choose a great brewing method

Some brewing methods produce stronger coffee than others. If you want maximum strength in both flavor and caffeine, try using an espresso machine or a percolator, both of which create highly concentrated coffee. Methods like French press and pour-over can also make strong coffee, especially with the right grind and ratio.

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4. Think about your grind size

The size of your coffee grounds can have a major impact on how strong your brew turns out. Coarse grounds can lead to under-extracted, weak coffee, while fine grounds can extract more flavor.

For a stronger brew, grind your beans finely to allow for better extraction. But be careful: too fine, and your coffee may become over-extracted, leading to bitterness.

RELATED READ: Coffee Grind Size Chart: How Fine Should You Grind?

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5. Add more coffee

The simplest way to increase coffee strength? Use more coffee beans! Increase the amount of coffee or reduce the water to brew a stronger, more caffeinated cup.

For regular brewed coffee, the “Golden Ratio” is two tablespoons of coffee for every six ounces of water. For a stronger cup, experiment with increasing the coffee or decreasing the water. You can also try using a kitchen scale for precision.

This tip works with any brewing method. You can brew a double shot of espresso, use more grounds in your pour-over, or even brew two Keurig cups into one mug.

Conclusion

By selecting the right beans, keeping them fresh, and choosing a strong brewing method, you’re on your way to a bolder, stronger cup of coffee. And don’t forget: sometimes the easiest way to boost strength is to simply add more coffee. We hope these five tips help you enjoy a strong, flavorful brew every time!