We all know that morning feeling of being too tired but having to get up and get going. It could be a clock-watching boss, or you drank a couple too many drinks last night. You just need to get your head back in the game. That’s where the strongest coffee comes in. Just a few sips of a potent coffee can wake you up and fire you up for the day ahead.
First, we need to be clear on what exactly is strong coffee.
How do you define “strongest coffee”?
Caffeine level
Caffeine is a natural stimulant found in coffee beans. The caffeine content in coffee can vary depending on the type of bean, the roasting process, and how the coffee is brewed. An average cup of joe can have anywhere from 30-175mg of caffeine. Putting it simply:
More caffeine = a bigger energy boost.
Coffee to water ratio
The water-to-coffee ratio is another important factor in brewing coffee. If you use too much water, the coffee will taste weak and watery. If you use too little water, the coffee will be strong and concentrated. For a regular cup of coffee, the ratio is around 2 tablespoons (10 grams) of coffee to 6 ounces (180 ml) of water.
A standard espresso recipe uses 1 gram of ground espresso for every 1ml of water. You can change this depending on the type of espresso beans used, the strength and flavor you want to achieve and the water temperature and pressure settings used to pull shots.
Flavor
Some people like their coffee strong and full of flavor. Others prefer a calmer tasting brew. It all comes down to personal choice. There are a few ways you can change how your coffee tastes. Such as using a higher quality bean, grinding the beans finer, or using less water.
Strongest coffee in the world
If you’re looking for the strongest coffee in the world, you’ll want to check out my list of tried and fearsome brews.
The strongest coffee beans you can buy
The strongest coffee beans you can buy are from the caffeine-rich Robusta variety. These beans have twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans, which are the more common type of coffee bean.
When it comes to making a strong cup of coffee, it’s all about finding the right balance of caffeine, flavor, and water. By using a higher quality bean and grinding it finer, you can make a strong cup of coffee that is full of flavor.
Top 5 strongest coffees you can legally buy
Looking for a coffee that’s guaranteed to wake you up in the morning? If so, check out my list of the top 5 strongest coffees you can legally buy. From small-batch roasts to blends with added caffeine, these coffees will give you the energy boost you need to start your day.
- High Voltage Extreme Caffeine Whole Bean Coffee: has an astonishing 1150mg of caffeine per 12oz cup. As independently lab tested by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, National Measure Institute.
- Black Insomnia Coffee: long-time considered the world’s highest caffeine content, with a staggering, independently verified 1105mg of caffeine per 12 oz cup. It’s barrel roasted in small batches, giving the beans outstanding strength and a full deep flavor to back it up.
- Biohazard Coffee: coming in at 928 mg/12 oz cup. 100% robusta coffee so it’s strong but does it have a full rich flavor? It’s tempting to say who cares, so long as it gets the job done?
- Death Wish Coffee: its caffeine content has been independently tested at between 650 – 728mg of caffeine per 12 oz cup. If its good enough for astronauts it’s good enough for me. A special freeze-dried Death Wish Coffee was created and sent to the International Space station to fuel astronauts.
- Killer Bean Reserve Extra Dark Roast: 609 mg/12 oz cup. Roast in Australia from 100% arabica beans. So it’s strong dark and has great flavor with hints of nuts and chocolate with a less bitter aftertaste than robusta coffees.
How to make really strong coffee
The strength of the final brew is a combination of several things. To make really strong coffee, you’ll need to start with a high-quality coffee bean, pick any of the great coffees I recommended above.
They all have incredible caffeine content and flavor tilted towards the deep dark side. So you will really know you are getting the full experience.
Brewing method
Next, you need to decide on the brewing method. If you have choices, I recommend working through your different coffee makers. Trying a different one each day, you will soon know which gives you the effect you are looking for.
For me, I like the full-on AeroPress experience. Though a bean-to-cup espresso machine really takes the effort out of the job. And you know there are times when your best bet is to push the button and wait for your coffee to magically appear.
If you don’t have an espresso machine, you need to know what grind size, how much water to coffee and how long to brew.
Grind size
Grind your coffee beans to a size that suits your brewing method. So with a French press, grind to the size of coarse salt and brew for 4-5 minutes. This allows more of the flavor and caffeine in the grounds to be extracted during brewing. AeroPress needs a finer grind (aim for the size of grains of sand) and a shorter brew time around 2-3 minutes.
Coffee to water ratio
I would start with a standard coffee-to-water ratio of 1:6, so for every 10 grams of coffee use 60 grams of water. If that tastes too strong, move up gradually to 1:7 or 1:8. But if 1:6 doesn’t get you there try 1:5 or even 1:4.
In a caffeine emergency, you can use an espresso ratio of 1:1, 20 grams of coffee to 20 ml of water. It will be shockingly strong. For me, that is a step too far and I normally settle on around 1:6 (20 grams of coffee to 120 ml of water. Its drinkable gets me up and going and there’s enough space for the flavors to come through without just tasting strong.
What are the strongest espresso beans
What type of beans are used for making espresso?
There are many different types of espresso beans, but the two most popular are Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans are grown at high altitudes and have a sweeter taste, while Robusta beans are lower in quality and have a harsher flavor. Normally, Arabica-robusta blends are used for making espresso because they produce a balanced flavor and creamy texture with a good amount of caffeine. That said, some roasters may specialize in single origin espresso beans, such as 100% Arabica or 100% Robusta. A simple rule of thumb is:
- more Arabica = richer flavor.
- more Robusta = more caffeine
Easy strong coffee
The strongest coffee you can buy at Starbucks
Don’t forget Starbucks when you are in town and need a caffeine hit. Their coffees are not in the ultimate strong league. But, when I’m in town, Starbucks gives me the caffeine boost I need to carry on.
Not sure which coffee to buy in Starbucks for a caffeine lift? Check out my list of the 10 best options:
- Nitro cold brew – 280mg of caffeine per 12 fl oz.
- Blonde Roast – 260mg of caffeine per 12 fl oz.
- Starbucks Pike Place Roast – 235 mg of caffeine per 12 fl oz.
- Veranda Blend – 200 mg of caffeine per 12 fl oz.
- Espresso Roast – 175 mg of caffeine per 12 fl oz.
- Caffe Americano – 150-180 mg of caffeine per grande cup.
- Caramel Macchiato– 115-175 mg of caffeine per grande cup.
- Latte Macchiato– 75-120 mg of caffeine per grande cup.
- Cappuccino– 75-150 mg of caffeine per grande cup.
- Frappuccino® Blended Beverages– 25-170 mg of caffeine.
K Cup Death Wish coffee
Coming in at around 400-420mg of caffeine per pod, this is one serious option.
K-Cup coffee pods are pre-measured and sealed for freshness and flavor. Brewing is simple. Pop a K-Cup pod into a Keurig pod coffee maker and let the machine do the rest. The big bonus is you can get K-cup pods full of specialty coffees.
K-cup Death Wish Coffee, like the original beans, is one of the strongest coffees you can buy. It’s made from a blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans that have been carefully selected for their high quality and intense flavor. The blend is precision-roasted creating an incredibly bold, full-bodied brew.
How much caffeine is too much
Always remember: a lot of the coffees I have reviewed are seriously strong. I’m talking a max of 1 cup per day. I only drink one a day of these seriously strong bay boys, and often only once a week. Most often, I will follow the caffeine hit with plenty of fresh water.
Look out for any symptoms of too much caffeine
If you get any of these, stop drinking the coffee immediately, and get any medical advice if necessary:
- Increased Heart Rate: Caffeine can increase your heart rate, cause palpitations and make you feel like your heart is racing.
- Dehydration: Caffeine is a diuretic, meaning it makes you pee more than usual and you can easily become dehydrated.
- Anxiety & Jitters: Too much caffeine can lead to feelings of anxiety and nervousness as well as shaky hands or legs.
- Insomnia: Consuming too much caffeine in the late afternoon or evening may interfere with your sleep.
- Addiction/Dependency: People who drink large amounts of caffeine may become addicted or dependent on it, making it difficult for them to reduce their consumption without going through withdrawal.
The Bottom line
Just because a coffee bean is high in caffeine doesn’t mean it will taste good or strong. The taste of coffee depends on the roast, the grind, and the brewing method. So, when you need a coffee that’s guaranteed to wake you up, make sure you’re using the strongest beans and grinding them fresh. Then brew them just right – not too much or too little water.
Hi, I’m Eric Loftuss, co-founder of Bean Thirst with my wife Sophie.
My Coffee journey started young. I used to help my mom with the weekly shopping trip and we always called in to a coffee wholesaler and retail outlet in our town.
I really started to learn about coffee when, while in college, I worked in a local coffee shop and trained as a barista. Even though I went on to qualify and work as a lawyer, I still get a kick out of brewing a cup of Joe.
Sophie and I are so glad to be part of your coffee journey. Find out more about us