Hello, coffee lovers! Today, I want to share my thoughts on a topic that’s very close to my heart: how to make strong coffee. If you’re anything like me, you probably believe that coffee is more than just a morning ritual—it’s a passion. The strength of your coffee can make a big difference in how you start your day, and for true coffee enthusiasts, finding the perfect brew is an ongoing adventure.

Let me tell why I believe strong coffee is so important and how you can achieve that perfect, bold cup. For me, coffee is more than just a beverage; it’s a necessity. A strong cup of coffee gives me the energy boost I need to tackle my daily tasks with vigor and focus. It’s not just about the caffeine content—it’s also about the rich, robust flavors that make each sip an experience. Strong coffee can be incredibly satisfying and provides a deeper appreciation of the complex flavors that good quality beans have to offer.

Over the years, I’ve tried various ways to make my coffee stronger, and it’s all about finding what works best for you. Some of the key methods include adjusting the coffee-to-water ratio, experimenting with different brewing methods, and choosing the right grind size. Each method can significantly impact the strength and flavor of your coffee, so let me share what I’ve learned.

Strong Coffee Definition

For me, strong coffee means a higher concentration of coffee solids and a more intense flavor. It’s important to note that “strong” doesn’t necessarily mean “bitter” or “overly caffeinated”—it’s about achieving a rich, bold taste that stands out. Strong coffee should be balanced and enjoyable, providing a fuller body and more pronounced flavors.

Now I will tell you one fact that you probably know, and it is this that most affects the strength of coffee. This is the amount of water. After many experiments, the usual proportion for me is 1:15 (of course you need more water). If I need vigor or just a boost of energy, I can slightly reduce the amount of water, but I do not recommend doing this too often.

I would also like to note that if the coffee grind is fine, this will also make your coffee stronger.

How to make strong coffee: choosing the right coffee beans

Choosing the right coffee beans is crucial for achieving that perfect strong cup of coffee.

Of course, the right base is excellent coffee beans. I recommend not saving on them, and also carefully reading the information about the manufacturer and composition on the packaging. Once my sister brought me coffee with fillers and dyes, although the packaging at first glance was gorgeous. It was a terrible chemical mixture, and not natural coffee, as it was written on the packaging.

For several years now, dark roast beans have been my favorite. I just love the aroma and the intensity of the flavor with the chocolatey smoky notes. When I was in Italy, I tried their roasted coffee. Oh, it was a delight – an impressively strong and incredibly tasty drink. I heard that in France there are unusually interesting methods and I really want to try them myself. Sumatra coffee also remains the undisputed leader.

Freshness is key to strong coffee. Freshly roasted beans retain more of their natural oils and flavors, which contribute to a bolder taste.

I always try to buy beans that have been roasted within the past two weeks. To maintain their freshness, I store my beans in an airtight container, away from light and heat. Grinding the beans just before brewing also helps maximize their strength and flavor.

Grinding the Coffee Beans

The grind size of your coffee beans is another critical factor that affects the strength of your coffee. Here’s what works best for me.

Fine grind for espresso

For espresso, a fine grind is essential. Espresso machines use high pressure to force water through the coffee grounds quickly, so a fine grind allows for the optimal extraction of flavors in a short amount of time. If the grind is too coarse, the water will flow through too quickly, resulting in a weak and under-extracted shot. On the other hand, if the grind is too fine, it can clog the machine and lead to over-extraction and bitterness.

Coarse grind for French press

For a French press, a coarse grind is ideal. The coffee grounds steep in water for several minutes, so a coarser grind allows for a slower, more even extraction. This results in a rich, full-bodied coffee without the bitterness that can come from over-extraction. When I use my French press, I grind the beans to about the consistency of sea salt, which works perfectly.

Using a burr grinder for consistency

To achieve the perfect grind size every time, I highly recommend using a burr grinder. Unlike blade grinders, which can produce uneven particles, burr grinders crush the beans between two burrs, resulting in a consistent grind size. This consistency is crucial for ensuring even extraction and a balanced flavor. I use a burr grinder with adjustable settings, so I can easily switch between fine and coarse grinds depending on my brewing method.

How to make strong coffee: Adjusting Coffee-to-Water Ratio

Getting the coffee-to-water ratio just right is key to brewing a strong and flavorful cup of coffee.

The standard ratio I start with for strong coffee is 1:15. This means using one part coffee to fifteen parts water. For example, if you’re brewing a 12-ounce cup of coffee, you’d use about 24 grams (or roughly 2 tablespoons) of coffee grounds.

This ratio is a great starting point, and it generally produces a strong, well-balanced cup. If you’re new to adjusting your ratios, I recommend starting here and tweaking as needed.

Everyone’s taste is different, so don’t be afraid to experiment with different ratios until you find what suits you best. If you prefer a bolder, more intense flavor, you might try a 1:14 or even a 1:12 ratio. On the other hand, if you find the standard ratio too strong, you could go up to 1:16 or 1:17. Keep in mind that the type of beans and the brewing method can also influence how the ratios affect the taste. I often adjust my ratios slightly depending on whether I’m using a light roast or a dark roast.

Here are some of the ratios I use for different brewing methods to get the best results:

Brewing Method	Ratio (Coffee:Water)
Espresso	1:2
French Press	1:15
Pour Over	1:16
Cold Brew	1:8
AeroPress	1:13

By experimenting with these ratios and finding what works best for your taste, you can brew coffee that is perfectly tailored to your preferences.

Brewing Methods for Strong Coffee

I’ve tried all of these brewing methods, so I can confidently recommend them.

Traditional espresso

Espresso is a popular method for brewing strong coffee. It involves forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee at high pressure, resulting in a small, concentrated shot with a rich and intense flavor. This method is the foundation for many coffee drinks, including lattes, cappuccinos, and macchiatos.

Steps to make a strong espresso:

1. Grind the coffee. Use a fine grind, similar to table salt.
2. Distribute the coffee grounds evenly in the portafilter and tamp them down firmly to create a compact puck.
3. Lock the portafilter into the espresso machine and start the extraction process. Aim for a 25-30 second extraction time for a 1-2 ounce shot. Enjoy the espresso as is, or use it as a base for other coffee drinks.

French Press

The French press is a straightforward and effective method for making strong, full-bodied coffee. It involves steeping coarsely ground coffee in hot water for several minutes before pressing down a metal or plastic plunger to separate the grounds from the liquid.

How to make a strong French press coffee:

1. For this drink, you will need a coarse grind, similar to breadcrumbs.
2. Next, you need to gradually add coffee grounds and hot water to the French press. Let me remind you that the traditional ratio for me is 1:15.
3. Now leave the drink to steep for 5 minutes and press down the plunger to separate grounds. And you can enjoy it.

AeroPress

The AeroPress is a versatile and portable coffee maker that uses air pressure to push hot water through coffee grounds. It can produce a strong, concentrated coffee similar to espresso, but with a smoother taste due to the short brewing time and paper filter.

Steps to make a strong AeroPress coffee:

1. Grind the coffee. Use a medium-fine grind.
2. Place a paper filter in the cap and rinse it with hot water. Assemble the AeroPress and add the coffee grounds.
3. Pour hot water (about 175°F or 80°C) over the coffee, using a 1:13 ratio. Stir for about 10 seconds. Attach the plunger and press down slowly, taking about 30 seconds to complete the process.

Moka Pot

The Moka pot, also known as a stovetop espresso maker, brews coffee by passing boiling water pressurized by steam through ground coffee. It produces a strong, espresso-like coffee, though it is less concentrated than true espresso.

How I make strong coffee in a Moka Pot:

1. For this drink, I use a medium-fine grind. First, I fill the chamber from below with water. It is important here to ensure that the water is not higher than the safety valve. And I fill the filter with coffee on top.
2. After assembling the device, I prepare coffee over medium heat.
3. First I enjoy the aroma, and only then I hear a gurgling sound, which means that the coffee is ready. It’s time to relax.

Drip Coffee

Drip coffee is one of the most common methods for brewing coffee at home. It involves hot water slowly dripping through ground coffee, which then passes through a filter into a carafe or pot. This method is convenient and can produce a strong, consistent cup of coffee.

Steps to make strong drip coffee:

1. For such a drink, it is better to use a grind no coarser than granulated sugar.
2. You will also need a filter to put the ground coffee into. My favorite water to coffee ratio in this case is 15:1.
3. Next, simply let the coffee maker operate in its normal mode.

Cold Brew

Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarsely ground coffee in cold water for an extended period, typically 12-24 hours. This method produces a smooth, strong coffee concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk.

Steps to make strong cold brew coffee:

1. Grind the coffee. Use a coarse grind, similar to breadcrumbs.
2. In a large jar or pitcher, mix the coffee grounds with cold water using a 1:8 ratio. Cover and let the mixture steep in the refrigerator for 12-24 hours.
3. Use a fine mesh sieve or a coffee filter to strain the grounds from the liquid. Dilute the cold brew concentrate with water or milk to taste and serve over ice.

Brewing Method	Ratio (Coffee:Water)	Grind Size	Brew Time	Notes
Espresso	1:2	Fine	25-30 seconds	Highly concentrated, rich and robust
French Press	1:15	Coarse	4 minutes	Full-bodied and flavorful
AeroPress	1:13	Medium-fine	1 minute	Smooth and concentrated
Moka Pot	1:10	Medium-fine	5-10 minutes	Espresso-like, less concentrated
Drip Coffee	1:15	Medium	Varies	Convenient and consistent
Cold Brew	1:8	Coarse	12-24 hours	Smooth, strong concentrate

Enhancing the Strength of Your Coffee

How can you increase the strength of your coffee? Everything is very simple.

Double brewing technique

Double brewing involves brewing a batch of coffee, then using that brewed coffee instead of water to brew a second batch. This results in an exceptionally strong and bold coffee.

Steps to double brew coffee:

1. Brew a regular batch of coffee using your preferred method.
2. Use the brewed coffee as the water for a second batch, using fresh coffee grounds. This can be done using a drip coffee maker, French press, or any other method.
3. The resulting coffee will be much stronger and bolder than usual.

Using coffee ice cubes

How to make coffee ice cubes:

1. Make a strong batch of coffee using your preferred method.
2. Let the coffee cool to room temperature, then pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid.

Using coffee ice cubes in iced coffee prevents the drink from becoming diluted as the ice melts. This ensures that your iced coffee remains strong and flavorful from the first sip to the last. Simply brew a fresh cup of coffee, pour it over the coffee ice cubes, and enjoy a strong, refreshing iced coffee.

Different Types of Strong Coffee and Their Components

Type of Coffee	Description	Strength	Flavor Profile
Espresso	A concentrated shot of coffee made by forcing hot water through finely-ground coffee.	Very strong	Rich, bold, with a thick layer of crema
Americano	An espresso shot diluted with hot water, offering a milder yet still robust taste.	Strong	Bold, slightly less intense than espresso
Doppio	A double shot of espresso, providing twice the strength and flavor of a regular espresso.	Extremely strong	Intense, bold
Ristretto	A shorter, more concentrated shot of espresso, using less water for an even stronger flavor.	Extra strong	Intensely bold, slightly sweeter
Long Black	Hot water poured first, then an espresso shot added, resulting in a strong coffee with a unique flavor.	Strong	Rich, bold, with subtle variations
Red Eye	A combination of drip coffee and an espresso shot, offering a significant caffeine kick and strong flavor.	Very strong	Bold, intense
Turkish Coffee	Finely ground coffee simmered in water with sugar (optional) and often flavored with cardamom.	Strong	Rich, intense, with aromatic spices
Cuban Coffee (Cafecito)	An espresso shot sweetened with sugar as it brews, creating a strong, sweet, and intense coffee.	Very strong	Sweet, intense, with caramel notes

How to make strong coffee: Tips and Tricks

I’m always open to experimenting and continuously improving my coffee-making skills. Here are some tips I’ve learned from my own experience:

• The preparation of a coffee beverage starts with properly preparing the coffee beans. Pre-wetting, or “blooming,” helps release trapped gases from the coffee grounds, enhancing flavor extraction’s quality and evenness.
• Better coffee flavor begins with quality water. Using filtered water, free from excess impurities and minerals, allows for a cleaner and more robust flavor profile in your favorite brew.
• Regular cleaning and servicing of coffee brewing equipment are key to ensuring its optimal performance. Cleanliness and proper functioning of each component help preserve the taste and quality of your beverage at a high level.

Conclusion

I hope these tips prove helpful to you on your coffee journey. Through experimentation and attention to detail, you’ll be able to enjoy a flavorful and strong cup of coffee every day. Don’t forget to share your experiences and discoveries with your friends and readers. May your coffee journey always be exciting and delicious!

FAQs

How to make really strong coffee: best video guide

In this comprehensive video guide, learn the secrets to brewing intensely strong coffee from an experienced man.