Every lover of an aromatic drink sooner or later asks himself the question, what is the strongest coffee? It is very difficult to give an unambiguous answer, or rather, simply impossible. Because there are very strong coffees and very strong espresso blends. There are recipes that can be prepared from different varieties, and the strength of the finished drink will be simply incredible. However, we tried to collect all the information about strong coffee and will be happy to share it with you.
Which varieties are the strongest?
It is important to note that the strength directly depends on the number of coffee beans that were used to prepare a portion of the drink. It is no coincidence that at the amateur level, ordinary people regulate the strength of the drink by adding more to each cup or each pot when brewing. But to be real “coffee lovers”, it is worth understanding not only the number of spoons, but also the types of drink and special mixtures for its preparation.
Arabica coffee tree with ripening fruits
The strength depends primarily on its variety. The most common varieties are beans called robusta and arabica. By the way, there are four types of coffee trees: Robusta, Arabica, Liberica and Excelsa. But coffee, which is called Liberica and Excelsa, is not so common, and this is due to significant features: they are distinguished by their low prevalence, availability only in the growing regions and a very tart taste.
Liberica, which grows in Africa, is very bitter and can be used in the preparation of coffee blends and other drinks only as an additive, but not in its pure form. Excelsa is also not found as a separate species, but this species is very rare due to the difficulty of collecting it.
Coffee trees are tall, and fruit harvesting begins only from a height of fifteen meters and above, which makes the process labor-intensive.
Torrefacto coffee – is it worth buying?
In Vietnam, oil and a little sugar are often added to the beans when roasting. This is usually clarified butter. There is also a roasting method called Torrefacto. During this type of roasting, sugar is added to the coffee, which caramelizes and coats the coffee beans with a thin, glossy glaze.
Externally, such beans look attractive and, of course, this method of roasting affects the final taste of the drink. However, most often the Torrefacto method is used for low-quality coffee, which is initially tasteless. In this way they simply hide and mask grain problems.
What is the difference between Robusta and Arabica
Robusta beans contain about 8% aromatic oils and up to 3% caffeine. Therefore, the taste is stronger, has rough and astringent shades.
Different types of coffee
In turn, “Arabica” coffee beans contain up to 18% aromatic oils, which is more than 2 times higher than their content in the “Rabusta” variety. This explains why Arabica is sweeter. The aroma of this coffee has a slight sourness, and the taste is more refined and less astringent when consumed.
In addition, Arabica has less caffeine - no more than 1.5% of the total weight of coffee beans, which also affects the relative softness of the drink compared to other varieties. By the way, this is the only variety that is completely suitable for consumption in its pure form. And the “robusta” variety, although quite common, is more used as an additive to special mixtures.
The drink usually contains different types of coffee.
There are the following types of “Arabica”: Typica (classic, African Arabica), Bourbon (European Arabica, which began its history in France), Caturra and Maragogipe (Brazilian types of Arabica, which originated in the 20th century), and others. They differ in the color of coffee beans, region of growth, crossing with other varieties and subvarieties. In addition, they differ in chemical composition: caffeine content varies from 1 to 1.6%, and the proportion of aromatic oils ranges from 18 to 19% in raw beans.
However, if you have already decided for yourself that when choosing coffee in a store or cafe you will certainly prefer Arabica, alas, coffee in its pure form, just as a variety, is difficult to find. Besides, you shouldn't do this. Almost any drink that we buy, no matter whether we do it in a coffee shop or in a supermarket, is a coffee mixture with the addition, in one proportion or another, of different varieties. Thanks to the extensive development of the coffee industry and a large number of fans of the drink, everyone can choose their favorite coffee.
All types of coffee are divided into pure and mixed
Mixed are compositions of several types of ground coffee. Grains are mixed in order to emphasize the positive characteristics of one or another type, as well as to mask shortcomings. When mixing, they try to select coffee varieties that reveal and complement each other’s taste characteristics. Usually, grains with similar taste qualities or, conversely, with extremely polar ones, are not mixed. The mixed form contains from two to fifteen varieties of ground grains.
Pure varieties are varieties that contain only one type of coffee bean. These species are named after the area where the coffee trees grew. For example, Brazilian coffee.
How does roasting affect strength?
In addition to the type of coffee, the strength is affected by the degree of roasting of the coffee beans. Coffee whose beans are deeply roasted has a dark brown color.
During this roasting, essential oils are actively released, resulting in a rich and bright aroma.
There are different classifications of roast levels. For example, according to the European classification, French roasting is considered the strongest, which is used to make espresso (this type of coffee will be discussed below). The coffee beans acquire an even darker shade, the coffee turns out strong, dense (thick), and the taste has a pronounced aroma of burnt caramel.
The highest degree of coffee roasting can be described as follows: the beans are almost black, oily; the taste is bitter and has notes of campfire aroma.
In addition, you can compare natural and instant coffee in terms of strength. Let's pay attention to the methods of producing instant coffee. It can be obtained in three different ways: in powder form, in granule form, and by sublimation. Instant coffee is also obtained from natural coffee beans, but during its preparation most of the taste properties are lost. If cheaper raw materials are used for instant coffee, then odor and taste enhancers are added during the preparation process, which can be not only unhelpful, but even harmful when consumed.
Coffee varies in the degree of roasting of the beans
People prefer instant coffee because it is fast and convenient, but if the strength and quality of coffee is important to you, then you need to use either natural or instant freeze-dried coffee. Coffee in the form of powder and granules loses strength and many other properties, but instant coffee prepared through the process of sublimation retains them.
Freeze-drying is a method of canning by quickly and completely removing moisture. When using this process to prepare a soluble base for coffee, peculiar granules are formed, similar to hexagons, which, when brewed, can most fully convey the taste and strength of natural coffee.
The most unusual coffee in the world
As a rule, different types of coffee amaze connoisseurs of this drink with their bouquet of flavors and aftertaste. But now we will talk about a variety that stands out more for its rather extravagant processing. Such an unusual product is kopi luwak.
In order to get the described drink, you will need musagi - an animal that eats coffee fruits. The whole secret lies in the fact that the animal's intestines cannot digest coffee beans. Therefore, they come out along with the musaga feces. After this procedure, people collect the resulting material, wash it and dry it. It should be noted that such a drink has a certain degree of strength and is quite expensive. But, unfortunately, according to reviews from people who have tried the unusual product, the described coffee does not stand out with any special flavor notes.
The strongest coffee drinks
The strongest type of coffee is Ristretto. This coffee is served with less water and therefore a higher concentration of coffee beans, which is why it is stronger, such as Espresso, which many consider to be the strongest type of coffee.
Ristretto is considered the strongest
The next strongest coffee we will highlight is Espresso drink, which is more common. During the preparation process, this coffee acquires a rich and tart taste, but loses caffeine. Yes, that is why it cannot be the strongest, Ristretto has a high caffeine content. But the strength of Espresso is also due to the small amount of water in the drink.
The next type of coffee is Americano. Although this is also the same as Espresso, it is less strong, since hot water is simply added to the finished coffee to reduce the strength.
Doppio is a type that is essentially a double Espresso. It contains a double amount of ground beans, and in terms of strength it is not fundamentally different from Espresso, since the preparation method is absolutely identical.
Turkish coffee contains a lot of caffeine
Turkish coffee is a drink with a high caffeine content. How is caffeine stored during cooking? First of all, this may be due to a mixture with a high content of the “rabusta” variety. In addition, they cook over direct heat, do not bring to a boil, and due to this, the taste, aroma and caffeine are not lost.
Also a particularly common and famous type is Cappuccino. This is an Espresso based drink with added milk. The milk should be hot, almost boiling, and whipped into foam. Coffee is served without sugar, as milk itself gives the drink a natural sweet taste. But this coffee is less strong for obvious reasons - it is diluted with a large number of additives.
Flat white coffee is a double cappuccino. The preparation principle is the same, this drink is also considered an Espresso-based drink. Contains double Espresso and double amount of steamed hot milk. It does not differ in strength from Cappuccino, it differs only in volume.
Flat white is the name of a double cappuccino.
Piccolo - Cappuccino, on the contrary, is smaller in volume. Prepare according to the Espresso principle, with the addition of milk; the volume of the drink is two times less than the usual standard volume of Cappuccino.
No less common is the Latte type. However, it contains more milk, and the strength of the drink is significantly lost because of this. Suitable for those who do not like strong drinks. Other weak ones may include: moccacino, ice, Viennese coffee.
Jamaican Coffee Representative
The name of the strongest coffee in the world is Blue Mountain. In addition to its strength, this variety is also distinguished by its high cost. One of the features of growing such an exclusive species is that the plantations are located at an altitude of 1200 meters above sea level. Buying real and pure Blue Mountain is quite problematic, since the main export line is Japan, where the described variety is highly valued.
But that is not all. Another feature that is highly valued by gourmets is that this type of drink has virtually no bitterness in the aftertaste. Blue Mountain differs from other varieties with a special, rich wine aroma, as well as a bright and unusual aftertaste. It is worth drawing your attention to the fact that due to the fact that this variety is considered elite, it is expensive. On the Russian market you can encounter counterfeits.
Who shouldn't drink
Caffeine, which is part of the drink, is an invigorating and tonic substance. There can be a lot of discussion about how it is perceived by the human body, but it is important to remember that even the healthiest product is useful in moderation.
Caffeine strains the cardiovascular system
It is harmful, for example, to drink on an empty stomach for those people who suffer from gastritis or stomach ulcers. Those who suffer from hypertension (regardless of the functional class of the disease) may increase their blood pressure when drinking coffee. With this disease, there is an increased load on the blood vessels and heart, and caffeine will only increase this load.
Even if there are indirect contraindications, the drink can be consumed, but in moderation. You can also choose a variety or coffee drink with less caffeine to reduce or prevent possible negative effects.
Black insomnia
The creators of Black Insomnia justified such a telling name with a truly “off-scale” caffeine content.
Its amount in one cup reaches 702 mg, which exceeds the daily norm - 400 mg - almost 1.8 times!
At the same time, the grains of this deadly strong product do not give off a “burnt” smell; it itself is exclusively natural, with a soft nutty taste and a pleasant aroma.
Black Insomnia was first released in 2020 in Cape Town. A year later, the revolutionary product conquered the United States.
Where can you try the strongest coffee?
Here you can order very strong coffee
. There are not many coffee shops where you can try Ristretto or Espresso from the strongest coffee varieties. Most non-core establishments or coffee-to-go outlets offer a narrow range of drinks: mainly Espresso, Americano, Cappuccino and Latte. Sometimes the menu includes Moccaccino and Frappe. However, true connoisseurs need places that have a truly rich coffee menu.
In Moscow, if you are a drink connoisseur or a gourmet who is always looking for variety and aesthetics, you should definitely visit several coffee shops. “Double B Coffee House”, which is located in Ostankino, is known for being opened by a company that purchases, roasts and sells beans in Russia. In addition to the classics, the menu includes original signature drinks, as well as a cozy atmosphere and the opportunity to purchase a quality drink for home consumption.
Prices for drinks range from 150 to 500 rubles and above; a cup of Ristretto will cost about 200 rubles.
For real gourmets, the Les coffee shop is open in the Museum of Moscow. A special feature is the roasting of coffee beans right before preparation, as well as the opportunity to fully enjoy the taste of a particular variety, since mixtures are not used in preparing drinks in this cafe - only beans of each variety separately. You can order Ristretto from Arabica beans of the Typica variety - this drink will truly be the strongest.
On the site you can read educational information about coffee: the amount of caffeine in one cup; What other products besides coffee contain caffeine? about the barista profession and much more
Espresso
Any person has at least once in his life drank (or at least heard about) this type of coffee, espresso. Currently, in any coffee shop you can find at least 2-3 varieties of this drink.
Apart from this, espresso is the most popular drink around the world. It is quite possible that the popularity is due to the relatively uncomplicated cooking method combined with an intense and strong taste. Due to these taste qualities, espresso is used as the main ingredient in various coffee drinks.
By changing the amount of additives such as milk, sugar and coffee, the following drinks are prepared with an espresso base: Latte, Con Pata, Mocha, Macchiato and many others. Similar types can also be prepared with the addition of syrups: nut, caramel, chocolate and others.
Cuban coffee Cubita
This variety is the most popular among Cubans, grown in the eastern part in the high mountain climate. This variety itself contains a large amount of caffeine, and thanks to strong roasting it only enhances its strength and richness of aroma. True, only those grains that are sent for export are subjected to such maximum roasting.
The mountain air of the Sierra Maestro, where this variety grows, gives the coffee beans an unforgettable flavor, and special vacuum packaging allows them to preserve the aroma and strength for a long time. The Qubita variety is in demand in all countries and is perfect for making invigorating espresso.
Sulawesi Toraja
This type of coffee got its name from the Indonesian island of Sulawesi, where in the Toraya region there are plantations that were established by the first Dutch settlers. This variety has become so popular that it continues to be grown in our time. Its aroma is imbued with notes of thick nectar and wet earth, which is characteristic only of Indonesian varieties.
Sulawesi Thoraya is an artificially fermented variety and has a high percentage of caffeine. The grains are processed only in a dry manner, which allows the full bouquet of its aroma to be fully revealed. Espresso based on this variety is very strong and viscous, an excellent option for starting a new day.
Decaf coffee – does it make sense?
This product is chosen by those for whom caffeine is contraindicated for some reason. For example, pregnant women or people with heart disease. During the production of such a product, the beans are washed with a special solution, removing up to 97% of caffeine from them. Then fried and crushed.
The taste and aroma become soft and less pronounced, the finished drink does not have an invigorating effect. However, there are still benefits from it. Some polyphenols and antioxidants are retained even after the decaffeination process. When choosing decaffeinated coffee, it is better to choose the whole bean option.
Which brand to choose
Almost every year, various culinary publications, retail chains or regulatory organizations compile ratings of the best coffee brands. In my opinion, this exercise is pointless, since “taste and color”, as you know... And the opinion of any of these sources is to a certain extent subjective. Therefore, only you can make your own rating of the best coffee samples for your taste. Based on your experience and taste preferences.
To navigate the abundance of brands represented on the domestic market, you can rely on sales statistics:
- For coffee machines, the brands most often purchased are Julius Meinl, Gaggia, Saeco;
- in grains choose Lavazza, Paulig and Jardin;
- popular instant brands - Egoiste, Carte Noire, Nescafe;
- ground – Living Coffee, Illy, Kimbo.
How to choose ground coffee
Many people prefer to buy natural coffee already ground. This saves time and eliminates the need to think about additional equipment such as a coffee grinder or coffee machine. Each grind level has its own purpose:
- coarse grinding is suitable for piston coffee makers; such a drink will have to be infused for at least 10 minutes;
- medium – suitable for geyser and filter coffee makers and is generally quite universal;
- thin – used for espresso coffee machines and also for filter coffee makers;
- ultra-fine - grinding, similar to flour, is produced specifically for Turks.
In my opinion, ground coffee has two disadvantages. Firstly, after opening the package, it quickly loses its aroma and taste. Secondly, some manufacturers sin by adding flavorings to it, and not always natural ones. Therefore, if you have opted for ground coffee, buy packages of the minimum volume. And carefully read the label information about additives.
