To make coffee stronger, increase the amount of coffee grounds used without changing the quantity of water.
Creating a stronger cup of coffee is straightforward and primarily involves adjusting the ratio of coffee to water during the brewing process. As noted, the key method is to use more coffee grounds relative to the amount of water you are brewing with.
Adjusting the Coffee-to-Water Ratio
Most coffee brewing methods utilize a coffee-water ratio that typically falls between 1:18 and 1:16. This means for every 1 part of coffee grounds, you use 16 to 18 parts of water.
| Ratio | Interpretation | Stronger or Weaker Brew? |
|---|---|---|
| 1:18 | 1 part coffee to 18 parts water | Weaker |
| 1:16 | 1 part coffee to 16 parts water | Standard/Slightly Stronger |
| 1:15 | 1 part coffee to 15 parts water | Stronger |
| 1:X (where X < 16) | 1 part coffee to less than 16 parts water | Noticeably Stronger |
How to Implement the Change
Here’s how to apply this principle:
- Keep Water Volume Consistent: Decide on the total amount of water you will use (e.g., 500ml, 1 liter).
- Increase Coffee Grounds: Measure out a larger quantity of coffee grounds than you typically would for that same amount of water.
- Calculate Your New Ratio: If you normally use a 1:17 ratio for 500ml of water (approx. 29.5g coffee), try using a 1:16 ratio (approx. 31.25g coffee) or even 1:15 (approx. 33.3g coffee) while still using 500ml of water.
By simply adding more grounds without altering the water quantity, you effectively change the ratio, resulting in a higher concentration of coffee soluble solids in your final brew, which translates to a stronger taste and mouthfeel.
This method ensures you are extracting more flavor and caffeine into the same volume of liquid, giving you the desired strong coffee experience.
