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Strongest Coffee In The World: Top 6 Strong Coffee Brands to Try in 2023

By Walton Holcomb | Last Updated: January 12, 2023

According to the FDA, you are not supposed to consume more than 400 mg of caffeine each day. While a lot of articles and so-called experts talk about how much that means in ml, the strength of the coffee also plays an important role in determining how much you should limit your caffeine intake per day.

Strongest Coffee In The World

The strength of coffee tends to be a rather elusive concept, so our goal for today is to talk about the world’s strongest coffee while shedding some light on the mystery of what actually makes certain types of coffee stronger than others.


Strongest Coffee in the World: Our Top 3 Picks


  1. “Black Label” Dark Roast Ground Coffee (Highest Caffeine Content)

With 1,555 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce cup, the Black Label coffee is, to the best of our knowledge, the strongest coffee in the world right now. Best feature: USDA organic.

  1. DEATH WISH COFFEE Dark Roast Coffee Grounds (Best Overall)

“After my fourth cup, I decided to burn off some of the excess energy with a quick jog, and ended up finishing the Kessel Run in 11 parsecs flat! Seriously… Buy this stuff!” (Customer review). Best feature: fair trade.

  1. Banned Coffee Ground (Widest Origin Variety)

With beans that originate from approximately 10 different countries and regions, Banned Coffee offers a balanced flavor using only the finest selected beans. Best feature: low acidity


Strong Coffee Brands vs. Weak Coffee Brands

If you are not the kind of coffee drinker that experiments with different beans, grounds, or brewing methods, you might not be sure what sets strong coffee apart from weak coffee. To compare these two types, it’s important that we talk about what it means to drink strong coffee and what gives these coffee types this one specific trait.

Beans

One of the main differences between weak and strong coffee is the fact that different beans have different caffeine content. This, of course, variates depending on species, growth altitude, or soil. The two most commonly grown species of coffee are Arabica and Robusta. The latter type has about 2.1 percent caffeine, compared to the 1.2 percent found in Arabica coffee. Because caffeine has a bitter taste, Robusta coffee is actually cheaper compared to Arabica, but it is better for those who prefer espresso and dark roast. Some Arabica beans have more caffeine than others, depending on the region where the beans are grown.

Strength

A lot of people look at roast levels to determine the strength of a coffee. They assume that dark roasts are stronger compared to light roasts, but that’s nowhere near the truth, as there is no relationship between the roast and the strength of a coffee. In fact, there are certain types of light roasts that actually have a higher caffeine content compared to some dark roasts. When you roast the beans for longer, they obtain a deeper flavor, but that also causes the beans to lose some of that natural caffeine.

Brewing

The brewing method can really make a difference between strong and weak coffee. The way you brew your coffee will determine its strength just as much as the roasting determines the coffee’s flavor. The mathematical equation here is very simple: the more beans you use to make an espresso shot, the stronger the coffee will be. However, there’s one important thing for you to remember here: it is advisable (nor healthy) to use an insane amount of coffee to make one strong cup. You should use coffee that has a naturally high caffeine level from the start. Of course, there are some brewing methods that require using more coffee than usual, such as cold brew. The recipe that you use and the brewing method of choice are going to dictate what the ideal water-to-beans ratio is.

Grind

Grind size is also related to how strong your coffee is going to turn out because diner grinds create a denser flavor, increasing caffeine levels. This is quite an easy way for you to control the strength of your coffee, but there are a few limitations to keep in mind, as some brewing methods will strongly depend on the type of grind in question. For example, pour overs, and French press coffees are better for those of you that use medium or coarse beans because fine grinds extend the extraction process and cause the coffee to be bitter. Espresso works really well with fine grinds, as this preparation method intensifies the coffee’s strength.

Benefits of Strong Coffee

The benefits of drinking coffee every day are extended to strong coffee, just as much as they are to weaker cups. It’s important to note that, as long as you don’t exceed the daily recommended dose of 400 mg of caffeine, any fresh cup of coffee can provide a number of benefits, including:

  • The ability to help you burn fat. There is a good reason why caffeine is one of the primary ingredients in a variety of different fat-burning supplements, as studies have revealed that it can boost your metallic rate and can increase fat burn with up to 10 percent in people that suffer from obesity.
  • The essential nutrients it provides. One cup of coffee has 11 percent of the daily recommended dose (DRD) of vitamin B2, six percent of vitamin B5 DRD, three percent of your DRD of manganese and potassium, and two percent of the reference daily intake of vitamin B3 and magnesium.
  • The possibility of lowering the risk for type 2 diabetes. Even if it has yet to be understood how this is possible from a medical point of view, several tests have shown that coffee drinkers have a 23 to 50 percent lower risk of developing type 2 diabetes.
  • Protection for your liver. Coffee has the ability to potentially protect your liver from cirrhosis, as studies have shown that people who drink up to four cups of coffee per day are 80 percent less likely to develop cirrhosis.
  • The possibility of reducing the risk for Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and dementia. Known for being the most common neurodegenerative disorder that could potentially lead to dementia, Alzheimer’s usually affects people above the age of 65. There are studies that have shown that people who consume coffee are 65 percent less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. The second most common neurodegenerative condition is Parkinson’s, a condition that is likely to appear when the neurons that generate dopamine die. According to certain studies, people that consume caffeine are 32 to 60 percent less likely to develop Parkinson’s disease.

What to Know about Drinking Strong Coffee

Technically speaking, there are no side effects to drinking strong coffee UNLESS you plan on exceeding the low to moderate amounts that health experts recommend. While caffeine usually has plenty of health benefits, there are always downsides to ingesting too much of it, so it’s important for you to know what happens when you drink too much strong coffee:

Your anxiety levels might go up

That’s because caffeine increases alertness and blocks adenosine, a chemical that’s found in your brain and signals that you are tired. By triggering adrenaline release, a high level of caffeine can cause you to feel nervous and anxious.

Strong coffee can cause insomnia

Too much caffeine will cause difficulties in you getting a sufficient amount of restorative sleep, which means that it increases the time it takes for you to doze off and can also decrease the time you spend sleeping. This can also be caused by ingesting caffeine later in the day.

It might cause digestive problems

Coffee is considered to be a natural laxative because it releases gastrin, a hormone that speeds up colon activity. However, it can also stimulate bowel movements through peristalsis increase, meaning that too much caffeine can lead to diarrhea.

It could elevate your blood pressure

Even if studies have shown no link between stroke or heart disease and caffeine, it has proven that large caffeine intakes can elevate blood pressure because they overly-stimulate the nervous system. Consequently, this could lead to a potential heart attack or stroke since it damages arteries over time. On the bright side, the effect that caffeine has on blood pressure is temporary and only seems to affect people that don’t usually consume caffeine.

It can also cause fatigue

Even if caffeine is often consumed because it provides an energy boost and increases your alertness, it is also bound to cause fatigue when it leaves your system.


Best Strong Coffee Brands (2021 Edition)


1. Best Overall: Death Wish Coffee – Dark Roast Coffee Grounds

Death Wish Coffee

  • Roast Type: dark roast
  • Aroma & Taste: cherry & chocolate
  • Whole Beans or Grounds: grounds
  • Origin: India and Peru
  • Features: fair trade, USDA Certified Organic

When you ask baristas about their list of the top three strongest coffee types, the Death Wish brand is bound to be on that list for most of them. Death Wish is the kind of strong coffee that doesn’t give you the jitters. From the moment you take the first sip, you can sense the flavors of cherries and subtle hints of chocolate, making every taste as delicious as the last one. Using only organic fair-trade beans, there is no added caffeine content except the one originally found in the beans.

Who Would Enjoy It?

While Death Wish clearly isn’t for the faint of heart, it’s also the type of strong coffee that brings a burst of aroma when you drink it. Since it contains about 728 mg of caffeine in a 12-ounce cup, this is clearly a coffee dedicated to people who love a really strong brew.

Check price on Amazon


2. Best for Espresso: Black Insomnia Whole Bean Coffee

Black Insomnia

  • Roast type: dark roast
  • Aroma & Taste: dark chocolate, hazelnuts, caramel
  • Whole Beans or Grounds: whole beans
  • Origin: South Africa
  • Features: 1,105 mg of caffeine in a 12-ounce cup, available in Nespresso capsules

With another terrifying name, Black Insomnia coffee packs a real punch, offering 1,105 mg of caffeine in a 12-ounce cup, which exceeds the daily recommended intake. Embodied with a variety of bursting flavors, from that unique taste of dark chocolate to the caramel sweetness and the hazelnut aftertaste, Black Insomnia is a coffee variety that brings the heart of South Africa straight to your cup. Back in 2017, this was the strongest coffee in the world, but that title is now held by Black Label.

Who Would Enjoy It?

If you love a mixture of strong dark chocolate taste with a sweet aroma of melted caramel, the Black Insomnia coffee might be suitable for you.

Check price on Amazon


3. Most Versatile: Killer Coffee Darkerside Blend

Killer Coffee

  • Roast type: dark roast
  • Aroma & Taste: notes of caramel
  • Whole Beans or Grounds: available in both versions
  • Origin: Australia
  • Features: available in Nespresso capsules, multiple grind options

One thing that we really enjoyed when first visiting the official website was the fact that you can choose the amount and the ground type of your Killer Coffee. This is important because it allows for multiple brewing options yet the same dark roast quality regardless of what you choose.

Who Would Enjoy It?

With 645 mg caffeine per 12-ounce cup but rich caramel notes, Killer Coffee delivers a product that’s so versatile, you can use it with espresso machines, plungers, and French Presses, and is even available as original Nespresso capsules. It’s definitely a strong coffee brand for people that prefer trying different brewing methods using the same coffee brand.

Check price on Amazon


4. Widest Origin Variety: Banned Coffee Ground World’s Strongest

Banned Coffee Ground World's Strongest

  • Roast type: medium-dark
  • Aroma & Taste: berries, chocolate
  • Whole Beans or Grounds: available in both versions
  • Origin: Costa Rica, Brazil, Peru, Kenya, etc.
  • Features: available in K-cups, low acidity

One of the things that stood out when we looked into the story of Banned Coffee was the fact that they use coffee beans imported from countries all over the world, including Brazil, Kenya, Colombia, Jamaica, Ethiopia, and others. With 25 years of experience, Banned Coffee brought us one of the world’s strongest options, offering 474 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce cup. It uses Arabica and Robusta beans to bring you mild and fruity aromas and a fragrance that combines intense chocolate and berries.

Who Would Enjoy It?

If you want to taste rich flavors in a strong coffee that leaves you with a smooth aftertaste and delivers rich notes of berries and chocolate, then you’re bound to appreciate what a cup of Banned Coffee has to offer.

Check price on Amazon


5. Best With Heavy Body: Biohazard Ground Coffee, The World’s Strongest Coffee

Biohazard Ground Coffee

  • Roast type: dark roast
  • Aroma & Taste: hazelnut, cherry
  • Whole Beans or Grounds: available in both versions
  • Origin: Colombia, Vietnam
  • Features: Robusta beans, varied origins

The Biohazard coffee left us impressed, as it delivered a much richer flavor compared to what we expected to find in one of the world’s strongest coffee varieties. It has an earthy scent with a slightly fruity smell to it. When you taste its mild sweetness, you are impressed to see that not only does it have a low acidity content, but it also leaves a strong cherry aftertaste. Between sips, you will be left with a lingering nutty taste in your mouth, which is delightful.

Who Would Enjoy It?

Packing an impressive 928 mg of caffeine per cup, this is a coffee that’s designed for people who love a nutty aftertaste when their cup of coffee is empty, leaving you craving for that earthy and mildly sweet taste.

Check price on Amazon


6. Most Caffeinated Coffee: “Black Label” Dark Roast Ground Coffee

"Black Label" Dark Roast Ground Coffee

  • Roast type: dark roast
  • Aroma & Taste: smooth and rich, not bitter
  • Whole Beans or Grounds: available in both versions
  • Origin: Central & South America
  • Features: non-GMO, USDA organic, gluten-free

Made from organic beans, Black Label is made by Devil Mountain’s Coffee and delivers rich aromas and a high level of caffeine that surprisingly doesn’t result in bitterness at all. True coffee lovers are likely to appreciate a cup of this dark roast without adding any sugar. The strong taste is clearly there from the very first sip, delivering a variety of selected beans that pack intense flavors for true coffee aficionados.

Who Would Enjoy It?

Containing 1,555 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce cup, this is a coffee variety that’s perfect for people that like that extra dose of shock in the morning, looking to feel energized while enjoying strong brews that are made from high-quality beans.

Check price on Amazon


Strong Coffee FAQ

Strong Coffee Brands

Is drinking strong coffee bad for you?

Drinking strong coffee isn’t bad for you as long as you follow the normal recommended dosage for daily consumption. In fact, drinking even weak coffee can be detrimental to your well-being unless you stick to the normal drinking limits.

Is strong coffee good for you?

Strong coffee offers pretty much the same benefits as regular coffee. As long as you consume it in moderate amounts,  it can lead to benefits such as better processing of glucose, protection from kidney disease, colon cancer, and even lower risk of developing heart disease.

Does coffee make you sexually active?

According to an experiment conducted back in 2006 on rats, it is believed that coffee can increase female libido. Drinking coffee might cause you to be more sexually active because it gives you more energy, can reduce erectile dysfunction, and can increase blood flow.

What are the negative effects of drinking coffee?

Coffee only comes with side effects if you develop an addiction to it and consume it in large quantities every day. Drinking too much coffee can lead to dehydration, can increase anxiety levels, make you feel restless and nervous, can lead to insomnia and abnormal heart rhythm, cause heartburn, and make you feel shaky.

High Caffeine Coffee: CONCLUSION

High Caffeine Coffee

Hopefully, today’s article sheds a little bit of light in regard to what makes certain coffees stronger than others.

Contrary to what a lot of people think, it is mostly the brewing method, the amount of coffee added, and the type of bean that determines the strength of a coffee and not the actual roasting process itself.

It’s important to note that it doesn’t really matter if you drink strong or weak coffee, as even the smallest amount of caffeine can have great health benefits in the long run.

About Walton Holcomb

I'm Walton, a 29 years old barista from New York City who's been working in the coffee world for more than 8 years now. I'll be your guide to the best coffee gears and will help you make delicious and high-quality caffeinated beverages without breaking the bank.

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