The truth is the higher the number, the darker the roast. This means you’ll get a stronger flavour profile that’s usually more bitter, punchier and intense. Dark roast coffee is roasted past the second crack (the ‘crack’ is when the coffee makes an audible pop like popcorn, most roasts will reach the first crack). This allows for more natural oils to be released which creates a much punchier, more full-bodied flavour. Lighter roasts on the other hand usually offer drier, fruitier flavours.
The numbers on the coffee strength scale tend to reflect the intensity of the flavour rather than the caffeine content, with the higher numbers more bitter and dark and the lower numbers lighter and fruitier.
Did you know instant coffee is known to contain less caffeine than brewed coffee? This is because of the difference brewing methods involved, which leave the grinds in contact with water for longer.
Here’s a rough guide if you’re wondering what the coffee strength numbers mean. But bear in mind, different brands may scale their coffees differently.
There are a few factors which may affect the caffeine content of your coffee. Some start before you even get your hands on it, but it’s worth knowing that the way you brew it may have an impact too.
1. The coffee beans
One of the biggest influences on caffeine content begins with the coffee beans used in the blend. Arabica beans are often the most popular due to their smoother taste, but Robusta beans actually contain up to twice the caffeine content. Most instant coffee blends will use a combination of the two.
2. The size of the grind
Interestingly, the smaller the grind, the more caffeine the blend contains. Incredibly fine ground coffee boasts the highest extraction and thus, the most caffeine content. Coffee usually comes ground as one of the following:
Extra fine: powdery and light in texture, like confectioner’s sugar
Fine: soft and will stick together when pressed, looks like finely milled salt
Medium fine: gritty texture, almost like sand
Medium: crumbly, likened to peat moss
Medium coarse: looks and feels like rocky sand
Coarse: feels like particles of clay flaky sea salt in appearance
Extra coarse: looks like ground peppercorns and feels like broken shells
3. How you brew your coffee
Not only does the ratio of coffee to water impact the caffeine content, but so does the temperature you brew it at. In fact, the hotter the water, the more caffeine that gets extracted from the coffee. Also, instant coffee is known to contain less caffeine than brewed coffee. This is because of the difference brewing methods involved, which leave the grinds in contact with water for longer.
When it comes to knowing coffee, understanding strength and flavour will make your world so much rewarding.