Do you love the smell and taste of a rich, dark cup of coffee? Well, since coffee's the second most popular beverage in the world (after water) there's a good chance you do. And if you're like most coffee drinkers, you probably get a big jolt of energy from your cup of joe.
But what exactly is it about coffee that gives you that huge energy boost? It all comes down to caffeine, coffee's primary active ingredient. (That’s right, primary—coffee actually has thousands of bioactive compounds in it besides caffeine.)
Caffeine's that stimulant that gets all up in your central nervous system and makes you all energized, alert, and productive. When you drink coffee, the caffeine is absorbed into your bloodstream and then makes its way to your brain, and long story short, that's what gives you that coffee buzz.
Not all coffees contain the same amount of caffeine. For instance, an average cup of drip coffee has about 95 milligrams of caffeine, while a typical espresso shot only has about 64 milligrams. (Source: USDA) Now, that might not seem like a meteoric difference, but it can make a deep impact on how you feel after drinking your coffee.
The Strongest Coffees on the Planet:
Q: What Are The Strongest Coffee Bean Varieties?
As far as beans are concerned, there's no contest. Compared to their Arabica cousins, Robusta coffee beans can contain nearly double the amount of caffeine. Robusta's high caffeine content is actually what helps keep it so resistant to pests—and makes it taste stronger—but hey, it also means you'll get a much stronger caffeine kick from your cup of coffee. So if you like your coffee like you like your Icelandic metal music—heavy, dark, and intense—then Robusta beans are the true champions. In fact, even if you don't like Icelandic metal music at all, you can still appreciate the high caffeine content of these bad boys of the bean world.
Robusta beans have an approximately 2.5% - 2.7% caffeine content, while Arabica beans generally only have around 1.5%.
Among Arabica beans, certain varieties pack a bigger caffeine punch than others, but they all pale in comparison to Robusta beans. For instance, the Geisha coffee bean variety from Panama has about 30% more caffeine than the average Arabica coffee bean. It also costs about a thousand dollars a pound, so you might want to think twice before adding a Geisha coffee bean to your morning cup. If you really want to go hardcore caffeine-wise without giving up your retirement savings and taking out one of those celebrity-endorsed reverse mortgages, there's always Black Insomnia coffee, which contains a proprietary blend of Arabica and Robusta beans. It's the strongest coffee in the world, so if you're looking for the biggest energy boost from your cup of coffee, this is it.
Q: What is The Strongest Coffee Drink?
A: Comparing the caffeine content of different coffee drinks is a bit like comparing apples and oranges—or, more like comparing espresso and drip coffee. That's because the method of brewing plays a big role in how much caffeine ends up in your cup. In general, espresso-based drinks have less caffeine than drip coffee, but there are exceptions. If you add more shots of espresso to your latte or cappuccino, for instance, you'll end up with a stronger drink. But efficiency-wise, drip coffee has the edge when it comes to caffeine content.
Of course, cold brew technically has more caffeine when it's initially brewed—but since it creates a concentrate that's then diluted with water or milk, the final caffeine content in your cup isn't always higher. That said, if you're looking for the strongest possible cup of coffee, cold brew is a good place to start.
Q: What is The Strongest Coffee Brand in the World?
A: When it comes to coffee brands, the strongest one in the world is, without a doubt, Black Insomnia. As mentioned, Black Insomnia coffee contains a unique blend of Robusta and Arabica beans that gives it its high caffeine content, plus an artisanal roasting process that brings out the beans' natural flavors. All of this makes for a cup of coffee that's not only strong but also delicious. So as far as the strongest coffee brand that gives you the biggest caffeine kick, Black Insomnia's your best bet.
The Bottom Line on the Strongest Coffees
No matter how you like your coffee—whether it's black, light, sweet, or strong—there's a bean and a brewing method out there that can give you the perfect cup. And when it comes to caffeine, there are plenty of options for getting your fix, from extreme-caffeine coffee beans to extra-strength brewing methods.
Coffee is a complex beverage, and many factors affect its caffeine content. If you're looking for the strongest coffee possible, you'll want to start with looking for a Robusta-Arabica blend
If you want to further maximize your chances of getting the strongest cup of coffee you can, cold brew is the way to go. And if you just want the strongest coffee brand out there, Black Insomnia is your best bet—but be warned, it packs a serious caffeine punch.
Combine all these factors, and just like the Gen Zs say, you'll be "woke AF." OK, maybe not woke AF, but you will be pretty darn awake AF. And when it comes to caffeine, isn't that really what it's all about?
So now that you know what makes Black Insomnia so popular, make sure to grab a bag of body fuel and start kicking ass all day long.
