Why do I need to indicate how intense I like my coffee? What does “intensity” mean anyway?

The intensity of your coffee depends very much on the roast profile of the beans so if you prefer a bold and full-bodied cup we would likely recommend you a coffee with a darker roast, and vice versa if you prefer a lighter cup. But don’t confuse intensity with strength – the caffeine level in all beans hardly varies, if at all. The brew method however, does affect the caffeine level.

But don’t confuse intensity with strength – the caffeine level in all beans hardly varies, if at all. The brew method however, does affect the caffeine level.

Firstly, size matters. The smaller the grind size, the bigger the total surface area of your coffee grounds. This allows for greater extraction. (Keep in mind that different brew methods require differing grind sizes!) Next up, let’s talk brew methods. In immersion techniques (as opposed to pour-overs), the grounds are completely enveloped by water, thus yielding more extraction. Leaving them immersed for more time also increases extraction. Water temperature is another factor. Higher temperatures mean higher extractions, but as we’ve mentioned before, ~95°C is the optimal temperature. Lastly, and this may be an obvious one, but the amount of coffee grounds you use determines the amount of caffeine you’ll get.