Is Death Wish Coffee Really Strong?

Is Death Wish Coffee Really As Strong As It Claims?

With a bold name like “Death Wish,” you might expect this coffee to pack a powerful, eye-opening punch. Death Wish Coffee has built a reputation for being exceptionally strong, with some describing it as brutally and dangerously caffeinated. This small New York-based company claims to produce the “world’s strongest coffee,” selling dark roast blends, espresso capsules, and instant coffee with sky-high caffeine content. But is it really as strong as it claims? Let’s take a detailed look at what gives Death Wish Coffee its extreme jolt.

What Makes Death Wish Coffee Strong?

Death Wish Coffee contains substantially higher caffeine than a typical cup of coffee, which is what makes it so strong. There are three key factors that contribute to the intense caffeine kick of Death Wish Coffee:

• High caffeine content – Death Wish Coffee contains approximately double the caffeine of a regular cup of coffee. Each 12 oz cup packs a whopping 728 mg of caffeine, compared to around 100-200 mg in regular coffee (1).
• Dark roast – Death Wish uses a dark roast, which produces a more concentrated, intense flavor and caffeine kick. The roasting process reduces the bean’s moisture content, leaving behind more caffeine by weight (2).
• Robusta beans – Robusta beans naturally contain approximately twice as much caffeine as Arabica beans. Death Wish uses a blend of robusta beans and Arabica beans to create a smooth, bold flavor with sky high caffeine levels (3).

The combination of using high-caffeine robusta beans, taking them through an ultra dark roast, and using twice as much coffee per cup coalesces into an incredibly potent final product.

(1) https://www.deathwishcoffee.com/products/death-wish-coffee
(2) https://www.deathwishcoffee.com/products/dark-roast-espresso-capsules
(3) https://www.deathwishcoffee.com/products/death-wish-instant-coffee-1

Caffeine Content

Death Wish Coffee contains significantly more caffeine compared to other coffee brands. According to the Death Wish website, a typical 12 oz cup of Death Wish coffee contains around 165 mg of caffeine. This is over twice as much caffeine as a 12 oz cup of Starbucks coffee, which averages around 72 mg. For comparison, a 12 oz can of Coke contains around 35 mg of caffeine.

The high caffeine content in Death Wish coffee comes from using a blend of robusta and arabica beans. Robusta beans naturally contain nearly twice as much caffeine compared to arabica beans. By using a higher ratio of robusta beans, Death Wish is able to achieve a very high caffeine content in their coffee.

In addition to the bean blend, the dark roast style also preserves more caffeine compared to lighter roasts. Lighter roasts actually start with more caffeine, but the longer roasting process of dark roasts helps maintain higher caffeine levels.

So in summary, the combination of more robusta beans and a dark roast makes Death Wish one of the strongest coffees you can buy in terms of caffeine content per cup.

Dark Roast

Many people assume that dark roast coffee is stronger than light roast due to having a more intense flavor. However, the truth is that dark roasts actually contain less caffeine than light roasts when measured by weight. As coffee beans are roasted longer, they lose mass and become less dense. Although a dark roast may have bolder flavor notes, this is due to changes that occur during roasting – not higher caffeine levels.

During the roasting process, the sugars and acids in the beans break down and caramelize, producing the richer, darker flavors that dark roast is known for. However, roasting also causes the beans to lose caffeine. Since caffeine evaporates at higher temperatures, the longer the beans are roasted, the more caffeine is lost. So while dark roast may taste stronger, light roast coffees contain the highest concentration of caffeine.

The reduced caffeine content combined with the fuller body and flavor profile of dark roast makes it ideal for drinkers who want a bold, intense coffee experience without excess caffeine. While not as stimulating, dark roasts provide a smooth, rich flavor that highlights the inherent qualities of the bean.

Robusta Beans

Robusta coffee beans contain a higher amount of caffeine compared to Arabica beans. According to Arabica vs Robusta Beans: What’s the Difference?, robusta beans have around 2.5% caffeine content, while arabica beans have around 1.2-1.5% caffeine. The higher caffeine content in robusta comes from the natural properties of the bean. Robusta trees thrive in warmer climates and are more resistant to diseases, producing a hardy bean that packs more caffeine.

In addition to having more caffeine, robusta beans also tend to have a more bitter taste and grainy texture compared to the sweeter, more acidic arabica. They are often used in darker roasts and as a lower-cost ingredient in many commercial coffee blends and instant coffee. While arabica is more prized for its flavor, the naturally higher caffeine content of robusta makes it an essential part of extra-strong coffee like Death Wish.

Brewing Tips

Death Wish Coffee recommends using a standard drip coffee maker or French press to brew their coffee. They advise using 2.5 tablespoons of coffee grounds per 6 ounces of water, which aligns with guidelines from the Specialty Coffee Association of America (https://www.deathwishcoffee.com/blogs/coffee-talk/proper-brewing-ratio). This ratio helps extract the most flavor and caffeine from the beans.

To maximize the coffee’s strength, it’s important to use the right grind size. Death Wish recommends using a medium grind, which will allow the hot water to penetrate the grounds and extract the oils and caffeine effectively. Grinding the beans too finely can result in overextraction and bitterness. If the grind is too coarse, the flavor will not be fully extracted. The brew time should be between 4-6 minutes.

When using a French press, Death Wish advises using a 4 minute brew time. They also recommend experimenting with longer steep times up to 10 minutes if you prefer a bolder, stronger brew (https://www.deathwishcoffee.com/blogs/coffee-talk/how-to-make-coffee-in-an-auto-drip-coffee-maker).

Strong Coffee Benefits

One of the main benefits of strong coffee is increased alertness and focus. The high caffeine content in strong coffee can stimulate the central nervous system, making you feel more awake and sharpening concentration (Citing this source). Studies show that caffeine blocks adenosine, a neurotransmitter that makes you feel tired. This leads to improved mood, reaction time, memory, and general cognitive function.

Additionally, the caffeine in strong coffee may help boost metabolism. Caffeine is known to increase epinephrine (adrenaline) levels in the blood, which signals the body to break down fat stores for energy. One study found caffeine increased fat burning by 29% in lean individuals and 10% in obese individuals (Citing this source). The metabolism boost from strong coffee’s high caffeine content may aid weight loss and fat burning when combined with a healthy diet and exercise.

Strong Coffee Drawbacks

While strong coffee can provide a burst of energy and concentration, consuming too much caffeine can lead to negative side effects like jitters and anxiety. According to the Mayo Clinic, drinking more than 4 cups of coffee per day can result in headaches, insomnia, nervousness, and irritability (source).

The jitters from strong coffee are caused by the stimulating effects of caffeine. Caffeine binds to adenosine receptors in the brain, blocking the sleep-inducing effects of adenosine. This leads to increased neuron firing, making you feel more alert. However, too much caffeine can cause excessive neuron firing, leading to jitteriness and anxiety.

Insomnia is another common side effect of consuming too much caffeine from strong coffee. Caffeine’s stimulant effects can make it harder to fall asleep and reduce overall sleep quality. Healthline notes that caffeine’s effects can last for up to 6 hours. So drinking strong coffee too late in the day can disrupt your normal sleep cycle and keep you up at night (source).

Is Death Wish Too Strong?

While many coffee drinkers enjoy the extra jolt from Death Wish’s high caffeine content, some find it to be too much. Those sensitive to caffeine or who prefer milder coffee may want to avoid Death Wish or limit their intake. According to this Reddit thread, the caffeine hit from Death Wish can cause jitters and anxiety in some drinkers.

For those who want a strong coffee but find Death Wish to be too intense, there are some alternatives. Medium or light roasts will have less caffeine while still providing rich flavor. Decaf coffee can provide the taste of a dark roast without the caffeine kick. Lowering the amount used per cup is another option – using less grounds of Death Wish reduces the caffeine dosage. Weaker brewing methods like pour-over or cold brew are also safer options compared to French press or espresso.

Conclusion

In summary, Death Wish Coffee has earned its reputation as an incredibly strong coffee due to its unique combination of a dark roast, robusta beans, and nearly double the caffeine content of a typical cup of coffee. While the robust, bold flavor is appealing to many coffee drinkers looking for an extra jolt of energy, it may be overpowering for some. Death Wish Coffee makes no apologies for its extreme strength, but it may be wise to try a small amount first before committing to a full pot.

At the end of the day, if you’re looking for coffee that packs a serious punch, Death Wish certainly delivers. Just know that you’re in for a powerfully caffeinated experience that’s not for the faint of heart.