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Many people as soon as they catch the word ‘bold coffee’ tend to fancy a drink that has a bitter taste. Many also believe it’s just a stronger version of a regular coffee. In reality, this is not as simple as that.
In this article, we will discuss everything that goes into the topic, the secret behind the unique aroma of bold coffee, and how you can make one for yourself.
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What Is Bold Coffee?
Experts describe bold coffee as one that has an increased coffee to water ratio. However, this high concentration of the beverage has little to do with their woody, charcoal-like flavor. Typically, the distinct flavor induces from the beans used in the coffee.
Roasted at 240°C, or beyond these beans are dark brown to nearly black in color, will have noticeable cracks, and often oily on the surface. Usually, the darker the beans are roasted the bitter the coffee will be.
This is because the more a coffee bean is roasted, the quicker it loses its original flavor and water content. Eventually, this results in a sweeping taste of burned-ness, causing novice drinkers to spit their coffee out.
Sometimes medium roast coffee can also offer a strong, mouthfeel flavor. Dark roast is often used for espresso and Turkish blends.
What Does Bold Coffee Taste Like?
When you take the first sip, you’ll notice a clear coffee that leaves an intense, aromatic sensation on your tongue. The distinctive flavor of these coffees comes from the roasted beans. Although the strong roasted aroma will fade after a few sips, it will linger on your taste buds for quite some time.
Depending on your coffee strength profile (coffee-to-water ratio) you might find it a bit bitter. Adding some sweetener to the drink will help you balance the flavor. Some people also prefer creams and milk in their beverages. Bold coffees are dark and bright with a strong, smoky smell.
What Is Extra Bold Coffee?
Unlike bold coffees, the type of roasts used cannot decide whether the coffee is extra bold or not. They can be prepared from all ranges of roasts; for instance, Keurig K-Cups extra bold coffees are available in light, medium, and dark roasts.
Also, there is a misconception that ‘Extra Bold Coffee’ possesses an intense flavor profile. Extra boldness simply refers to the thickness of the brew.
These are coffees that have been brewed strongly with quite a bit more grounds poured into the water. This often results in a very rich, and smooth blend that does not necessarily mean it is burnt or bitter to taste.
Is Bold Coffee Stronger?
There is a myth surrounding bold coffees that causes many drinkers to avoid them. They believe bold coffees have an unpleasant aroma, much stronger than regular ones.
In reality, the strength profile of your coffee is largely under your control. Depending on the type of beans and method of preparation, you can customize your blend, strong or smooth, whichever way you want it.
Coffee Roasts
There are three coffee roasts to choose from: dark, medium, and light. Each of these types undergoes distinct stages in the roasting process, which distinguishes them in terms of flavor, color, and taste.
Some coffee beans are roasted at a much higher temperature and for a much longer period than others. These beans develop dark black skin and have a strong woody flavor.
When you use these beans to make coffee, the smell will be noticeable; some may think it is bitter, but we can simply say it’s BOLD.
On the other hand, when you use medium roasted grounds, it tends to give off a taste that goes down well in your mouth. It’s almost like you are enjoying a lighter version of a bold coffee, with reduced bitterness or strength attached to it.
Apart from this, the country of origin might influence the strength of your beverage. Some coffee beans have a higher concentration of caffeine than others. For instance, coffees that come from Guatemala or Brazil have more caffeine than European and Asian variants.
Coffee Preparation
There are various methods you can use to brew your coffee and alter the strength according to your need. Experts typically use French Press, AeroPress, and Plunger Press to make a strong cup of coffee. If you want to add more cream to your coffee using one of these methods will work as well.
When it comes to coffee-making accessories, espresso machines usually come on top. They contain more caffeine than regular coffees, giving off a strong flavor on the tongue.
Does Bold Coffee Have More Caffeine?
Bold coffees are made from dark roasted beans to add an intense flavor profile. The amount of caffeine, however, is determined not by the type of roast used. It depends on the volume of coffee that is diluted during the brewing process. You have to add more coffee to your drink if you want more caffeine.
Some coffee lovers believe dark roasts are stronger because they contain more caffeine than light roasts. In reality, the volume of caffeine does not change at any stage of the roasting process. It’s the taste that differentiates each roast and not the caffeine content.
However, this principle holds true only if the caffeine is measured by weight. When measured with a scoop light roasts have slightly more caffeine than dark roasts. Because dark beans are roasted for a longer period, they lose more mess in the process, compared to the lighter ones.
What Is the Difference Between Regular and Bold Coffee?
First, if we want to find the similarity between bold and regular coffee, both of them can be strong or mild to their extent. You can easily accomplish this just by varying the coffee to water ratio in the brew. In addition, both have a variety of preparation methods to suit the choices of the individual drinker.
However, when it comes to brewing coffee there exists a clear difference. To prepare a bold coffee, you must have dark roasts available at hand. In the case of regular coffee, you are not bound to think of a particular type of roast.
If we want to compare their taste, bold coffees leave a very strong roasted aroma right on the face which is only preferable to a particular group of people. On the flip side, regular coffees leave a creamy aftertaste with their smooth, floral aroma which is very welcoming.
Again, bold coffees have a dark color, whereas regular coffees are brown. You can drink regular coffee at any time of the day without feeling full or acidic. Bold coffee, on the other hand, should not be consumed on an empty stomach.
How to Make Bold Coffee?
Below are the three simple steps that you can follow to make bold coffee at home.
Step 1: decide your coffee Bean
To make your beverage bold, at first, ensure your coffee beans are dark roasted. If you like mild flavor, medium roasted beans can also be used. In that case, you have to increase your coffee to water ratio slightly.
As far as the type of coffee beans is concerned you have two option to choose from:
Arabica
Robusta
If you want a strong coffee with more caffeine Robusta will be a better choice. However, Arabica is more popular for its aromatic flavor. They also make your coffee look brighter.
For a better smell, you should try buying your coffee beans freshly roasted since they retain more flavor in them.
Step 2: grind your Coffee
If you are an average drinker, don’t grind your coffee excessively. However, if you are adventurous who like a bit of bitterness, a coarse grind will be needed.
Use 2 tablespoons of coffee ground for every 6 ounces of water. This is not a golden ratio. You can adjust it and increase the strength of your coffee to your liking.
To relish the best flavor out of your coffee you must pour in hot water. However, before you do it make sure to wait at least 30 seconds after the water is boiled.
Step 3: brew your coffee
Your brewing time will vary depending on the method you use. Drip coffee, for example, takes 4 to 6 minutes to brew, whereas French press takes 3 to 5 minutes. Normally, you should brew your coffee for at least 5 minutes to get the best flavor. To finish, pour your coffee into a cup and drink right away.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. What does the bold setting on a coffee maker do?
Some specialized coffee makers have a separate setting for making bold coffee. This does an excellent job to reduce the time and amount of hot water that passes through the brewing chamber. As a result, your coffee grounds will be extracted for a much longer period, ensuring a richer, and more developed brew.
Q2. Why do many professionals hate the term ‘bold coffee’?
Bold and strong coffee are often used interchangeably which creates confusion among novice coffee drinkers. Again, the term ‘bold coffee’ has a more complicated meaning.
Someone who is asking for a medium-roasted coffee with a strong flavor might actually be requesting a lighter version of bold coffee. The same is true when someone wants a cup of dark-roasted coffee that looks nice or goes well with milk.
Q3. What is the difference between rich and bold coffee?
Rich = showcase fullness of texture, flavor, body, and acidity
Bold = showcase high brew strength and intensity of flavor
Boldness is represented by a dark-roasted coffee with an intense woody or roasty flavor. In the brewing process, it must have a higher coffee-to-water ratio than regular coffee.
On the other hand, the term “rich” refers to a coffee that is thick and has a full flavor, texture, and acidity profile. Regardless of the difference in taste, both a dark-roasted and a light-roasted coffee can be termed as rich.
Q4. What does the term full-bodied coffee mean?
Whether it’s bold or strong, if the weight or viscosity of your coffee fills your mouth, it’s a full-bodied or rich-bodied (because of rich means “fullness”) coffee. A whole milk coffee, for example, is a full-bodied beverage, whereas skim milk coffee is a thin, light-bodied drink.
Q5. Is Espresso a coffee roast?
Espresso is a type of strong coffee that has no connection with coffee roast or variant of beans at all. Espresso is a high-pressure brewing technique that intensifies the flavor profile of coffee.
To make your espresso blend you will need fine grains and a burr grinder to grind them. Depending on your preference any roasts (light, medium, or dark) will work to make you a cup of delightful espresso.
Q6. Is there any secret to brewing the perfect cup of coffee?
To be fair, there is no secret formula to make your perfect cup of coffee. It all boils down to personal preference. However, experts recommend three standard coffee to water ratio to be applied to your brewing technique:
For a strong coffee: Use 5 tablespoons with 10oz of water
Medium coffee: Go for 4 tablespoons per 10oz of water
Weaker coffee: 3 tablespoons per 10oz of water is ideal
Final Words
Surely, coffee is the first thing we need to begin our day. Drinking a cup of coffee in the morning doesn’t only put us in a good mood, it improves our immune system against various diseases.
However, when it comes to taste, ‘coffee’ can be found in a variety of forms, and countless myths are surrounding it. It’s no surprise that bold coffees are frequently misunderstood by average drinkers. Hopefully, this article has helped you remove your confusion, learn what bold coffee is, and how they differ from a regular brew.
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