If you have used the latest models of Keurig coffee machines, you might have noticed a new button on the control pane. So, you might be asking yourself, what does the strong brew button do? Well, read on to find out the answer.
Contents
What Does the Strong Brew Button Do?
The strong brew button on a coffee machine allows you to brew a stronger cup of coffee. When you press the button, the machine will extract more flavors from the grounds, resulting in a full-flavored and slightly bitter cup of coffee.
To do this, the machine passes water through the grounds at a slower speed, allowing for more extraction. This results in a coffee that has a good balance of sugars, acids, and a bitter flavor. To get a better understanding of what this button does, it helps to first understand what strong coffee is.
What Is Strong Coffee Anyway?
To make a regular cup of coffee, you will need to use around 2 tablespoons of grounds for 6 ounces of water. When you use the strong button, the machine will extract more flavors and oils from the same amount of grounds.
This results in a cup of Joe that has a higher concentration of coffee and might be more intense and bitter than regular coffee. This coffee tastes less sweet and has more bitterness and a fuller flavor.
It is important to note that this button does not make the coffee hotter. The beverage comes out at the same temperature as a regular cup of coffee.
How to Use the Strong Button
The strong coffee button was originally used in high-end Keurig brewing machines. However, some brands have also incorporated it and it is very likely that you have it on your machine. So, do you know how to properly use it?
Using this button is pretty straightforward. Here is how to do it:
- Fill the water tank of your brewing machine and add fresh grounds to the filter
- Place a mug on the drip tray
- Press the strong brew button
- Wait for a little longer than you would for normal coffee
- Enjoy your coffee!
Brewing time for a stronger cup of coffee is about 2 minutes. Usually, you might have to wait about 30 seconds longer. However, the wait time might vary depending on the machine you are using.
When Should You Use the Strong Brew Button?
If you love strong-tasting coffee like red-eye coffee, then you should definitely use this button. On the other hand, if you are using a light roast coffee, the button will help to bring out the full flavor of the coffee.
You should also use the button if you want to add milk to your coffee. I say so because when you add milk to regular coffee, the flavor will be overwhelmed by the milk making it taste more like milk than coffee.
On the other hand, milk balances well with full-flavored or bitter coffee, resulting in a smooth and creamy taste.
When Should You Not Use the Strong Brew Button?
If you do not like full-flavored coffee, then you should not use the button. The drink will be too intense for you and might even taste bitter.
It is also not a good idea to use this button if you are using pre-ground coffee. This is because the coffee will not be fresh and might not taste good when it is extracted for longer than normal.
How Much Coffee Grounds Should You Use?
Depending on how intense you want your coffee to be, you can either use equal to or more grounds than you would for a regular cup of coffee. Even if you use the same amount as your regular cup of Joe, it will still be stronger since the machine extracts more flavors.
A good rule of thumb is to use 2 tablespoons of grounds for every 6 ounces of water. If you want a stronger cup of coffee, you can use 3 tablespoons of grounds.
Related Questions
Does the Strong Button Result in More Caffeine in Your Coffee?
Yes, the strong brew button might result in more caffeine in your coffee. This is because the machine extracts more flavors from the coffee grounds. As a result, more than normal levels of caffeine might end up in your coffee.
Is Strong Coffee Good for Your Health?
Strong coffee is just as healthy as a regular cup of coffee. However, if you are sensitive to caffeine, I recommend that you avoid using the button. This is because the coffee will be more concentrated and might have higher caffeine levels, and might lead you to feel nauseous.
Conclusion
The button for strong brew does exactly what you might expect it to do; it makes a stronger cup of coffee. So, if you like your coffee with a hint of intense flavor, I recommend that you use this button on your coffee machine.
