If you've ever inspected a bag or box of coffee, you'll have come across the term 'Intensity' with a number next to it. Whilst common place in the coffee industry, it can be a confusing and ambiguous term for at-home drinkers. Does it refer to caffeine-content? Is it roast level? What does the number mean?
In this guide, we'll cover exactly what 'Intensity' means, as well as the factors that influence it, so you can have more knowledge next time you shop.
What is Coffee Intensity?
Coffee 'Intensity' refers to more than just caffeine content. It's a term used to describe the overall characteristics of a coffee and the experience of drinking it.
When ranking intensity, many factors are taken into account - including flavour, aroma, body and aftertaste. This allows different coffees to be contrasted and compared, and therefore ranked accordingly. For example, two coffees may have a similar strong coffee flavour but one has a smooth finish and the other a spicier kick. The spicier coffee will come across as more intense or punchier when drunk, and therefore have a higher intensity ranking.
What Characteristics Contribute to Coffee Intensity?
As mentioned, coffee intensity is determined by a number of factors. Here's a breakdown of the main four:
1. Flavour
Unsurprisingly, the flavour or taste of a coffee is a big part of its intensity ranking. More intense blends will have bold, full flavours with lots of depth and presence - think dark chocolate, roasted nuts, peppery spice or treacle. Less intense coffee will have more delicate, brighter or lighter flavours, that come across as more subtle or mild. These often include citrus, floral or fruity flavours.
This type of information is often labelled 'Tasting Notes' or just 'Notes' on packaging or websites, so it can be a helpful thing to look out for.
2. Aroma
It's not just the taste of a coffee that determines its intensity, but also its smell or aroma. A blend with a higher intensity will have a strong coffee aroma, with earthy, spicy or nutty notes. A less intense coffee will have weaker smell, with a more subtle coffee aroma and citrus or floral notes.
3. Body
The body of a coffee refers to the weight and texture in your mouth. Much like with wine, where a deep, rich red wine is said to have more body than a lighter, brighter white wine.
When it comes to ranking intensity, a heavier coffee with more body will be categorised as more intense. It might be described as syrupy or creamy in texture. If a coffee has a lighter, smoother mouth-feel and less body it will have a lower intensity. These blends are often referred to as bright and clean, with an almost tea-like consistency.
4. Aftertaste
Aftertaste refers to how long the flavour of a coffee lingers in your mouth after drinking it. The taste of a higher intensity coffee will remain for a longer time, often lingering on the tongue and sides of the mouth. A less intense coffee will have a short, clean finish with little aftertaste and a flavour that leaves the mouth quickly once drunk.
What Do Intensity Numbers Mean?
Coffee Intensity is often represented on a numerical scale, with the higher a number equating to the more intense a coffee.
At CafePod, we use a scale of 1-12, which is similar to many other retailers (you may also see 1-10 or 1-13). Here's what our numbers mean:
1 - 5: Light & Mild
We often to refer to this category as 'Filter' or 'Expressive' Coffees. They will have a bright, more delicate taste with a clean, light mouth-feel. If trying for yourself, you'll often taste notes of citrus, stoned fruit or caramel.
Our Roof of Africa coffee has an Intensity 3/12 and consists of 100% Ethiopian Arabica Beans. It's floral, fruity and complex - we recommended trying it black (without milk) to properly experience the delicate flavours.
6-8: Balanced & Rich
We call this category 'Sessions' coffees (similar to session beers), because they are super easy-to-drink and you can enjoy multiple cups over the course of a morning. They will have a balanced, rich taste with a smooth finish. They have a medium body, so feel warming and comforting, without being too heavy or bitter. You'll often find notes of milk chocolate and toasted nuts, with a slight sweetness coming from caramel or stoned fruit flavours.
Our Easy Rider coffee has an Intensity 7/12 and is made of 100% Columbian Arabica beans. It's great with or without milk, with chocolate and toasted nut flavours and a gentle sweetness.
9-12: Bold & Intense
This is our 'Full-bodied' and 'Espresso' coffee category. It stars bold, full-bodied blends that are packed with spicy, punchy flavour and a thicker, more syrupy mouth-feel. They will have a deeper, more bitter taste with notes of dark chocolate and roasted nuts - often with a peppery, spicy or smoky aftertaste. As the name suggests, they work fantastically as an espresso, whether that's from a bean-to-cup machine or traditional Italian Moka Pot.
Our Sin City Roast coffee has an Intensity 10/12 and is a blend of Arabica and Robusta Beans. It's a classic Italian-style espresso blend with big, bold flavours and a proper strong coffee punch.