Question about making stronger coffee.

QUESTION:

Does coffee get a stronger flavor if you leave it on for a long period of time? My mother in law insists it does, I think it's a waste of electricity that just burns the coffee. (We're talking 8+ hours of the same pot of coffee sitting on the hot plate.)

I think if she wants stronger coffee she should add more grinds, less water, run the brewed coffee back through the pot, or buy a darker roast, but she insists that if she leaves the machine turned on it makes the coffee stronger. Am I wrong?


ANSWER:

Good question. Your mother-in-law is a genuine old-school coffee lover. Yes, if you keep coffee on a burner for hours, it will taste stronger. But there is burned-strong and flavorful-strong. Her way burns off all the volatile oils that carry the flavor and leave you with a cooked, and rather bitter taste.

For a stronger brew that still tastes good, she should follow your advice. (Except for running the coffee back through the pot, which can also make it taste bitter.)

Learn more on our how to make coffee page.