Coffee Myths We Wish Would Disappear
People have been drinking coffee for centuries, so it’s no surprise that along the way opinions have accumulated around what makes a “good” cup of coffee. Some are helpful. Some are outdated. And some are just plain wrong.
At Snowy Elk, we believe that good coffee shouldn’t be complicated. So we’re clearing up a few of the most common coffee myths and sharing what actually matters when it comes to making a great cup of specialty Snowy Elk coffee.
Myth #1: Dark Roast Coffee Has More Caffeine
This might be one of the most persistent coffee myths out there. The truth is that roast level (dark, medium, or light) doesn't make a significant difference in the amount of caffeine in a cup of coffee.
The amount of caffeine you get out of your coffee cup is influenced more by how you measure your coffee. By weight, light and dark roasted beans contain very similar amounts of caffeine. But dark roast beans are roasted longer and are less dense, so if you measure by volume, a scoop of dark roast will contain fewer coffee beans (and slightly less caffeine) than the same scoop of light roast.
Choose your coffee because you like the flavor. For a very minor caffeine boost, you should actually consider a light roast, like Morning Bugle. However, it’s best to choose your coffee because you like the flavor.
Myth #2: Coffee Belongs In The Refrigerator
Cold temperatures should help keep coffee fresh, right? Not necessarily.
Coffee is susceptible to moisture, oxygen, light, and heat. Your refrigerator can expose it to all of those elements. Coffee can also absorb aromas from the foods around it, which is not exactly what you want in your morning cup. For everyday storage, your best bet is an airtight container stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat.
One important note, though: freezing coffee isn't the same as refrigerating it. If you're storing coffee for a longer period, freezing properly packaged beans can be a great way to preserve freshness. Just avoid repeatedly taking the coffee in and out of the freezer, which can introduce moisture through condensation.
Myth #3: Espresso Beans Are Different From Regular Coffee Beans
It’s common to see bags labeled “espresso beans,” but there isn't a special type of espresso coffee bean. Espresso is a brewing method, not a type of coffee bean.
When creating our award-winning espresso roasts, we developed specific blends and precise roast profiles designed specifically for espresso brewing. Because each coffee responds differently to heat, time, pressure and airflow, achieving a balanced espresso requires careful attention to the bean’s origin, density, and moisture content. Espresso is traditionally a medium roast and we nailed it with Moose Bell Espresso, while Howlin’ Wolf Espresso shows how incredible a well-developed dark roast can be in the espresso cup.
Technically, any coffee can be used to make a shot of espresso. So if you have a Snowy Elk coffee roast you love, there's no reason you can't experiment with it in your espresso machine.
Myth #4: You Need Expensive Equipment To Make Great Coffee
We're coffee people. We like good gear. But you don't need expensive machines or a countertop full of gadgets to make a great cup of coffee. The fundamentals matter much more: good coffee, clean water, a suitable grind, and a consistent brewing method.
A French press can make excellent coffee. So can a simple pour-over. Even a basic drip coffee maker can produce a great cup when you're using good beans and the right coffee-to-water ratio. If you're standing around a campfire with a pot of coffee, you really don't need any more equipment than that.
There are certainly benefits to investing in better equipment (especially a good grinder for consistency) but expensive gear isn't a prerequisite for good coffee.
Myth #5: “Stronger” Coffee Means More Caffeine
This is another popular myth. “Strong” is one of those coffee words that can mean many different things. When someone says their coffee is strong, they might mean it tastes bold, intense, or concentrated. But flavor intensity and caffeine content aren't the same thing.
Caffeine content depends on several factors, including the type of coffee, how much you use, your brewing method, and the size of your serving. So a coffee that tastes rich and intense isn't necessarily more caffeinated than a lighter-tasting cup.
In other words, don't use your coffee's “strength” as a caffeine calculator.
Myth #6: Freshly Ground Coffee Always Tastes Better
We're going to defend this one, but with a little nuance.
Grinding coffee fresh before brewing is one of the best things you can do to preserve the flavor and aroma. Once coffee is ground, its increased surface area allows it to interact with oxygen more quickly and become stale.
But freshly ground doesn't automatically mean perfectly brewed. The quality and freshness of the beans matter. But so does the grinder. An inconsistent grind can lead to uneven extraction, and the grind size needs to match your brewing method. In other words, while freshly grinding good coffee is an excellent start, it isn't the entire recipe.
Myth #7: The Longer You Brew Coffee, The Stronger It Gets
This one makes intuitive sense. If you leave coffee brewing longer, you should get more out of it, right? Well, sort of. As coffee brews, water extracts compounds from the grounds. Time is one of several factors that affects extraction, along with grind size, water temperature, and the coffee-to-water ratio.
If you simply keep brewing longer, you can eventually over-extract the coffee and end up with an unpleasantly bitter or astringent cup. If your coffee tastes weak, brewing it longer isn't necessarily the answer. Try adjusting your grind size or coffee-to-water ratio instead.
Good coffee is about finding the right balance, not simply brewing for as long as possible.
Myth #8: Light Roasts Are Higher Quality Than Dark Roasts
This one is worth talking about, especially in the specialty coffee world. As specialty coffee has grown, lighter roasts have become increasingly popular because they can highlight delicate flavors and characteristics that develop from a particular origin, varietal, or processing method.
But that doesn't mean light roasts are better coffees. Roast level is a matter of style and preference. A well-developed dark roast can be delicious and full of flavor, just as a poorly developed light roast can be disappointing.
At Snowy Elk, we offer award-winning light, medium, and dark roasts because we understand that people enjoy different flavors and roast profiles. Some people want something light and bright while others want rich, bold, and dark roasted. There's room for all of it.
So, What Actually Makes a Great Cup of Coffee?
The truth is, you don’t need to follow every coffee rule to make a great cup. But starting with quality coffee makes a difference. Keep it fresh, use clean water, pay attention to your brewing method, and experiment until you find what works for you.