April 9, 2025, 3:03 pm | Read time: 3 minutes
For many, it’s an important ritual to start the day: turning on the coffee machine in the morning and enjoying a hot cup first. For really good coffee, you need really good beans, but they are often expensive. Fortunately, researchers have now found that you need less than you might think for strong coffee.
Many people drink coffee in different ways–sweet and with lots of milk or strong and black to really wake up. Regardless of personal taste, you can save on coffee beans or coffee grounds with a simple trick and still brew equally strong coffee. Scientists have now discovered this.
Researchers test the best way to brew coffee
Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania conducted several experiments using silica gel as ground coffee. The transparent gel was brewed like coffee and illuminated by a laser while the process was recorded with a high-speed camera.
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Various factors play a role
It turned out that the time the water was in contact with the coffee substitute was longer when the water was poured slowly. The pouring height also plays a role. If the water is poured too close to the cup, the liquid doesn’t have enough time to break down the silica gel particles. However, if the water is poured from a greater height into the cup, it hits the particles harder and breaks them down more.
However, the momentum with which the water is poured is also important. A steady flow must form to displace the lower particles in the filter–other particles then accumulate on the sides, slide down, and create a kind of avalanche that ensures more mixing. Individual droplets, on the other hand, should be avoided. They don’t have enough force to properly break down the coffee.
Speed and height play an important role in more sustainable coffee preparation. But the vessel from which the water comes must also be chosen carefully. Researchers recommend a kettle with a curved gooseneck. The slender spout allows for a good, continuous water flow–and, by the way, it looks very chic.
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How to save coffee at home while enjoying the same taste
So how do you apply this newfound knowledge at home? Easier than it might sound. Researchers recommend starting by reducing the coffee grounds by ten percent, for example, from 20 to 18 grams per cup. Then pour it over a classic filter with the gooseneck kettle. You should test the height according to your own preference. Start with a medium height and then go higher or lower. However, it should be about 30 centimeters apart.
If the coffee is still not as strong as you’d like, vary it with the next cup. This way, you can not only save money on coffee purchases but also slightly relieve the already strained cultivation–due to climate change and the growing demand for Arabica beans. This way, you start the day not only with a good cup of coffee but also with a good deed!