Death Wish Coffee claims to be the world’s strongest coffee, with almost double the caffeine content of a normal cup of coffee. But is this claim really true? Let’s take a look at the facts behind Death Wish coffee and analyze if it truly contains dangerously high levels of caffeine.
What is Death Wish Coffee?
Death Wish Coffee is a specialty coffee company based in New York that markets what it claims to be “the world’s strongest coffee.” It was founded in 2012 by Mike Brown, who was interested in creating a strong dark roast coffee.
Some key facts about Death Wish Coffee:
- It is a dark roasted coffee made from Robusta and Arabica beans sourced from India and Peru.
- The beans are roasted to a dark level to produce a bold, strong flavor.
- Caffeine content is claimed to be almost double that of a typical cup of coffee.
- The name “Death Wish” comes from the coffee’s intense caffeine kick and bold flavor.
Death Wish Coffee quickly gained popularity among coffee drinkers looking for an extra caffeine boost and became an viral Internet sensation. It is often marketed as the coffee to drink when you need to power through fatigue or pull an all-nighter.
How much caffeine is in Death Wish Coffee?
According to Death Wish Coffee’s website, their coffee has about 59 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce. This equates to 702 mg of caffeine in a 12 oz cup of Death Wish coffee.
In comparison, a typical 12 oz cup of regular brewed coffee has around 200-300 mg of caffeine. Espressos have about 80-150 mg per shot. So at first glance, Death Wish does appear to contain significantly higher caffeine.
However, caffeine content isn’t always easy to measure accurately. The caffeine content of coffee can vary depending on:
- Bean type – Robusta beans contain almost twice as much caffeine as Arabica
- Roast level – Dark roasts often have less caffeine than light
- Brew method – Methods like cold brew tend to extract more caffeine
- Measurement inconsistencies – Estimating liquid coffee volume can be imprecise
Many factors influence caffeine levels in a cup of coffee, so while Death Wish likely has a high caffeine content, it may not be exactly double that of regular coffee.
Does Death Wish coffee have dangerous amounts of caffeine?
The idea of dangerously strong coffee may sound concerning. But is Death Wish’s claimed caffeine content actually bad for your health?
The FDA recommends limiting caffeine intake to 400 mg per day or less. For healthy adults, up to 600 mg daily is considered a safe amount.
Drinking one 12 oz cup of Death Wish would provide about 700 mg caffeine, exceeding the daily limit. However, it would take more than 2-3 cups to reach dangerous excessive levels.
As a comparison, a lethal acute dose of caffeine is estimated to be around 10,000 mg. Death Wish coffee is strong, but one would have to drink a very large amount to overdose.
It’s also important to note that people’s sensitivity to caffeine varies greatly depending on factors like genetics and lifestyle habits. Some can easily tolerate Death Wish’s high caffeine content, while others may experience jitters, anxiety or insomnia from just a few sips.
Death Wish Coffee Caffeine Lab Test
In 2016, Death Wish Coffee commissioned a lab test to definitively determine the caffeine content of their coffee compared to other brands.
The test was performed by Chemical Solutions Ltd., an independent lab in Vermont. They measured the caffeine in two types of coffee:
- Death Wish Coffee – 660 mg caffeine per 12 fluid oz
- Leading national coffee brand – 260 mg caffeine per 12 fluid oz
This test confirmed that Death Wish contains over twice the caffeine content of a normal coffee from a leading national brand. However, the 660 mg result was slightly less than the 702 mg claimed on the Death Wish website.
While this test was funded by Death Wish Coffee, it does provide credible third-party verification that they have an exceptionally high caffeine content.
Taste reviews of Death Wish Coffee
Death Wish Coffee is clearly very strong in caffeine content. But how does it actually taste? Here are some reviews of the flavor and experience of drinking Death Wish Coffee:
Positive reviews
- “This coffee is incredibly smooth and robust. Even though it’s potent in caffeine, I don’t get major jitters or stomach irritation like I do with other strong coffees.”
- “I was surprised by how drinkable Death Wish is. It’s got a bold taste but it’s not harsh or burnt like a lot of ultra-dark roasts. I can still finish a whole mug without getting overwhelmed by bitterness.”
- “The mouthfeel is thick and velvety. The notes of chocolate and cherry create an almost dessert-like flavor.”
- “Lives up to its name! Gives me the caffeine kick I need to power through hectic mornings. And it actually tastes good black, which isn’t always the case with ultra-strong coffee.”
Negative reviews
- “I barely got through one sip before I felt my heart racing and hands shaking. Definitely the strongest coffee I’ve ever tried but a little too intense for me.”
- “The bitter taste overpowers everything and just gets worse as it cools. Not very enjoyable despite the caffeine rush.”
- “It smells nice but the actual flavor is quite bland and one-note. At this strength level I want some more complexity.”
- “Gave me horrible jitters and stomach ache. And the flavor wasn’t even worth it. Overly burnt with a stale aftertaste.”
The taste and experience of drinking Death Wish can vary widely depending on individual caffeine sensitivity and taste preferences. Many enjoy its smooth, chocolatey flavor at high strength. Others find it to be excessively bitter or harsh.
Is there a market for such strong coffee?
With its double caffeine content and scary name, Death Wish Coffee clearly isn’t going for the mass market crowd. But is there actually a sizable niche audience for dangerously strong coffee?
Surprisingly, the demand does seem to be there. Death Wish Coffee has grown rapidly, bringing in $10 million in revenue by 2016. As of 2022, it’s now a $100 million dollar company.
Some key target demographics for the brand include:
- Extreme caffeine seekers – Usually people looking for an intense workout boost or trying to power through sleep deprivation. The high caffeine content itself has appeal.
- Dark roast enthusiasts – Fans of bold, dark roasted coffee are attracted by the strong flavor.
- Specialty coffee connoisseurs – Interested in trying unique, extreme coffees from around the world.
- Morbid curiosity – Some may buy it just because the concept sounds so daring and dangerous.
Thanks to smart marketing and positioning, Death Wish Coffee has achieved viral fame and carved out a successful niche for fans of outrageously strong coffee.
Is Death Wish Coffee dangerous?
Death Wish Coffee certainly isn’t for the faint of heart. For most people, it’s probably too strong for daily consumption. But it isn’t inherently dangerous either.
Some key considerations on the safety of Death Wish Coffee:
- Extremely high in caffeine, so it’s easy to overdo it and feel jittery
- Can potentially exacerbate anxiety, heart conditions, etc
- May cause gastrointestinal upset if consumed in excess
- High caffeine dose isn’t ideal for pregnant women
- Can disrupt sleep if consumed late in the day
- Requires caution and moderation for those sensitive to caffeine
However, Death Wish Coffee is unlikely to cause caffeine toxicity or dangerous effects in healthy adults who drink it occasionally and moderately. It provides an extreme caffeine dose but one that is still within the safe range for most people.
Those with certain medical conditions or caffeine sensitivities should likely avoid it though. And it’s smart to start slowly with a small cup rather than simply guzzling very strong coffee out of the gate.
Alternatives to Death Wish for strong coffee
While Death Wish Coffee has earned notoriety as the world’s strongest coffee, it certainly isn’t the only option for a bold, highly caffeinated cup of joe. Some alternatives worth considering include:
- Biohazard Coffee – This is another specialty coffee marketed as one of the world’s strongest, claiming 928 mg of caffeine per 12 oz cup.
- Devil Mountain Black Label – Dark roast with notes of smoke and berries. Has about 476 mg of caffeine per 12 oz cup.
- Verve Coffee Sermon – A light roast yet boasts 483 mg of caffeine per 13 oz mug.
- Lazy Bear Coffee Gaia – Medium-dark beans packed with caffeine, around 434 mg per 12 oz serving.
- Strong brew methods – Intensifying techniques like cold brew can yield a mighty caffeine kick with standard beans.
So while Death Wish corners the market on dangerously strong coffee branding, it isn’t the only way to get an ultra-caffeinated cup. For those who want caffeine without the hype, these alternatives may also provide a powerful buzz.
Is Death Wish worth the hype?
Death Wish Coffee has built a brand around being the world’s strongest coffee. But does it live up to the hype?
Pros
- Very high caffeine content verified by lab testing
- Smooth, robust flavor for an ultra-dark roast
- Appeals to hardcore coffee drinkers chasing a caffeine high
- Fun, edgy branding attracts attention
- Generates intrigue and conversation as a novelty item
Cons
- Excessively bitter and burnt tasting to some
- May cause jitters or stomach upset if consumed in excess
- Not ideal for daily drinking due to potency
- Very expensive compared to average coffee
- More of a novelty than a go-to coffee
Overall, Death Wish Coffee does deliver on its promise of maximum caffeine content backed up by lab testing. For hardcore coffee aficionados seeking a novel jolt of energy, it provides a fun and potent – if expensive – option. But most people will likely find it too intense for their daily cup.
The bottom line on Death Wish Coffee
Death Wish Coffee occupies an extreme niche in the coffee world for better or worse. Here are the key facts to know about Death Wish Coffee:
- With ~660 mg per 12 oz cup, it contains over twice as much caffeine as typical coffee.
- The robust, dark roast coffee beans and brewing process contribute to high caffeine levels.
- The caffeine content isn’t dangerous on its own but easily leads to excess intake.
- It has a naturally bold, robust flavor as an ultra-dark roast.
- Death Wish built a successful brand around strong coffee hype and morbid marketing.
- It appeals mainly to hardcore coffee drinkers seeking a novelty caffeine rush.
- Moderate consumption is fine for healthy adults but it’s easy to overdo.
While not necessarily a must-drink beverage, Death Wish Coffee has carved out a distinctive reputation in the coffee world. It delivers a genuinely strong caffeine kick but almost excessively so. To many, Death Wish is more an extreme novelty than an everyday coffee. But for maximizing caffeine content from beans alone, it appears to live up to the hype.
