This is our review of the strongest K cup coffee in 2023.
Some people have high caffeine tolerance and others need the strongest coffee possible to eliminate fatigue, midday doldrums and to hustle all night.
I’m a very passionate coffee enthusiast who researched about the strongest k cup coffee to help you find the strongest k cup.
And I found that Death Wish Coffee K-Cups (Death Cups) is the best overall Strongest K cup Coffee.
However, everyone is different and so are their preferences. Therefore, I’ve included reviews of the strongest K cups available, as one size may not fit all.
Let’s get started.
Our Top 10 Picks For The Strongest K cup Coffee
1. Death Wish Coffee K-Cups (Death Cups) – Best Overall
2. Devil Mountain Coffee Black Label K Cup – Highest In Caffeine
3. Death Wish Coffee Valhalla Java – Best Flavorful Coffee
4. Banned Coffee Single Serve Capsules – Best Medium Dark Roast
5. Wake The Hell Up! Ultra-Caffeinated Coffee For K-Cup – Best Blend Coffee
6. Black Rifle CAF Coffee Rounds – Best Gluten Free
7. Starbucks Dark Roast K-Cup Coffee Pods with 2X Caffeine – Strongest From Starbucks
8. Shock Coffee Extra Strength Single Serve Pods – Best Smooth Coffee
9. REVV No Surrender, Single-Serve Keurig K-Cup Pods – Best Dark Roast
10. Café Bustelo Espresso Style Dark Roast – Best For Milk & Sugar
10 Strongest K cup Coffee Reviewed
Here is our detailed review of each product, but before choosing one please look its caffeine level and read the recommended consumption levels.
Death Wish Coffee K-Cups (Death Cups)
- Roast Type: Dark Roast
- Bean Type: Blend of Arabica & Robusta
- Flavor: Undertones of Dark Chocolate and Black Cherry
- Diet Type: Organic, Gluten Free and Vegan
- Compatibile With: Keurig 1.0 & 2.0, Breville, Cuisinart, and Mr. Coffee machines
There is no doubt that Death Wish is a strong contender when we name the strongest coffee, be it a K cup or coffee beans.
This K cup is a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans, roasted in small batches to give you strong flavorful coffee with no bitterness and aftertaste.
And a K of this coffee is sufficient enough to give you a caffeine kick and really helps in walking up in the morning or before workout/gym.
Death’s Cup also has a low acid content, which means it will be gentler on your stomach and good for those suffering from GERD and IBS symptoms.
However, many find it more expensive than other strong dark roast coffees, with a Death Cup costing around $1 – $1.3 depending on pack size.
Devil Mountain Coffee Black Label K Cup
- Roast Type: Dark Roast
- Bean Type: Gourmet Blend
- Flavor: Deep Rich Flavors with Notes of Chocolate
- Diet Type: USDA Organic
- Compatibile With: Keurig 1.0 & 2.0
Black label K cup made with a gourmet coffee blend is the most strongest coffee available in the market.
The company claims that it has 200% more caffeine than your typical cup of coffee but according to caffeine informer, this coffee contains 1555 mg of caffeine per 12 oz cup.
Which is very energizing and really gives you a kick but keep in mind that it is almost 4 times the recommended level.
Although, if you can tolerate and digest this much amount of caffeine then only you should look at this option and if you are a beginner who just starts out then I don’t recommend it to you, sorry.
The flavor of the coffee is rich and full-bodied; however, a few people find it tastes bitter, but after drinking it doesn’t give you jitters.
As it is a very strong coffee, it is one of the great options to mix cream or syrup with the beverage and iced coffee with this is another great choice as it doesn’t have a watered-down taste.
The coffee also comes with the USDA Organic Seal which means you will not be consuming any harmful chemicals.
Death Wish Coffee Valhalla Java (Odin Cups)
- Roast Type: Dark (French) Roast
- Bean Type: Blend of Arabica & Robusta
- Flavor: Sweet and Smooth with Nutty and Chocolatey Flavor Notes
- Diet Type: Organic and Vegan
- Compatibile With: Keurig 1.0 & 2.0
Unlike Death Cups which is a blend of two beans varietals, this Valhalla Java is a combination of three roast blends which is from Indonesia, Central and South America.
In terms of taste, it’s intense and strong but very smooth, earthy aroma and without bitterness. And it is one of the best-tasting coffee from Death Wish.
Caffeine Informer reports having a caffeine content of around 485 mg per 8 fluid ounces cup and we also strongly recommend not to consume this if you don’t know your caffeine digesting limits.
This coffee is sufficient enough to remove your fatigue and you’ll feel excitement throughout the day.
And finally, people keep complaining this is also an expensive option as 1 Odin cup will cost you around $1.5 – $1.2.
Banned Coffee Single Serve Capsules
- Roast Type: Medium-Dark Roast
- Bean Type: Blend of Arabica & Robusta Beans
- Flavor: Bold Flavor, Notes of Berries and Chocolate
- Diet Type: Not Mentioned
- Compatibile With: Keurig 1.0 & 2.0
The banned coffee k cup is filled with the medium dark roast house blend of Arabica and Robusta coffee beans that gives you full-bodied, rich flavor and exquisite aroma.
The coffee is comparatively a more healthier option than other fellow k cups as it is rich in some vitamins, minerals and antioxidant levels which can lower your cholesterol levels, improve skin health and protect you from several diseases.
Caffeine informer reports that a 12 fluid ounce cup has around 474 mg of caffeine, which is again very strong and can give you a jolt of caffeine kick and charges you for the daily hustle.
According to the company, if you add a little French Vanilla or Hazelnut creamer to the coffee then can be way more addictive and joyous. Although, I’ve tried this option myself.
Wake The Hell Up! Ultra-Caffeinated Coffee For K-Cup
- Roast Type: Medium Dark Roast
- Bean Type: Blend of Arabica & Robusta
- Flavor: Multiple Flavor Options
- Diet Type: Gluten Free
- Compatibile With: Keurig 1.0 & 2.0, Breville, Cuisinart, and Mr. Coffee machines
Wake The Hell Up K cup coffee is a blend of Central and South American Arabica and Robusta beans with up to 50% more caffeine than a regular k cup.
So, it surely breaks your morning slumber and gives you the energy to do your daily activities.
We’re recommending their original blend, but this K cup also comes in several flavor options with the same level of boldness, no bitterness and aftertaste.
Some of them are cannoli-flavored, blueberry-flavored, cinnamon-flavored and it also comes in a variety pack – So that with one box you can taste every flavor according to your mood.
The k cup comes in a medium-dark roast profile that is roasted in small batches in Utica, New York; so, you get fresh and aromatic coffee every time you buy it.
Black Rifle CAF Coffee Rounds
- Roast Type: Medium Roast
- Bean Type: Blend of Arabica Beans
- Flavor: Maple Syrup, Milk Chocolate and Clove
- Diet Type: Gluten Free
- Compatibile With: Keurig 1.0 & 2.0
Black Rifle CAF coffee k cups are for those who prefer medium roast coffee but do not want to compromise on strong bold flavor and caffeine levels that will leave you feeling energized.
The full form of CAF is ‘Caffeinated As F**k’ and this coffee is the strongest BRCC coffee that tries to deliver twice the caffeine amount than a regular k cup.
This coffee is a blend of South American Arabica beans, freshly roasted in small batches before reaching you and gives you a slightly sweet and smooth flavor without any harshness.
Black Rifle Coffee Company (BRCC) is owned and operated by US military veterans. And you can sense these things like rather than mentioning the number of cups they mentioned rounds, little thing but sounds great!
And they stand for a good cause too, so if you shop with them – indirectly you are going to support more such veterans in jobs and entrepreneurship.
Starbucks Dark Roast K-Cup Coffee Pods with 2X Caffeine
- Roast Type: Dark Roast
- Bean Type: Arabica Blends
- Flavor: Dark Cocoa and Caramelized Sugar Notes
- Diet Type: Kosher
- Compatibile With: Keurig 1.0 & 2.0
Starbucks dark roast 2X caffeine K cup, formerly known as Starbucks Plus is the strongest, robust and one of the most highly caffeinated coffee from Starbucks.
According to Caffeine Informer, a normal Starbucks dark roast coffee has 190 mg of caffeine per 8 fl. oz. but this 2X caffeine K cup has 260 mg of caffeine per 8 fluid ounce cup.
Which is around 1.5X more caffeine and is lesser than claimed but nonetheless, this is still very caffeinated coffee that comes from Latin American Arabica blends.
This is a dark roast coffee (Caffè Verona) but it feels like a medium-dark roast. Starbucks has also added natural caffeine which comes from coffee cherry and green coffee extracts.
And the best thing about this is along with having extra caffeine than regular coffee, it has no added bitterness and tastes similar to other Starbucks Dark Roast coffees which are full of flavor without the burnt taste.
Shock Coffee Extra Strength Single Serve Cups
- Roast Type: Medium-Dark Roast
- Bean Type: Blend of Arabica & Robusta Beans
- Flavor: Robust Taste and Smooth Finish
- Diet Type: Kosher
- Compatibile With: Keurig 1.0 & 2.0
The medium dark roast blend of arabica and Robusta gives you a bold, strong and smooth taste and as it is roasted in smaller batches, so you’ll get a 12.5 grams fresher cup every time.
The company didn’t mention the exact caffeine content, but the extra-strength coffee contains 75% more caffeine than a cup of regular K and 25% more caffeine than other shock coffees and is also naturally caffeinated.
This coffee company also stands up for a good cause and donates a portion of its sales to the Friends of Jacqueline Foundation which helps fight childhood cancer.
REVV No Surrender, Single-Serve Keurig K-Cup Pods
- Roast Type: Dark Roast
- Bean Type: Premium Arabica Beans
- Flavor: Dark, Bold and Earthy Notes
- Diet Type: Kosher
- Compatibile With: Keurig 1.0 & 2.0
Revv K cup coffee is made with Central American Arabica beans which gives an overpowering feel and fills you up with caffeine.
There’s no doubt that the coffee is extra bold, intensely flavored and satisfyingly smooth and is capable of saving you from burnout or drowsiness. Also, the brand line reflects, Revv is for early risers, all-nighters and daily grinders
Revv and Keurig haven’t published any data about caffeine but according to an estimate of caffeine informer, it is likely that Revv K cups contain 15.88 mg of caffeine per fluid ounce.
After you brew, you can definitely see and feel the oils present in the coffee but it doesn’t taste bitter or have an awful aftertaste and also the coffee is less acidic.
Café Bustelo Espresso Style Dark Roast K-Cup Pods
- Roast Type: Espresso-style Dark Roast
- Bean Type: Distinct Blend of Selected Beans
- Flavor: Robust Flavor, Captivating Aroma & Hint of Nut
- Diet Type: Kosher
- Compatibile With: Keurig 1.0 & 2.0
Café Bustelo is an espresso style, dark roasted, medium grind size, Latin American coffee that’s great for making vibrant coffee with an almost espresso flavor.
It is not mentioned on the box that how to perfect your espresso drink using this k cup but we recommend using less water or a smaller serving size to get the closest taste.
In addition, it is a great coffee if you make it with milk-based beverages or add sugar, such as a cortado or café con leche, the taste of coffee doesn’t fade out with these mix-ups.
According to the consumer team of Café Bustelo, per k cup is packed with 100-150 mg of caffeine and the caffeine informer reported that 12 fluid ounces of this coffee contains around 150 mg of caffeine.
So, it will give you a jolt of caffeine kick and also the coffee is delicious and loved by the Hispanic community for generations and if you belong to this community then you must try it.
Shopping For Strong K Cup Coffee
Before choosing the strongest K-cup coffee, you need to look at several factors:
Bean Type & Blend
Look, every coffee roaster uses different types of beans and their blends but the most widely used and preferred beans are Arabica and Robusta.
Arabica beans are on the sweeter side & have almost 50% more sugar and lipids than robusta. Whereas, Robusta beans are strong & taste bitter, and are almost 40% – 50% high in caffeine than Arabica.
So, stronger k cups extensively use a blend of arabica and robusta beans to maximize the flavor, boldness and strongness at the same time.
In addition to single-origin; K cups can have only arabica blends or blends of arabica and robusta from different regions of the world.
You’ll also see that k cups mention on their box 100% Arabica or any single type of bean and at the same time they are highly strong and caffeinated.
This is because they have chosen the strongest Arabica beans or it is likely that they have added liquid caffeine or naturally extracted caffeine from the beans.
Roast Type
There are several roast profiles available for k cups in the market but when it comes to choosing a stronger k cup, dark roast coffee tops the list.
Let’s look at the flavor profile of each roast type quickly;
Light Roast: Sweetness, lighter floral and fruity notes.
Medium Roast: Mellow, smooth, balanced and well-rounded flavors.
Dark Roast: Bittersweet, dark chocolate, robust and extra bold flavor profile.
Now, if you have any confusion about caffeine and roast profile as some say light roast has the highest amount of caffeine and some say dark roast.
See, it’s simple, light roast beans have the highest amount of caffeine because it is roasted for less time, so there is less time for caffeine breakdown and also it is heavier and denser.
But but but… this is the case when you compare side by side a single bean of light roast and dark roast. But if you compare them by weight, then darker roast has the highest caffeine because it is light in weight.
A typical cup contains about 10 grams of coffee, so before grinding when you weigh light roast beans then it is around 71 beans and when you weigh dark roast it is around 77 beans. (Source)
As there is a very slight difference in caffeine content between these two roasts, when we compare them by weight, dark roast actually leads has the most caffeine content.
How To Make the Strongest Coffee With K-Cups
Recommend K cups are generally strong enough to satisfy your caffeine cravings but if you want more punch then here are some ways that may help you.
Preheat the Machine
The ideal brewing temperature for great coffee is 195°F – 205°F, anything less than this range will brew you a weaker cup and generally k cups too are a weaker brewing method than immersion or percolation method.
That’s why it is always better to preheat your Keurig machine because sometimes or with some machines it is hard to hit the given temperature in the first run.
So, put nothing in place of the k cup in your machine and press the oz. button and let it complete one cycle and you are good to go but make sure you have filled the water tank.
Strong Button
Strong Button – A feature available in some Keurig machines that gives you the option of making your coffee stronger.
The strong button basically delays the entire brewing time by up to a minute depending on the serving size.
The reason for the delay is that the machine releases water in intervals rather than all at once, resulting in more caffeine and flavor.
Small Serving Size
Whatever process we use to brew, we have to follow the brew ratio / coffee-to-water ratio, and a change in this will either give you a stronger or weaker cup.
It is the same with Keurig machines, it comes in several serving size options, such as 4oz, 6oz, 8oz, 10oz and 12oz.
The smaller cup size you choose, the less water you add to your coffee and the stronger your brew.
So, if you want the strongest coffee then select the 4 oz option or whatever is lowest in your machine.
Brew Twice
Now, this section is for someone who needs the strongest coffee from a k cup and this is something you should not do every time.
So, the process is simple; brew coffee with a k cup, keeping in mind that you have selected a smaller serving size and if your machine has a strong option then select it too.
After brewing, pour your coffee into the water tank and put another k cup and run the brewing cycle.
So, what you’ll get is dark, bold and highly caffeinated coffee that may taste bitter but it is the strongest you can get.
Consequences of Consuming Caffeine
Before going to the consequences, let’s first look at how much caffeine you should consume in a day.
If you are a healthy adult, then according to the US Food and Drug & European Food Safety Authority, it is better for your health to limit your caffeine consumption to up to 400 mg a day.
And the FDA also advises never to consume 1200 mg of caffeine in a flash as it can show you toxic effects like seizures.
Some of the common side effects of over-consuming of coffee are:
- Insomnia
- Jitters & restlessness
- Anxiousness
- Heart palpitations
- Upset stomach
However, if you are within your limits then consuming coffee and caffeine may show you some positive results too.
Since it lowers the risk of developing Parkinson’s disease, coronary heart problems and some chronic liver diseases and as it is rich in antioxidants, it protects you from other diseases as well.
Final Thoughts on the Strongest K Cup Coffee
As you’ve read, we’ve reviewed several Strongest k cup coffee, some have exceptional caffeine levels and some has bold smoky flavors.
And what stands out on all these parameters is the Death Wish Coffee K-Cups (Death Cups) – packed full of caffeine and flavors.
But if your only priority is caffeine or a strong taste, you can choose one from our recommended list.
