Coffee Ratio

  The coffee ratio is the key to making a perfect cup of coffee. Learn about the ideal ratio of coffee to water, how to measure coffee grinds, and tips for achieving the perfect coffee preparation.

 before you begin

 Finding the best grind size for your beans is the first step to improving your coffee game. Use a balanced coffee-to-water ratio to start with. Sixty grams per liter is a good guideline. Use a coarser grind than usual for how you brew your coffee and fine-tune it until it tastes too bitter, then go back to slightly coarser than that. You’re set. Make sure to only tweak one variable at a time, so you can tell what makes a difference for you. Then, you need to dial in the right dose. 

setting everything up  

  There is no universal answer, just what works for you. Making awesome coffee is like science because you want to repeat good results and avoid bad ones.  The best way to do that is to measure everything. I recommend using a kitchen scale to measure your coffee, so you have a consistent reference point. My grinder measures by time, which means the amount of grinds varies with the grind size. I found this out when I ground some beans for espresso and didn’t change it back to medium grind. The amount of grounds was very different from what I expected. To measure your grounds precisely, you need a scale that can reset with the container on it. I put the drip coffee basket, or the french press container, etc… on the scale, press reset, and then pour in coffee. Using grams also solves the problems with volume. A fine grind is denser than a coarse grind. 

the method  

  When measuring water, measure what you put in, not what you get out. Coffee bloom, or crema for espresso, are gas bubbles that occupy space. Also, some water remains with the grounds, which changes the output and depends on how you brew your coffee. Now that the grind size is nailed down, try playing with the ratio a little. Use more grounds or less water for stronger coffee, and vice versa for weaker coffee. 

final thoughts

    The ratio also influences the extraction, just like the grind size. If you use any drip method, the more grounds there are, the longer it will take for the water to filter through them.  A thicker bed of grinds is going to slow down the water more.  Have fun experimenting until you discover the best way to match your personal preferences.