Are you tired of ending up with a weak or overpowering cup of coffee? Do you want to know the secret formula for achieving the perfect balance of flavor and strength? Look no further! In this article, we will reveal the golden ratio of ground coffee to water, as well as some additional tips to enhance your brewing experience.

The Golden Ratio

The Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) developed the Golden Ratio to guide coffee enthusiasts in achieving the ideal blend of coffee and water. This ratio typically falls between 1:15 and 1:18 (coffee to water). To put it into perspective, for a 150ml cup, you would need approximately 8.3g of coffee. The SCAA suggests a coffee-to-water ratio of 55g/L ± 10% to achieve the Golden Cup Standard.

It’s important to work with consistent units for accurate calculations. Therefore, it’s recommended to use grams as your preferred unit of measurement. This adjustment makes the calculations in the Golden Ratio much easier to follow.

How Many Coffee Beans to Use

If you’re wondering how many coffee beans you need for the Golden Ratio, the answer is roughly 70 beans. Interesting fact: Ludwig van Beethoven, the famous composer, used to count out 60 beans per cup for his coffee. However, for those of us lacking the genius-level attention to detail, aim for around one and a half tablespoons of ground coffee per cup.

Table with Grams and Tablespoons

For your convenience, here’s a handy table showing the amounts of coffee needed to make up to twelve cups at a time:

Cup of Brewed Coffee (150ml) Coffee Grounds (g) Tablespoons
1 8.3 1.6
2 16.6 3.2
5 41.5 8
6 49.8 9.6
8 66.4 12.8
10 83 16
12 99.6 18.2

If you’re brewing coffee for a larger group, simply scale up the ratio calculation we discussed earlier. Here are a few examples to guide you:

  • For four cups of coffee, you would need approximately 33.2g of coffee grounds.
  • For eight cups of coffee, aim for around 67g of coffee grounds.
  • For ten cups of coffee, use approximately 83g of coffee grounds.
  • And for twelve cups of coffee, you’ll need roughly 100g of coffee grounds.

Additional Tips

To ensure the best results and save money, consider the following tips:

  • Opt for a burr or mill grinder to achieve consistent ground particle size.
  • When using a coffee machine, always tamp down or compress the grounds for better extraction.
  • Adjust the grind size based on the type of coffee you’re making. Finer grounds are ideal for espresso, while coarser grounds work well for auto-drip machines and cafeterias.

By following these guidelines, you’ll be well on your way to brewing the perfect cup of coffee every time. Remember to experiment and adjust the ratio based on your personal taste preferences. For more information and resources on coffee brewing, visit Chefwaynes-bigmamou. Happy brewing!

Nigel Gildon editor:Nigel Gildon is the editor of Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou: Chef Wayne’s Big Mamou. He has worked in the publishing industry for many years and has a passion for helping new authors get their work into the hands of readers. 63 Liberty Street * Springfield, MA 01003

This post was last modified on 12/28/2023 7:17 pm