Brew Ratios for the most popular methods

Is this you:

“I use the same coffee every day… why does my each brew taste so different?!”

Two words:

Brewing Ratios!

Think of them as the recipe that makes or breaks your coffee experience.

Imagine you're in the kitchen, whipping up your favorite dish. Just like adjusting salt and pepper to taste, brewing ratios tweak the balance between coffee and water. This little tweak can be a game-changer, bringing out hidden flavors in your beans and creating a perfectly balanced cup that dances on your taste buds.

So, grab your favorite mug, today we're diving into the world of coffee brewing ratios. Each ratio adjustment is helping you hone in on different flavors and notes of your coffee. Let's explore the essential ratios for five popular brewing methods: pour-over, french press, automatic drip, espresso, and AeroPress.

Brewing Method Coffee to Water Ratio
Pour-Over 1:16
French Press 1:15
Automatic Drip 1:17
Espresso 1:2 (dose to yield ratio)
AeroPress 1:10 (standard method)

Whether you prefer the elegant simplicity of pour-over, the rich immersion of french press, the convenience of automatic drip, the intense espresso shots, or the versatility of AeroPress, each method requires a specific ratio to highlight the unique characteristics of the coffee.

Pour Over

For pour-over, begin with a ratio of 1 part coffee to 16 parts water. This balance allows the flavors to unfold gracefully. An example here might 20g of coffee brewed with 320g of water. This is a 1:16 ratio.

For those seeking a bolder cup, the french press ratio of 1 part coffee to 15 parts water amplifies the richness and produces a velvety texture.

Pour over includes V60, Kalita Wave, Chemex, Fellow Stagg XF, and nearly any other brewer where you pour the water over the grounds and it filters directly out of the bottom. Brewers like the Clever Dripper are technically a hybrid of pour over and immersion brewing, and we will do a separate article on those!

Automatic Brewers

Automatic drip brewers excel with a ratio of 1 part coffee to 17 parts water, resulting in a consistently clean and refreshing brew.

Espresso

Espresso, the concentrated essence of coffee, requires a different approach. The ratio is determined by the dose to yield, typically 1 part coffee to 2 parts extracted beverage.

Espresso is its own beast! I’m mentioning this here as a point of comparison. There are many ratios and styles of brewing espresso that differ from 1:2 ratios.

AeroPress

AeroPress, a versatile brewer loved for its compact design, thrives with a ratio of 1 part coffee to 10 parts water. This ratio yields concentrated, full-bodied coffee with options to adjust variables like grind size, brew time, and water temperature.

Wrap up

How ever you choose to brew your coffee, use this table as a starting point to experiment. Remember, these ratios are not set in stone but rather stepping stones to the realm of coffee exploration. It's not about chasing perfection, but uncovering the complexities and flavors that coffee offers, just as one would explore the nuances of a fine wine or savor the intricacies of a gourmet meal.

Cheers to the art, science, and passion that go into mastering the perfect cup of coffee! May each sip transport you to a world of sensory delight and shared appreciation for this remarkable beverage!

Did you know we're launching our own coffee soon? Make sure you're subscribe to our email list to be the first to know when we launch! 

Thanks for reading!

Written by Cole Morgan

Sign up for Coffee Emails!

Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.