When making a kickass cup of coffee at home, water can be just as important as the beans you use. So, what’s the right coffee to water ratio? While there is a standard water ratio to work from, it can change depending on the type of coffee you pick and the brewing method you use. Learn the key to making a perfect cup of joe with these answers to common coffee making questions.
What coffee to water ratio should I use?
It can be easy to mess up a perfectly good cup of coffee if you don’t know how much water to add. Thankfully, coffee experts around the world have figured out a tried-and-true, gold standard ratio: 1:17. It stands for 1 gram of coffee for every 17 grams of water. If you want a “stronger” cup of coffee, adding more coffee beans may not actually help. Instead, opt for a darker roast for more full-bodied flavor. And if you’re looking for more caffeine , consider a light roast blend. But there are exceptions to the golden rule. More on that later.
How many scoops of coffee make one cup? Or twelve?
We realize not everyone is weighing their coffee or water by the gram. Instead, the average Joe uses the scoop method. When considering volume, the ratio ends up more like 1-2 tablespoons of grinded coffee for every six ounces of water in your drip coffee maker (and adjust as needed). For multiple cups, simply multiply the ratio. So, if you want 12 cups of coffee, use 12-24 tablespoons and 72 ounces of water.
How do coffee brewing methods differ?
Here’s where it gets tricky. The golden standard will deliver if you like drip coffee or a manual pour-over. However, other brewing methods require some tweaking. For example, an espresso uses a ratio of 1:2, an Aeropress’ ratio is 1:6, a French Press is best with 1:12, and cold brew is at its prime with a 9:40 ratio. At the end of the day, everyone is different. You still may need to adjust your ratio to taste. Use this handy calculator to find a good starting place.
How does the water I use impact my coffee?
When added to ground coffee beans, water extracts the flavor and caffeine from ground coffee beans. Your coffee may be weak if you use too much water or if the water you use isn’t at the right temperature. The flavor can also be impacted by the type of water you use. While tap water makes your coffee taste its best, it can differ depending on if your area has hard or soft water.
How to make the perfect cup of Haymaker?
Whether you buy our Heavyweight , Middleweight or other Haymaker roast, you’re guaranteed to get coffee packed with flavor. And a little goes a long way, you only need one tablespoon for every eight ounces of water to make a killer cup of Haymaker in your coffee maker. To learn how to brew Haymaker with different methods, check out our simple guide .