How to Make Good Coffee Consistently: A Water-to-Coffee Brew Ratio Guide
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The secret to consistently great coffee lies in mastering the water-to-coffee ratio. In this article, we'll explore the perfect proportions for various brewing methods, helping you brew a balanced cup every time. You can use a scale for your measurements or a cup and tablespoon, for both we have you covered below.
Read on and check out the downloadable chart at the end.
Understanding Water-To-Coffee Ratios
Simply put, brew ratios are the volume of water (ounces) poured over or into you coffee brewing device compared to the weight of ground coffee used being brewed (grams). This ratio significantly affects your coffee's taste, strength, and overall quality.
Tools for Good Measurement
It’s easy to start with a cup and a tablespoon, but to develop coffee brewing consistency invest in:
A quality digital scale for weighing coffee - I recommend this scale.
A marked beaker for water measurement (with both ml and fl oz markings) - I like this one from Hario.
Ideal Brew Ratios For Each Brewer Type
Auto Dripper Method
For automatic drip coffee makers, I recommend a 16:1 brew ratio.
This translates to:
1200 ml (40 fl oz) water to 75 grams (12 tablespoons) coffee
This ratio produces a well-balanced brew that works well for most coffee types. If you find it too strong or weak, adjust slightly: use more water for a weaker brew or more coffee for a stronger cup.
French Press Method
French press coffee typically uses a slightly stronger 15:1 brew ratio:
900 ml (30 fl oz) water to 60 grams (10 tablespoons) coffee
This ratio complements the French press's full-immersion brewing style, resulting in a rich, full-bodied cup. The slightly higher coffee concentration stands up well to the metallic filter rather than the paper filter of other brewers, which allows more oils and fine particles into your cup.
Check out my popular Back-to-Basics French Press video and article.
Pour-Over Dripper Method
Pour-over methods often use a slightly bigger water to coffee brew ratio of 17:1:
475 ml (16 fl oz) water to 28 grams (4.5 tablespoons) coffee
This higher water ratio suits the pour-over method well, as it allows for a slower extraction process that highlights the coffee's subtle flavors and aromas. The result is typically a cleaner, brighter cup compared to other methods.
AeroPress Method
The AeroPress uses a much stronger ratio of 10:1:
200 ml (7 fl oz) water to 20 grams (3.5 tablespoons) coffee
This concentrated ratio works well with the AeroPress's unique pressure brewing system. It produces a strong brew that can be enjoyed as is or diluted with additional hot water for an Americano-style drink.
Don’t Forget: Adjusting Ratios for Personal Preference
While these ratios provide excellent starting points, feel free to adjust based on your taste preferences. For stronger coffee, use more grounds or less water. For weaker coffee, do the opposite. Remember, grind size also plays a crucial role in extraction, so adjust this alongside your ratio experiments.
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