Measuring the right amount of coffee grounds to make that perfect cup of joe may be trickier than you think. Let’s discuss the right amount of coffee grounds to cup ratio to ensure you’re sipping on the best coffee you’ve ever drank.
What are coffee grounds?
Coffee grounds are the leftovers of the roasted coffee bean, now also known as the “coffee grounds left in the filter”. When coffee beans are roasted, they are heated between 200 and 400 degrees Celsius, causing the beans to pop like popcorn inside the roaster. During the popping process, the coffee beans swell, rupture, and break open, and all of the coffee’s natural oils are “swept” towards the surface of the bean, where they are then extracted into the coffee grounds. The coffee beans are then bagged and sold as coffee beans for brewing at home. Coffee grounds are usually made from Arabica or Robusta coffee beans. However, the coffee flavor in coffee grounds is less potent than what the beans would produce if you brewed them. Coffee grounds are a mixture of coffee bean skin, starchy coffee bean flesh, and oils. Coffee grounds also have a small amount of caffeine in them per serving: 15-30mg.
How much coffee per cup should you use?
The amount of coffee grounds you put in a coffee maker may change depending on the type of coffee you brew. Otherwise, the ratio is usually 1 tablespoon of coffee grounds per every 6 ounces of water. If you like your coffee strong, then you may want to add more grounds. The more you put in, the stronger the taste and aroma of the coffee will be. If you want a milder taste, then you should use less grounds. Coffee can be measured by “coffee scoops” or “coffee spoons”. Coffee scoops are usually larger than coffee spoons and can be used to measure both coffee beans and coffee grounds. Coffee spoons usually hold around 1 teaspoon of coffee grounds.
Do different types of coffee require more or less coffee grounds?
You may have noticed that some roasts are labeled as “bold” and others as “mild”. The difference in these types of coffee is the length of time the coffee beans are roasted. The longer the beans are roasted, the darker in color they become, and the stronger the flavor. The shorter the beans are roasted, the lighter in color they become, and the milder the flavor. You may be wondering if the length of roasting affects the amount of coffee grounds you need. Well, actually, the amount of coffee beans and the amount of coffee grounds you use remains the same no matter the type of coffee. So how come some roasts require more coffee grounds than others? Let’s take a peek at what’s actually happening inside the coffee maker. As soon as you pour water into the coffee maker, it begins to heat up and start bubbling. The water bubbles, later releasing the coffee flavor into the water, release CO2, which then rises to the top of the coffee maker. The amount of CO2 bubbles released by the coffee grounds determines the strength of the coffee. If there are more CO2 bubbles, then there is more CO2 being released and it is stronger.
Conclusion
The biggest slip-up people make when making coffee is using too few coffee grounds. If you don’t use enough coffee, then the brew will taste weak, watery, and bland. Luckily, it is easy to measure the amount of coffee beans and water you need to make a good cup of coffee. The best way to make sure your coffee is as strong as possible is to use the correct amount of coffee grounds. If you like your coffee to have a bit of a kick, then use more coffee grounds. If you like your coffee to be mild, then use less coffee grounds.