The golden ratio
Coffee brewing is all about extraction, and the ratio of coffee to water is the single biggest dial. The Specialty Coffee Association's golden ratio is 1:16 — one part coffee to sixteen parts water by weight. Since 1 ml of water weighs 1 g, the ratio works in grams and milliliters interchangeably.
Ratios by brew method
| Method | Ratio | Example (250 ml) |
|---|---|---|
| Espresso | 1:2 | 15g → 30g shot |
| Moka pot | 1:7–1:8 | 33g → 250 ml |
| Pour-over / drip | 1:15–1:17 | 15–17g → 250 ml |
| French press | 1:12–1:15 | 17–21g → 250 ml |
| Cold brew (concentrate) | 1:5–1:8 | 50g → 250 ml |
Why grams beat scoops
Roast, grind size and brand all change how much coffee fits in a scoop — a tablespoon can hold anywhere from 4 to 7 grams. Weighing your coffee costs nothing (a scale is ~$10) and makes every cup reproducible. Start at 1:16 and adjust 1 gram at a time: more coffee = stronger and more syrupy; less = brighter and thinner.