Determining how many grams of coffee you need for espresso is all about precision and understanding your flavor profile. That’s because you might use a range of dosages depending on your machine, your beans, and what kind of flavor you prefer. You’ll want to consider all of that when weighing out the dose for your morning shot, and this guide will help you understand why measuring in grams matters, how to figure out how much to use, and more so you can pull shots like a pro.
What is the difference between grind and dose?
Grind size and dose are interrelated, but they’re not the same thing. Dose comes before grind. That means before you do anything to your beans, you’ll want to measure them out, ideally with a scale. That’s how much coffee you’ll want to fit in your portafilter.
The grind size is how finely you want to grind the beans you’ve measured out. For espresso, you’ll want a fairly fine grind, almost like powdered sugar. But be careful, it’s definitely possible to grind your beans too finely and that can clog your machine and ruin your brew.
Does coffee dosage actually matter when brewing espresso?
The short answer is yes, of course it matters! Nailing the dosage for your espresso is the difference between inconsistent, unsatisfying shots and getting it as delicious as possible. Even as little as a gram or two can affect the flow rate, shot time, and yes, even the taste.
If you use too little coffee to make your puck, you can end up with a sour taste or weak and watery. If you use too much, though, then you run the risk of an unpleasant, bitter flavor or serious channeling and even sputtering, making a mess.
That’s why you’ll want to invest in a scale that measures in grams, ideally to the tenth of a gram if possible. That’s the only way to make sure you’re measuring out a consistent dosage every single time.
How many grams of coffee do you need for espresso?
The straightforward answer is about 7–10 grams of coffee, but more nuance goes into it from what kind of setup you’re running to the roast of your beans.
How many grams of coffee do you need for a single espresso shot?
For a single shot of espresso, you’ll need approximately 7–10 grams of coffee, which produces about 25–30 grams of liquid or 1 ounce. In traditional Italian cafes, 7 grams was the standard, but these days, there’s more wiggle room, especially as people opt for slightly larger shots (1.5 oz) or doubles (2–2.5 oz.). The 7-gram standard is also applied with commercial setups in mind over home setups.
At home, you may find that your machine performs better with 9–10 grams of coffee. You’ll also have the freedom to start playing around with your roasts. The darker the roast, the less work you need to do to extract it so you can use a higher dose, according to coffee expert James Hoffmann.
You should also check the size of your portafilter’s basket as many of them are sized with double shots in mind and don’t perform as well when underfilled. Too little coffee in the basket can lead to a watery, weak shot that won’t be worth drinking.
How many grams of coffee do you need for a double shot of espresso?
For a double shot of espresso, you’ll need about 18–20 grams of coffee. That produces about 50–60 milliliters of liquid or about 2 ounces. This is actually the most common espresso type for home and cafe settings as most coffee hounds tend to opt for a little bit extra espresso. That puts the end weight for your shot at around 36–40 grams of espresso, or a 1:2 ratio.
That said, your final weights and results might vary depending on the roast of your beans and your own personal preferences. Adding a little more or less weight to your dose to suit what tastes best to you is what brewing coffee at home is all about. That said, stay close to these ranges as much as you can to avoid weak brews or over-extracted bitter shots.
You’ll also want to double-check the size of your portafilter basket before attempting a double shot. While your basket will likely be big enough, it’s not a guarantee! If yours runs small, you might want to upgrade to one of Pesado’s professional-quality portafilters.
How many grams of caffeine are in a shot of espresso?
People sometimes ask this question, assuming that the gram weight of coffee equals the amount of caffeine, but that’s not true. A shot of espresso contains only about 63 milligrams of caffeine in a single shot (1 oz), and roughly 125 milligrams in a double shot (2 oz), even though it might use 7–20 grams of ground coffee.
People also think espresso contains more caffeine than coffee because it’s so concentrated, but that’s not true either! Because of the volume of a cup of coffee and the brewing method, standard drip coffee has around 40 more milligrams per serving than a double espresso.
Caffeine levels can be affected by many factors, though, including the type of roast (lighter roasts have slightly more caffeine by weight), bean origin and variety, and brewing variables, including extraction time and water temperature.
Tips for measuring coffee for espresso
Now that you know how much coffee to use, at least to start, let’s dive into some more specific tips for measuring your coffee perfectly every time.
Use a high-precision scale
A high-precision scale is an absolute must for weighing your beans at home. That’s because unlike many kitchen scales, these go to the tenth of a gram, allowing you to be incredibly precise with your measurements. Seek one that has a nice, easy-to-read screen, but there’s no real need to worry about any other bells or whistles. They do make precision scales that can read almost instantaneously and are even capable to helping calculate your brew ratio! But those can run upwards of $150, while a more standard precision scale would be close to $50–60. It may also be a good move to get yourself a funnel to more easily get your grounds from the grinder into your portafilter without making a mess or losing any of your carefully measured dose.
Use the correct grind size
In general for espresso machines (not counting moka pots or stovetop brewers), your grounds should be fairly fine. They should clump a bit when you pinch them together, but not stick to your fingers. Think slightly finer than table salt, almost like powdered sugar but not quite. To achieve this kind of grind, you’ll want a burr grinder.
Burr grinders allow for much more precise grinding and are far and away the best option for getting a perfect espresso grind. Electric burr grinders can handle multiple doses at once, getting them all to the ideal size in seconds. But some fiddling will still need to be done on your part to find the right setting for your particular machine. Their many settings allow you to make subtle adjustments until you find your ideal sweet spot.
Know your basket size
While every portafilter basket is designed for a specific dose range, they’re not all designed for the same one. That’s why it’s essential to know the exact size of your particular portafilter. When you buy one or have one that comes with your machine, it will likely be labeled (or you can call and check with the manufacturer). If you didn’t purchase the machine and you’re not sure what brand the portafilter is or what size its basket, you can still determine the size it will just take some math.
Try putting the empty portafilter on a scale and zeroing it out. Put some espresso-ground coffee in the basket, evenly distribute it, and weigh it. Make a note of the grams. Then try inserting it into the espresso machine. If it goes in cleanly without touching any part of the machine while being as filled as possible, that weight is your basket size.
Grind your coffee beans fresh
Always grind your beans fresh. Preground espresso may be convenient, but it’s not going to get you to the best-tasting shot by any stretch. Fresh, whole-bean espresso kept in an airtight container should be ground fresh right before you brew. Old, stale beans can throw off your dose and shot quality, so opt for the freshest, best-quality beans you can afford!
Tamp evenly
Tamping isn’t part of the measuring process, but it is an essential step to understanding how to load your portafilter. You don’t want to go through all the trouble of carefully grinding and measuring your dose, only to tamp it poorly and ruin the shot. Simply apply even, level pressure while gripping the tamper as you would a doorknob. Your elbow and forearm should be held directly above the basket as you apply pressure. This will help ensure water flows through the puck consistently, evenly saturating it.
How to troubleshoot espresso that tastes off
Brewing yourself and finding that your shots don’t taste the way you want? That’s okay. Making perfect espresso every time is a finicky process. There’s a lot to learn and a lot that can go wrong. Here are a few common issues and how you can handle them:
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Sour or sharp flavor: This is often caused by under-extraction, typically due to too coarse of a grind or too small of a dose.
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Bitter, unpleasant flavor: This can mean over-extraction, often from too fine of a grind or an overly long brew time.
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Weak or watery shots: This can happen when your dose is too light or your puck is poorly prepped, especially if the portafilter basket is too big for the dose.
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Spraying or channeling: If espresso sprays or channels during the shot, that often signals inconsistent tamping or clumpy grounds.
Getting the perfect dosage for espresso starts here!
When you know how many grams of coffee make your ideal cup, you’re well on your way to seeing how incredible a home-brewed cup can be. All the little tweaks and special attention paid to how you achieve the dose and grind for your beans can go a long way.
Why not keep leveling up with professional-quality tools from Pesado? Our portafilters, tampers, and distribution tools are just a few of the amazing accessories you’ll find in our robust collection.
