What is the golden ratio for coffee brewing?

The SCA (Specialty Coffee Association) golden cup standard recommends a ratio of 1:16 to 1:17. This translates to roughly 60 grams of coffee per 1,000 grams (1 liter) of water, or 15 grams of coffee for a standard 250ml mug.

How much water should I use for coffee blooming?

The bloom phase requires roughly 2 to 3 times the dry coffee weight in water. For a 15g coffee dose, pour 45g of water and let the coffee bed degas for 35 to 45 seconds before continuing your main pour.

Coffee Brew Ratio Calculator & Pour Guide

Master Your Coffee to Water Ratio

Calculate precise bean doses, water weights, and bloom stages for pour-over, espresso, French press, and immersion brewers.

Coffee Beans Dose (grams)

Single cup ~15-18g • Double cup / sharing ~30g

Brew Ratio (1 : X) 1 : 16.0

Strong (1:14) Balanced Standard (1:16) Delicate / Tea-like (1:18)

Barista Recipe Parameters

Recommended Grind Medium-Fine

Water Temp 93°C / 200°F

Target Brew Time 2:45 - 3:15

Total Water Required

288 g / ml

for 18.0g of freshly ground coffee

Step 1: Bloom Phase Degas CO2 & swirl

54g

Step 2: First Pour Pour in gentle circles up to

170g

Step 3: Final Pour Center pour to target total

288g

Recommended Pour-Over Gear

Barista-tested gooseneck kettles & 0.1g digital scales

Precision Scale (0.1g) → Gooseneck Kettle →

Understanding Coffee Extraction & Water Chemistry

Brewing delicious specialty coffee is a game of chemistry and surface area. When hot water touches ground coffee, it dissolves fruit acids first, sugars second, and bitter plant cellulose compounds last. If your brew tastes unpleasantly sour, you have under-extracted (grind finer or increase brew ratio); if it leaves a chalky, astringent dry bitterness on your tongue, you have over-extracted (grind coarser or lower water temperature).