Determining the right number of scoops for coffee can feel like rocket science. Especially if you aren’t familiar with things like “the golden ratio” or the fact that a cup of coffee is not 8 fluid ounces like it is with other liquids… Let’s dive into what it takes to make a well-balanced cup of coffee, and how many scoops you need to make 12 cups of coffee with your standard sized coffee maker.
The Golden Ratio
To make the perfect cup of coffee that isn't too strong or too weak, most coffee lovers follow a “golden ratio” of sorts. The golden ratio is simply the proportion of coffee and water needed to brew a balanced cup of coffee. A cup of coffee is accepted to be 6 fluid ounces. There is some confusion on this subject with various publications claiming 8 fluid ounces as the standard cup of coffee. But for clarity's sake, we’ll consider 6 fluid ounces as the standard.
The golden ratio is widely considered to be 16:1,Water:coffee. That means that for every 16 parts of water, you want 1 part of coffee. 1 fluid ounce of water equals 29.6 ml of water which is 29.6 grams, as the density of water is 1 gram/ml. Since a cup of coffee has 6 fluid ounces, you’d need 177 ml of water. When you apply the golden ratio, you simply divide the weight of water by 16 and get the amount of coffee needed, which comes out to be 11 grams. (sounds pretty complicated, right? But don’t worry, it’s about to get a whole lot simpler!)
There are many different techniques for measuring the amount of coffee needed. The most precise method is weighing your coffee (11 grams per cup of water). As long as you’re not using an extremely coarse grind then the scoop method works just fine for the average coffee drinker.
A typical scoop of coffee is about 10 grams, roughly two tablespoons, so a little more than a full scoop per cup of water should deliver a well balanced cup.
Scaling it Up to 12 Cups
For a standard 12-cup coffeemaker, you’ll need about 12-13 scoops of ground coffee or about 24-26 tablespoons. This will yield twelve 6 fluid ounce cups of coffee. Much simpler, right?!
Other Factors to Think About When Brewing a Pot of Coffee
The quality of water is one thing many people underestimate when trying to make a good cup of coffee. Pure water produces the best results, as any minerals added in the water may affect its taste. The quality of tap water is different in different regions, so if you’re unsure about your tap water, or you find it too hard for your liking, you may want to filter the water first.
Your coffee brewing method is another factor that may affect the taste. Since taste is extremely subjective, your quantity may vary for different brewing methods. Automatic coffee makers are the most convenient way to get a cup of coffee at home. But if you’re constantly on the move and like your coffee a certain way, you may want to give the Aeropress a shot.
Finally, the beans that you choose are one of the most important factors for a great cup of coffee. Our well-rounded Downtown Blend is the coffee we recommend starting out with. But if you feel like experimenting a bit, we highly recommend trying out honey-processed coffees.
