The number of espresso beans needed to make a cup of coffee depends on several factors, including the type of beans used, the grind size, and the brewing method. However, on average, it takes about 7-9 grams of ground espresso beans to brew a single 1 to 1.5 ounce shot of espresso. This is equivalent to about 14-18 grams or 2 tablespoons of whole espresso beans.
Quick Answer
In short, around 14-18 grams or 2 tablespoons of whole espresso beans will produce enough ground coffee for a single 1 to 1.5 ounce shot of espresso. So to make a full 8 ounce cup of coffee using espresso beans, you would need around 56-72 grams or 8-10 tablespoons of whole beans.
Espresso Basics
Let’s start with some background on espresso and how it relates to a regular cup of coffee. Espresso is a concentrated form of coffee that is brewed under pressure. It has a rich, bold flavor and creamy texture.
A single shot of espresso is generally 1-1.5 ounces of liquid coffee, while a double shot is 2-3 ounces. Espresso uses much less water than regular drip coffee, but is extracted from about the same amount of ground coffee.
To make espresso, finely ground coffee beans are tamped into a portafilter which is locked into an espresso machine. When the machine is activated, near-boiling water under 9-10 bars of pressure is forced through the compressed coffee in about 20-30 seconds, resulting in a concentrated shot of espresso.
From Beans to Espresso
So how do whole coffee beans become an espresso shot? Here are the basic steps:
- Whole espresso beans are roasted darkly until shiny, oily, and very aromatic.
- The roasted beans are ground into a very fine powder to maximize extraction.
- About 7-9 grams of finely ground beans are measured out for each shot.
- The grounds are tamped firmly into a portafilter basket using an espresso tamper.
- The tamped portafilter is locked into the espresso machine.
- Espresso is extracted by sending pressurized near-boiling water through the portafilter for about 20-30 seconds.
- A single 1-1.5 ounce shot or double 2-3 ounce shot is collected in the espresso cup(s).
- The spent espresso grounds are knocked out of the portafilter into a knock box.
This results in a short, concentrated shot of espresso full of crema and robust flavor.
Espresso Grind Size
One key factor in making quality espresso is using an extremely fine grind size. Espresso grind is much finer than regular drip coffee grind. These tiny, powder-like grounds allow even and thorough extraction by the hot water and high pressure.
Common descriptors for espresso grind size include:
- Superfine, powdery texture
- Like grains of table salt or flour
- Should clump together when pressed
- Extracts oils and solubles efficiently
If the grind is too coarse, the water will pass through too quickly resulting in an under-extracted, diluted shot. If it’s too fine, the water can’t flow through effectively, leading to over-extraction and bitterness.
Dosing Espresso
“Dosing” refers to measuring out the amount of ground espresso for each shot. The ideal dose depends on factors like the coffee beans, grind size, tamp pressure, and moisture content. However, the standard espresso dose is generally between 7-9 grams of fine ground coffee.
Here are some dosing guidelines:
- Single shot: 7 grams of ground espresso
- Double shot: 14 grams
- Triple shot: 21 grams
- Standard double shot: 18 grams
For maximum flavor and body, many baristas recommend dosing in the 18-22 gram range for a double shot. Adjustments may need to be made based on the individual espresso machine and coffee used.
Brew Ratio
The brew ratio compares the weight of the coffee grounds to the weight of the liquid espresso extracted. A standard espresso brew ratio is 1:2 – meaning for every 1 gram of ground coffee, 2 grams of espresso are extracted.
So if the dose is 18 grams, the yield or amount in the cup should be 36 grams (18 x 2 = 36) for a double shot.
Common espresso brew ratios are:
- Single shot: 1:1.5 to 1:2 ratio
- Double shot: 1:2 ratio
- Triple shot: 1:3 ratio
Ideally, dose, yield, time, and grind size are balanced to achieve the optimal brew ratio for flavor.
How Many Beans for Espresso?
Now that we’ve covered some background on espresso preparation, let’s discuss how many whole coffee beans go into a shot or cup.
Since espresso uses about 7-9 grams of ground coffee per 1-1.5 ounce shot, we can calculate:
- 7 grams ground coffee comes from about 14 grams or 2 tablespoons whole beans
- 9 grams ground coffee comes from about 18 grams or 2 tablespoons whole beans
This accounts for whole bean loss when grinding due to small fragments left behind. So for a single shot of espresso, you need around 14-18 grams or 2 tablespoons of whole coffee beans.
Espresso Beans for a Double Shot
For a standard double shot using 18 grams of ground coffee, you would need:
- 18 grams ground coffee
- 36 grams liquid espresso (18 x 2 ratio)
- Around 36 grams or 5-6 tablespoons whole beans
For a Triple Shot
To make a triple shot with 21 grams of ground coffee, you would need:
- 21 grams ground coffee
- 63 grams liquid espresso (21 x 3 ratio)
- Around 42 grams or 6-7 tablespoons whole beans
For a Full 8 oz Cup
To make a full 8 ounce cup of coffee using espresso beans, you would need:
- About 4 shots of espresso
- Around 56-72 grams or 8-10 tablespoons whole beans
This produces a strong, full-bodied cup of coffee using an espresso roast.
Espresso Bean Types
There are a few main types of coffee beans used for espresso:
- Espresso roast – Dark roasted beans with potent flavor and some oil on the surface
- Italian roast – Very dark roast with an intense, bitter, smoky flavor
- Blends – Combination of bean types to balance flavor
- Single origin – Espresso made from beans of one origin like Sumatra or Costa Rica
- Decaf espresso – Beans decaffeinated before roasting
Most espresso blends combine Brazilian, Indonesian, and other beans to produce rich crema and complex flavor. Higher quality beans are often used for espresso compared to regular coffee since the nuances come through in the concentrated brew.
Does More Espresso Powder = More Caffeine?
Espresso contains significantly more caffeine per volume compared to regular brewed coffee. However, more ground espresso does not always equal more caffeine.
Here’s a comparison of caffeine levels:
- Brewed coffee – around 80-140mg per 8oz cup
- Espresso – around 60-100mg per 1-1.5oz shot
So while a 1.5oz shot has less total caffeine than 8oz of drip coffee, it has more concentrated caffeine per ounce. Beyond dosing for preferred flavor, amount of espresso powder is not an accurate measure of caffeine content.
Tips for Making Espresso at Home
Here are some tips for making high quality espresso drinks at home:
- Use freshly roasted espresso beans within 2-4 weeks
- Grind beans immediately before brewing
- Use a quality burr grinder on an espresso setting
- Distribute ground coffee evenly and tamp consistently
- Use filtered water between 190-205°F
- Dial in dose, yield, time, and grind size
- Clean equipment and adjust grind regularly
- Purge old shots to heat cups or portafilter
- Store beans properly in cool, dark place
It takes some practice to master home espresso brewing, but following these steps will help maximize flavor and quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you have to use espresso beans for espresso?
While you can make espresso from any coffee beans, espresso roast beans are specially grown and roasted to meet the demands of espresso extraction. The dark roast enhances flavor, aromatics, and crema. Espresso blends also balance acidity and bitterness. Using regular coffee may result in weak, underwhelming espresso. However, lighter roast single origin beans can also produce quality espresso in skilled hands.
Why are espresso beans smaller than regular beans?
Espresso beans are actually the same species of coffee plant as regular beans, Coffea Arabica. However, they tend to be smaller and have a more concentrated flavor because of differences in genetics, origin, and processing methods. The smaller size helps them roast more evenly and extract under pressure.
Can you use a regular coffee maker to make espresso?
Strictly speaking, no. Espresso requires hot water under at least 9 bars of pressure, generated by an espresso machine’s pump. Home brewers don’t produce enough pressure for true espresso. However, moka pots and Aeropress can make concentrated coffee using espresso beans and grind sizes.
Why is espresso served in small cups?
The demitasse cup highlights espresso’s concentrated flavor and aromatics. The small portion size also allows the espresso to be drunk while hot before cooling and losing complexity. Espresso is meant to be enjoyed in small sips, not large gulps. Larger cups can accommodate milk-based espresso drinks.
Can you use a Keurig to make espresso?
Single serve brewers like Keurig cannot generate enough pressure to extract true espresso. However, some K-Cup pods contain dark roast coffee ground finely enough to produce a strong, espresso-like brew. While not true espresso, these can create a satisfyingly rich and bold coffee experience.
The Ideal Espresso Brew
So what should you look for in a properly extracted espresso shot?
- 1-1.5oz volume
- Thick, reddish-brown crema layer
- Aromatic, intense scent
- Full-bodied, concentrated flavor
- No bitterness or sourness
- Proper espresso grind and brewing balance acidity and sweetness
It takes dialing in the right grind, dose, yield, and time to achieve espresso nirvana. But with some practice using quality beans, you can master pulling superb shots.
Brewing Espresso Drinks
In addition to enjoying shots of straight espresso, there are many delicious milk-based drinks that can be made:
- Cappuccino – 1/3 espresso, 1/3 steamed milk, 1/3 foamed milk
- Latte – 1/3 espresso, 2/3 steamed milk, light foam
- Flat white – Espresso with velvety microfoam
- Macchiato – Espresso marked with foamed milk
- Americano – Espresso with added hot water
- Mocha – Espresso and steamed milk with chocolate
The possibilities are endless! Experiment with milk types and flavor combinations to find your perfect espresso drink.
Conclusion
To wrap up, it takes around 14-18 grams or 2 tablespoons of whole espresso beans to produce a single 1-1.5 ounce shot of espresso. For a full 8 ounce cup, you would need 56-72 grams or 8-10 tablespoons of whole beans. Factors like grind size, dose, brew ratio, bean type, and preparation technique all impact the final shot.
While espresso is a science, it’s also an art. With the right tools, some practice, and quality beans, you can master making cafe-quality espresso drinks at home. Sip your crema-topped shots and enjoy the full flavor that perfectly pulled espresso shots have to offer.
