Brewing Lab #01 Finding the Brewing Ratio
Sometimes in the shop, customers often ask: “When brewing coffee at home, what’s the right ratio of coffee grounds to water?”
If we refer to the SCA Gold Cup Standard, this scientific guideline studies coffee’s extraction yield and strength, recommending a coffee-to-water ratio between 1:15 and 1:18. This range helps achieve balance in flavour, avoiding coffee that’s too weak or overly bitter.
Coffee Brewing Ratio Quick Guide: Beginner’s Reference
For everyday brewing balance, you can follow these golden ranges:
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General ratio: 1:15 ~ 1:17 (1g coffee to 15–17g water).
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Rich flavor setting: 1:14 ~ 1:15 (for those who enjoy bold, full-bodied taste).
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Light & refreshing setting: 1:17 ~ 1:18 (highlighting fruity acidity and clarity).
Coffee-to-Water Reference Table
| Coffee Grounds | 1:15 (Rich) | 1:16 (Balanced) | 1:17 (Light) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15g | 225g water | 240g water | 255g water |
| 20g | 300g water | 320g water | 340g water |
Once you understand these numbers as a guide, you can focus more on the brewing moment itself. At Colour Brown, we usually set our ratio precisely between 1:15 and 1:16, a narrow range that consistently brings out the character of the beans.
Of course, brewing ratio is not a rigid number, nor the sole factor in flavor. It’s just the foundation among many variables — grind size, water temperature, and pouring technique all interconnect. We’ll explore these in future chapters.
Roast Level Determines Water Length
When adjusting ratios for the first time, we suggest fine-tuning based on our roast level:
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Medium-dark roast: Shorter ratio, around 1:15. These beans have fragile cell walls after roasting, releasing flavor quickly. Less water locks in caramel-like sweetness and body, avoiding woody or burnt notes from over-extraction.
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Light roast: Longer ratio, around 1:16-17. Denser beans with elegant acidity and floral-fruity notes benefit from more water, allowing those delicate acids and layers to unfold, resulting in a cleaner, more transparent cup.
Finding Your Own Cup
In the Brewing Lab, numbers are just scientific indicators — your palate is the ultimate judge. Taste preferences are highly personal: some love bold bittersweet intensity, others prefer bright, refreshing acidity.
Next time you brew at home, experiment freely with different ratios based on your beans. Don’t worry about “failure” — the journey of discovering your favorite flavor is itself the most enchanting part of coffee.
Stay tuned — in the next session, we’ll continue exploring more brewing knowledge.
Edited by: Barista S
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