Coffee Brewing Ratios

One of the most overlooked keys to brewing better coffee at home is something simple but powerful: the coffee brewing ratio.

Whether you’re brewing a pour over, a pot of drip coffee, or any other brew method, getting the right balance of coffee to water is crucial for extracting the best flavors from your beans.

What Is A Coffee Brewing Ratio?

At its core, the coffee brewing ratio is the relationship between the amount of coffee you use and the amount of water you brew it with. It’s typically expressed as a simple ratio, like 1:17, which means 1 part coffee to 17 parts water.

This ratio is essential because it directly affects how your coffee tastes. The right ratio is a critical element that helps ensure you extract the perfect balance of flavors from your coffee — highlighting the natural sweetness, acidity, and body of the coffee without over-extracting undesirable bitterness or under-extracting weak or sour coffee.

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Why Does The Coffee To Water Ratio Matter?

Brewing coffee is all about extraction — the process of pulling soluble compounds (flavor, aroma, and oils) out of the coffee grounds and into your cup. When you use the correct ratio, you create a more ideal environment for balanced, full extraction of your single origin coffees or coffee blends.

How A Coffee Brewing Ratio Helps:

Here are a few ways using a deliberate coffee brewing ratio helps:

  • Balanced Flavor: With the right ratio, you’ll get a cup that’s neither too strong nor too weak. It highlights the coffee’s natural flavors — whether that’s fruity acidity, rich chocolatey notes, or subtle florals.

  • Consistent Brews: Ever brewed a great cup one day, only to end up with something flat or bitter the next? Using a consistent ratio eliminates the guesswork, giving you reliable results every time.

  • Better Extraction: Too much coffee and not enough water can lead to over-extraction, making your coffee taste bitter. Too little coffee can cause under-extraction, resulting in a sour or weak brew. The 1:17 ratio strikes the perfect balance and allows you to extract the inherent character of the coffee.

Our Go To Coffee Brewing Ratio: 1:17

At ReAnimator Coffee, we recommend a 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio for most brewing methods. It’s versatile and brings out the best in our coffees — whether you’re brewing a large pot of drip coffee, or a delicate, nuanced pour over coffee.

• For Every Gram of Coffee, Use 17 Grams of Water (Example: 22g of coffee = 375g of water)

This ratio is designed to give you a well-extracted, flavorful cup that highlights the unique characteristics of the beans while maintaining a balanced strength.

Simplify Brewing With Our Coffee Ratio Calculator

We know that measuring grams and doing math first thing in the morning isn’t everyone’s idea of a good time. That’s why we’ve built an interactive coffee brewing calculator right into this page.

Here’s how it works:

  • Choose Your Brewing Method: From drip coffee to espresso, select your method and get specific instructions tailored to it.

  • Input Your Desired Brew Size: Want just one cup? Or a whole carafe? The calculator will automatically apply the 1:17 ratio to give you the exact measurements you need.

  • Step-by-Step Instructions: Our tool doesn’t stop at the numbers — it guides you through each stage of brewing, including water temperature, grind size, and pouring techniques.

  • Built-In Timer: For methods like pour-over or french press, our app includes a timer to help you hit those perfect bloom and brew times.


Scroll down to check out the coffee ratio calculator and brewing guide!

Conclusion

Brewing better coffee isn’t necessarily about expensive equipment or complex techniques — it starts with simple things like your coffee brewing ratio. By sticking to a simple 1:17 coffee-to-water ratio, you can elevate your home brewing game and enjoy more consistently delicious coffee, no matter which method you choose.

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