When you’re reaching for that morning cup of espresso, have you ever wondered just how many espresso shots you can get from a 1 kg bag of coffee beans?
In this article, we’ll delve into the math behind extracting the perfect espresso and help you determine the number of shots you can expect from your purchase.
Armed with this knowledge, you’ll be more informed when buying coffee beans and can better estimate how long your supply will last. So, let’s explore the world of espresso together and find out just how many energizing shots are hidden within that bag of beans!
Understanding Espresso Shots
When it comes to enjoying espresso, it’s crucial to understand the different types of shots and how they impact the taste and strength of your coffee. Let’s see what the most common espresso shot types are.
Single Shot of Espresso
A single shot of espresso is typically made by brewing 7 to 9 grams of ground coffee with hot water under high pressure. The result is a concentrated, rich, and flavorful coffee beverage that is approximately 1 fluid ounce.
In terms of brewing ratios, experts often recommend using a 1:2 ratio for a single shot, meaning you will extract 1 gram of liquid espresso for every 2 grams of coffee grounds. So, if you are using 8 grams of coffee for a single shot, you should aim to extract 16 grams of liquid espresso.
Double Shot of Espresso
A double shot of espresso, or doppio, is essentially two single shots of espresso combined. To make a double shot, you will need to use 14 to 18 grams of ground coffee and aim for an extraction of approximately 2 fluid ounces of espresso. The brewing ratio is still the same—you’ll want to maintain that 1:2 ratio for optimal flavor and strength.
Since a double shot requires more coffee grounds, your espresso machine may have a larger portafilter for brewing double shots. However, it’s still possible to make a double shot using a standard portafilter, you will just need to ensure you are using the correct amount of coffee and fine-tune your extraction time to achieve the desired amount of liquid espresso.
Coffee Beans and Espresso Shots
The type of coffee bean and its roast can greatly affect the quality and taste of your shot. Let’s have a closer look at the differences between Arabica and Robusta beans, as well as how the roasting process impacts the flavor profile.
Arabica Beans and Robusta Beans
There are two main types of coffee beans that you can use for espresso: Arabica and Robusta. Arabica beans make up about 70% of the world’s coffee production and are generally considered to produce a higher-quality drink.
They have a smoother, more nuanced flavor with notes of fruit, chocolate, and nuts. Robusta beans, on the other hand, are more bitter and have a stronger taste. They contain more caffeine and are typically used in blends to provide a stronger, punchier espresso.
To get the most out of your 1 kg of coffee beans, consider experimenting with blends of both Arabica and Robusta beans, or stick with your personal preference.
Roasting and Flavor Profile
The roasting process helps to bring out the unique flavors in coffee beans, so understanding the different roast levels is essential. Here’s a brief overview of the roast levels:
- Light Roasts: These beans have a light brown color, bright acidity, and more pronounced fruity or floral notes.
- Medium Roasts: Slightly darker than light roasts, medium-roasted beans still have some acidity but offer a more balanced flavor, featuring chocolate or caramel notes.
- Dark Roasts: Dark-roasted beans are nearly black and have a pronounced boldness, with less acidity and added bitterness. These roasts often have smoky or earthy notes.
In general, espresso requires a fine grind and high-pressure brewing method, which can lead to a more intense flavor profile. This often works well with darker roasts, as they provide bold, rich flavors that can cut through the strength of the shot. However, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer – the perfect roast for your espresso will depend on your personal taste preferences.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
Calculating Espresso Shots from 1kg Coffee Beans
In order to calculate the number of espresso shots you can get from 1kg of coffee beans, it’s essential to understand industry standards and measurements, as well as the factors that can affect the final yield.
Industry Standards and Measurements
Generally, the espresso industry follows certain measurements which are crucial while determining the number of shots you could get from 1kg of coffee beans. The two key measurements to consider are:
- 1kg = 1000 grams: This denotes the total weight of the coffee beans.
- Espresso shot weight: Commonly, a single espresso shot is made with 7-9 grams of coffee and a double shot with around 16 grams. For our calculation, we will assume an average weight of 8 grams per single shot.
Using these measurements, you can calculate the number of espresso shots as follows:
Number of espresso shots = Total weight of coffee beans / Weight per shot
= 1000 grams / 8 grams
= 125 shots
In this example, you could get approximately 125 single espresso shots from a 1kg bag of coffee beans.
Factors Affecting the Amount of Espresso Shots
It’s important to remember that the number of espresso shots you can get from your coffee beans might be affected by various factors, including:
- Grind size: The size of the coffee grounds impacts the extraction process. A finer grind usually requires less coffee to achieve the desired flavor, meaning you could potentially get more shots out of the same amount of coffee beans.
- Brew ratio: The amount of water used in the extraction process can be adjusted to produce different flavors and strengths. If you prefer a stronger cup, you might use a 1:1.5 ratio of coffee to water, which would result in fewer espresso shots from the same 1kg bag.
- Shot size: As mentioned earlier, using a double shot (usually around 16 grams) will yield approximately half the number of espresso shots when compared to single shots. This factor should be considered when calculating the number of shots from a 1kg bag.
- Bean quality: The quality of the coffee beans can affect their weight, which in turn influences the number of espresso shots that can be produced. Higher-quality beans, which may have different weight properties, could yield varying numbers of shots from a 1kg bag.
Final Thoughts
To conclude, various factors contribute to the final number, including the size of the espresso shot and the weight of coffee grounds used per shot.
Keep in mind that your personal preferences might require a different extraction amount, which will alter the number of shots you can make from a 1 kg bag of coffee beans. For example, if you prefer using 16-18 grams of coffee per cup, you’ll end up with around 60 espresso shots from the same bag.
When brewing espresso, ensure that you’re using the proper grind size and paying close attention to the extraction time. Aim for an extraction time between 25 and 30 seconds to achieve a perfectly balanced shot.
In summary, it’s essential to consider the varying factors that contribute to the overall espresso experience when determining how many shots can be derived from a 1 kg bag of coffee beans. Enjoy experimenting with your coffee and fine-tuning your brewing process to get the most out of your beans.
Happy Brewing!
Evelina
Evelina’s passion for coffee could never been hidden. Having worked as a barista, she learned the true value of the coffee bean and its secrets. As she continued to evolve as a barista, so did her knowledge, techniques on making different coffee blends and most importantly how to operate every kind of gear when it comes to coffee. Having a degree in biomedicine and being a barista, allows her to provide our community with in-depth knowledge surrounding the topics of coffee.
Get this free cheat sheet to step up your coffee game and learn about the different grind sizes!
