Three measurements clarify the recipe
Dose is the dry coffee placed in the basket. Yield is the mass of espresso in the cup. Brew ratio compares those two values. A 1:2 ratio means the beverage yield is twice the dry dose by mass.
Use ratio as a starting framework
A shorter yield can taste more concentrated; a longer yield can extract more material and taste less concentrated. Neither is automatically better. Basket capacity, coffee and taste set the useful range.
| Dose | 1:1.5 yield | 1:2 yield | 1:2.5 yield |
|---|---|---|---|
| 16 g | 24 g | 32 g | 40 g |
| 18 g | 27 g | 36 g | 45 g |
| 20 g | 30 g | 40 g | 50 g |
Measure before guessing
- Use a scale that fits beneath the cup.
- Tare before brewing.
- Stop at a target yield, accounting for any machine delay.
- Record dose, yield, time and taste.
The basket’s intended dose range matters. Overfilling or underfilling can create mechanical and extraction problems.
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