If you’re wondering how many espresso beans get used in an espresso shot then this post will show you just that.
So, how many coffee beans are in an espresso shot? On average a single espresso shot of 8 grams will have 71 coffee beans and a double espresso shot of 16 grams will have 142 coffee beans.
The above numbers were obtained by dividing the 8 grams by the average weight of an espresso bean which is 0.113398 grams which is equal to 70.54 coffee beans.
The actual amount of coffee beans that will be in an espresso shot will depend largely on the type of coffee bean and its roast level. The darker the roast of the bean the less the bean will weigh meaning that more will be used to make the espresso shot.
How much caffeine in an espresso shot?
A single shot of espresso will have around 63 mg of caffeine.
A regular brewed coffee will actually have around 120 mg of caffeine despite having a lower amount of caffeine per ounce. This is because a typical serving of brewed coffee will be 8 ounces in weight meaning that it will contain more coffee than a regular espresso shot.
How much to grind to use for a double espresso shot?
The goal is to fill the portafilter with 14-18 grams of ground coffee beans.
You can watch the video below to see how to measure how much ground coffee that is using just your portafilter.
How the coffee beans impact the taste of an espresso
The type of coffee beans that are used to make the espresso will actually have a big impact on the way that it tastes.
If Arabica beans are used then it will generally give the espresso a smoother taste. However, Arabica beans can also cause the espresso to taste slightly sour. Whereas, Robusta beans will normally give the espresso a richer taste that can also be more bitter.
If the beans are from a single origin then it will normally give the espresso a sharper taste but they can also often cause the espresso to taste slightly sour. Whereas, if the beans are from multiple origins then it will normally give the espresso a more balanced taste.
If the beans have a light roast then it will generally give the espresso a less bitter taste that can also cause it to be more sour. A dark roast will give the espresso a more nutty taste that can also cause it to taste bitter or even burnt if they are roasted too much.
Since espresso is supposed to have a rich and slightly bitter taste, a blend of Arabica and Robusta beans from multiple origins that have a dark roast will generally be used to make espresso. However, you can choose to use the mix of beans that you want based on your own taste.
How finely to grind the coffee beans
To make espresso it is necessary for you to grind the beans and to tamp them (press down on them) so that they sit evenly in the portafilter. This is done so that the water doesn’t pass through the coffee too quickly and so that more of the oil from the coffee mixes with the water.
The grind size should be quite fine like in the picture above. This is because the grind needs to be fine enough to prevent the hot water from being able to flow through it easily otherwise it won’t mix with the coffee.
Generally, a double shot of espresso should take between 25-30 seconds to pull. If your espresso takes longer than that then it would be a sign that you should use a grind that is less fine. If it comes out more quickly then it would be a sign that you should grind the coffee less.
If the espresso tastes bitter then that would also be a sign that the grind size is too fine. This is because a bitter tastes means that too much of the oil from the coffee has mixed with the water. You want some of the oil from the coffee to mix but not too much. To fix this you should try grinding the coffee less finely.
If the espresso tastes sour then it would be a sing that the grind is not fine enough and you should grind the coffee more.
