A Guide to Espresso Extraction

Espresso is the foundation for many delicious coffee drinks. But brewing espresso can also be quite an art form, especially when you’re considering different brewing techniques you could use.

In today’s blog, we’re going to dive into two different methods for extracting espresso shots: extracting espresso by volume or using a brew ratio and weight. Want to give these brewing techniques a try? Make Kaldi Gourmet Coffee Roasters your supplier for freshly-roasted wholesale coffee beans.

Espresso Extraction Methods

When extracting a shot of espresso, you can deduct when to stop your shot from brewing using different methods: time, volume, flow color, weight, or brew ratios. The way that you brew your espresso can impact different factors, including flavor, concentration, boldness, and taste.

Whether you’re an at-home coffee connoisseur, a beginner espresso machine user, or an experienced coffee shop barista, you can play around with these different brewing techniques to find a method that fits your espresso preferences.

Guide for weight of ground coffee for espresso shots:

Single shot: 7-9 grams

Double shot: 14-18 grams

Extracting by Volume

While extracting espresso, you can measure by volume. Many at-home espresso brewers use volume to help brew their espresso, averaging around two ounces per shot. This makes it easy to eyeball your espresso as it's brewing to know when it’s done. With this method, you can also pay attention to the flow and color as the espresso dispenses for consistency.

But if you’re a coffee shop owner or looking to create a more consistent brew each time, you can extract your espresso by weight and brew ratio.

Extracting by Ratio & Weight

Brew ratio compares the weight of ground coffee to the weight of the espresso in your cup to help determine the right balance for the flavor you want. The idea behind this is that if you’re using the same amount of coffee grounds each time, you’ll get the same amount of espresso yield every time.

For this extraction method, you’ll need the weight of your coffee grounds and the weight of the espresso as it brews. Below are common brew ratios (weight of ground coffee:weight of espresso shot):

Ristretto with a 1:1 or a 1:2 ratio - This gives you a more concentrated, full-bodied espresso.
Espresso Normale with a 1:2 or a 1:3 ratio - This gives you a balanced espresso.
Espresso Lungo with a 1:3 or a 1:4 ratio - This gives you a more diluted bitter espresso.

While your espresso is brewing, you still want to keep an eye on the flow rate and color to make sure your espresso is brewing to your specifications.

But what’s the benefit of using weight and brew ratios? With this method, it’s much easier to recreate your espresso once you’ve found the perfect brew ratio.

Order Wholesale Coffee Beans From Kaldi

Find the brewing method that works best for you and your espresso drinks. But if you’re looking for wholesale coffee beans that are roasted to order, choose Kaldi Gourmet Coffee Roasters.

Learn more about coffee and how to best enjoy your wholesale coffee beans on our blog: