How Many Tablespoons of Coffee Per Cup?

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Do you ever wonder how many tablespoons of coffee per cup? We’ve got you covered with this handy coffee making guide! Enjoy.

Coffee being poured into a white mug resting on a white saucer.
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Dreaming of the perfect cup on coffee tables to power you through the day?? We hear you. Brewing the perfect coffee cup can be a little tricky, so here’s a handy guide to help you figure out how much coffee you need for the optimal cup!

How many tablespoons of ground coffee do you use per cup?

To get the best coffee brew, determining the right amount of coffee is crucial. No, you don’t have to buy special tools to get your best cup. For your daily consumption, you can use a tablespoon as your measurement tool in getting the optimal scale. You can either use a level tablespoon or a rounded tablespoon. But remember, the quantity of coffee in a tablespoon is determined by the coarseness of ground coffee.

It is important to note that a rounded tablespoon of coffee grounds typically weighs 18 grams on average, while a level tablespoon of coffee grounds weighs around 12 grams. This equates to using 2 tablespoons of ground coffee for 6 ounces of fresh water for a strong cup. For a lighter taste, you can also try using 3 tablespoons for 12 fluid ounces of water.

Water Ratios

For your perfect cup, the ratio is important. The ideal ratio of coffee to water is 1:18 – meaning 1 gram of coffee for 18 ml of water. In tablespoons, this translates to 1-2 tablespoons of ground coffee for every six ounces of water. You can add or deduct according to your personal preference.

Measuring Coffee Beans

Usually, coffee beans are measured over a scale. Here, you need to measure the coffee beans weight. In creating the perfect coffee, you need about two tablespoons–equivalent to ⅛ of a single cup–of coffee beans. 

Tablespoons to Grams

It is important to note that ⅛ cup is equal to two tablespoons of coffee. Hence, every two tablespoons amounts to 28.3 grams. Every level tablespoon gives you about 5 grams of coffee beans in each scoop.

How many grams of coffee per cup?

If you have a kitchen scale, using grams as a measurement tool will render the highest level of precision helping you achieve the perfect coffee ratio.

Following the American standard, Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) noted that the golden ratio follows 10 grams of ground coffee in every cup. In European standards though, the recommended weight is 7 grams of coffee per cup.

Dark coffee being poured into a clear glass.

Tips for Brewing the Perfect Cup of Coffee

In extracting the best flavor, here are some brewing tips to perfect your coffee cup:

  • Choose high quality, freshly roasted beans.

Coffee beans can make or break the perfect cup. As the foundation of taste notes, coffee beans build your cup’s flavor. Make sure to always choose high quality, premium coffee–may it be organic, single origin, or strictly grown at a high elevation. Choose the coffee beans that include these essential details either in their packaging or social media posts.

Fair warning though, always check the label. Be wary of checking the brewing date of your coffee beans. The golden rule: the sooner it’s roasted, the better. Buy freshly roasted coffee beans, chosen according to your preferred acidity level, body, and flavor.

  • Grind right before brewing.

Coffee aficionados usually buy whole coffee beans to preserve the freshest taste. Always remember to only grind your purchased coffee beans whenever you’re ready to brew. 

In getting the best grind, a burr grinder is recommended over blade grinder for a consistently uniform grind size across every whole bean. In case you don’t have any of these, you can have it milled in the nearest supermarket or just use a food processor or chopper as an alternative. PRO Tip: always make sure that your equipment is fully cleaned to avoid any unnecessary flavor notes.

  • Use the correct water quality and temperature.

Always use hot, filtered water to get the best cup. Remember, using tap water might alter your water quality, leaving a sour, crisp, unnecessary water base taste.

In terms of ideal water temperature, set your brewer between 195°-205° degrees fahrenheit. 

How many tablespoons of coffee do you use for 4 cups?

In referring to the common drip coffee maker, if you intend to use 4 cups of water, you’ll be needing 4 scoops of ground coffee–equivalent to 8 tablespoons. For a stronger flavor, you can also increase this to 10 tablespoons.

How many tablespoons of coffee do I use for 8 cups?

For 8 cups of water, it is ideal to use 14-18 tablespoons of ground coffee. To make a stronger cup, remember to use 17-18 tablespoons.

Close up shot of whole coffee beans.

How many tablespoons of coffee per cup french press?

In using french press, it is recommended to use one tablespoon of ground coffee for every 4 ounces of water. Hence, for a french press that is 16 oz in size, you’ll be needing 4 tablespoons of ground coffee to make 16 ounces of coffee.

How many tablespoons of coffee per cup pour over?

For single pour over technique, you’ll be needing about 2.5 level tablespoons of whole coffee beans for one cup of water. Grind this to a medium coarse level, insert the coffee filter in-between, and voila! Pour your ground coffee into the filter basket, followed by about 200°F water. Let it settle for about thirty seconds allowing the blooming process to take place. Slowly, pour the rest of the water in a circular motion. Toss the brewer and filter once done, and seize your perfect cup.

How many tablespoons of coffee per cup for cold brew?

In making a cold brew using the mason jar technique, use 12 tablespoons of ground coffee to 4 cups of filtered water, filling the mason jar just right. Brew your coffee for 1-2 days, filter when ready, and savor your much awaited cup of joy.

In Conclusion

Creating the perfect cup doesn’t need much investment. With handy kitchen tools such as a simple measuring spoon, you can survive your quest to brew the best cup by following the right water to coffee ratio. Remember, the golden rule in getting the perfect cup is to follow the right ratios, acknowledge the differences in brewing methods, and tweak the proportions to suit your own preferences!

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