How much coffee goes into a single or double shot?

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Single: 7–9 g of coffee for 25–30 ml of espresso. Double: 16–20 g (standard is 18 g) for 36–40 ml. The specialty coffee scene pulls almost exclusively double shots, as they are vastly more consistent. The dose — the amount of coffee grounds in your portafilter basket — determines how much coffee is available for extraction and how intense the final espresso will taste. More coffee = more extractable compounds = more body and intensity. Single Shot: 7–9 g of coffee in a single basket (usually 58mm diameter, but deeply sloped to a small flat bottom). Yields 25–30 ml of espresso. In a traditional Italian bar, this is the standard — a short, punchy shot. Double Shot: 16–20 g of coffee in a double basket. The modern specialty standard is 18 g. This yields 36–40 ml of espresso at a 1:2 ratio. The double is the de-facto standard today because it delivers far more consistent results. Why is the double more reproducible? In a small single basket, the water distributes unevenly due to the very thin coffee bed and the awkward basket geometry. Tiny mistakes in distribution or tamping have massive consequences. In a larger double basket, the thicker coffee puck is much more forgiving of minor inconsistencies. The result is a much more stable extraction. Most modern espresso machines — even home models — come optimized for double shots and include double baskets. Some include a single basket, but using it is rarely recommended. If you only want a small amount of coffee, the standard practice is to pull a double shot into two cups and share it — or just enjoy the full amount yourself. Within the double basket range, there is room to play: 16 g for a lighter, more delicate shot, 20 g for a heavy, syrupy one. The exact dose depends heavily on the basket itself — every basket has an optimal capacity. Avoid overfilling (where the puck hits the shower screen) or underfilling (where the puck swims in excess water). A scale is absolutely non-negotiable for dosing. Volumetric dosing (using spoons or a line on your grinder hopper) is wildly inaccurate, as the density of ground coffee shifts depending on the roast level and grind size. At Sophienstraße 27, we work with 9.5 g of coffee per espresso; a flat white gets twice that. My advice to home baristas: toss your single basket in the drawer, buy a scale, and stick to dosing 18 g in your double basket. Stop by Sophienstraße 27 in Berlin-Lichtenberg — Mon–Fri 8am–5pm, Sat 10am–5pm.

How much coffee goes into a single or double shot?

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In practice at Green Wall Coffee

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