You might not think of espresso as a large drink, but it can actually be pretty big. Different cafes use different sizes, so we put together the facts and the numbers below.
With espresso, the standard serving size is 30 ml/28 gr or 1 fl.Oz (28 ml). A double espresso is simply twice the serving size of a single espresso. However, in Italy, a “solo” shot is 25 ml. At Starbucks they measure only 22.2 ml.
The double shot is equal to 60ml. If you want it less strong, the double ristretto only has 30ml.
Below are some espresso serving sizes and tips on how to best serve your freshly brewed coffee.
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Espresso strength
Espresso dosage depends on the country and local habits. The standard serving size in most coffee shops around the world is 30 ml or 1 fl.Oz (28 ml). But in Italy, a single espresso size is 25 ml +-2.5 ml. The “Solo” espresso shot size at Starbucks only measures 0.75 Oz/22.2 ml.
Making espresso requires the combined efforts of experienced baristas and coffee makers. As a result, it’s possible for two espressos to taste different because of how they’re made. However, there is no law concerning how much espresso is in a single serving. Generally speaking, 30 milliliters is considered a cup of coffee around the world.
Yes, there are no laws, but Italians take espresso very seriously and in fact, there is a national institute for espresso (Instituto Nazionale Espresso Italiano). Though the existence of this institution should tell you something about how seriously they take it, we should note that most Italians don’t joke with their coffee standard and they do agree on some core ingredients and parameters a cup of espresso must adhere to to be certified by the aforementioned institute.
To get an Italian espresso certification, there are a lot of requirements to meet in terms of skills and equipment. However, the most important thing they mention is that the “official” size should be within 2.5 ml of 25 ml. That means that the official size can range from 22.5 to 27.5 ml.
When you get coffee at Starbucks, these are a few facts that are worth knowing. A “solo” espresso shot is only 0.75 Oz (22.2 ml) while their “doppio” is 1.5 Oz (44.4 ml). This is significantly less than the average serving size in most other coffee shops.
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Precision is the KEY
Good baristas know that it can be difficult to estimate the number of grams and milliliters by eye. That’s where a coffee scale becomes very useful. When you use a scale, every cup will have the same taste and presentation, for better customer satisfaction.
If you need an espresso coffee scale, the Time more coffee scale is a great choice. With it, you can make the perfect shot of espresso that’ll get the best use out of your manual espresso machine.
Are espresso beans supposed to be oily?
You need a very small volume of liquid to make espresso, which means the precision required is quite high. A small serving can be ruined or perfected with a small change in any ingredient. Making good espresso has many challenges, but with a little bit of knowledge and practice, you’ll get it right.
Even if you make espresso at home, it’s a good idea to use a scale. You might want to play around with all the different factors that create a certain taste. However, when looking at one shot against another, you want to change only one variable. The scales will help you keep other variables consistent so that your shots can be judged appropriately and accurately.
If you’re tired of measuring out the right amount of coffee into your cup and making the right amount of espresso every time, an automatic espresso machine takes care of all the different sizes, so it’s an easy task. All you do is push a button and they produce a variety of delicious drinks with the touch of a button. You can click here to learn more about different types of espresso machines to find one that will work for you.
ALSO SEE: Starting Your Own Coffee Roasting Business
How many ml/ounces should a double shot be?
When it comes to taking a more scientific approach, the ratio of extraction for water is 1gram:1ml. This makes the ratio easy enough for anyone to remember, so I’ll express them in grams instead.
A normale espresso consists of around 50% grounds to water ratio. So, if you use 15g of coffee grounds, you should be extracting 30g of espresso.
The reason why a 30g of the double shot espresso is engineered to appear larger (60ml) on the outside than it really is would be because of crema. You can get more volume with the same extraction ratio if there is a lot of crema involved. The production of crema is affected by the type of coffee you use (Robusta gives you lots, fresh coffee gives you lots, darkly roasted coffee gives you lots.), among other factors like age and degree of roast. Does it sound out of place? Here’s where it gets relevant for you.
The traditional idea of 60ml in a double espresso comes from Italy, where espresso is traditionally blended with robusta, freshly roasted, and roasted to near charcoal levels. And the mixture comes together to give you 30ml of espresso at a volume of 60ml. This rich and creamy coffee is typically drunk by older Italian men in Italian bars.
My point is, the idea of measuring a double shot of espresso in 60ml cups is outdated and measures should be based on weight, not volume. A double shot should be 30g, no matter the cup size.
How big is a double espresso?
A double espresso is a popular drink for those who enjoy a bit more caffeine to help them get going.
how big is a double espresso exactly?
With espresso, the standard serving size is 30 ml/28 gr or 1 fl.Oz (28 ml). A double espresso is simply twice the serving size of a single espresso. In most places that means you get 55-60 ml. (2 Oz.)
In many coffee shops, you get a standard order of a double espresso which is 60 grams. This is standard in many places because a normal order is only 30 grams of espresso and most people like their coffee strong.
How many tablespoons of coffee per cup depends on the type of coffee? Espresso has a ratio of 1:2 to 1:2.5 of coffee grounds to liquid in the cup, which means for every 30 grams of espresso, you’ll need 12-15 grams of coffee grounds. For a double espresso, double that to about 24-30 grams.
So, a double espresso is two shots of espresso with the same amount of coffee grounds, just twice as much liquid. It’s not more water pushed through the coffee grounds for a single shot.
Do you want a milder espresso? Instead of ordering a single shot, ask your barista for a Lungo. This means that the same amount of coffee grounds as in most single shots is used, but more water is passed through them (1:3 not 1:4). This way, you end up with 36-60 ml of coffee, just like a double espresso, but it’s less strong.
How big is an espresso cup?
What about the drink itself? What cup is used and how big is it?
If you put a single espresso in a large coffee mug, it will look terrible. Not only will it be difficult to drink your coffee, but the presentation will not be good either.
The standard cup size for espresso is a white china cup that can hold 50-100 ml. The curvature of the rim should be quite thick in order to accentuate the viscous texture of an espresso. For a single serving, you want something closer to 50 ml rather than 100 ml. A double espresso requires a container closer to 100 ml.
Espresso is usually about 30 milliliters, but to get the crema on top you need more room in your cup. One reason is so that when you’re pouring and drinking, it’s easier to do. Also, it looks nicer. Another reason is that foam takes up more space in a cup than regular liquid does.