Is a double espresso too small for you? Do you wonder how big one should be? Here’s what you want to know.
A double shot of espresso weighs around 2 fl. Oz. You might need to do some research to find the exact amount in different regions, but you generally will be talking about around 60 grams. Starbucks, on the other hand, measures 1.5 fl oz per Doppio, or 44.4 grams in most cases.
The best way to measure an “ml” of the espresso is by weight. So whether you have 50 ml of liquid underneath, or 100 ml froth on top, it’s still a “50 ml.” Remember that!
You want 50 grams of liquid out, 1ml water is equivalent to 1g, and espresso is not too different in density.
But if I am using a 1:2 brew ratio 18grams of coffee in can almost never reach 50ml of coffee out.
Yes, by definition. If you stop your shots at 36 ml, you will not get 50ml.
When it comes to viscosity, that’s the measure of its fineness. Generally, a long (or high-output) shot will produce more liquid than a shorter one.
This article will explore the differences between espresso and cortado along with how much caffeine they contain.
How Many Ounces Is a Double Shot Of Espresso?
The average size of a double shot of espresso is two ounces, twice the size of a single shot which is around 1 ounce.
If a coffee shop uses an espresso shot to be strong, that shot should weigh about 25-30 grams. A double shot will simply equal twice that amount.
With this breakdown, the standard for a double shot in most of the coffee world is two fluid ounces. But classic Italian espresso is a bit less than one fluid ounce, with 0.85-0.95 being the most popular standard. In most places outside of Italy, a single espresso is only one fluid ounce and a double is two fluid ounces.
The exception is Starbucks. A Starbucks double shot (Doppio) only measures 1.5 fl. Oz. That’s still double the size of a single (Solo), but significantly less than standard and even less than the Italian standard. I’m not sure why that is, but if I were to speculate, I would say their single is so small that most people will buy the double anyways because it’s a more worthwhile purchase.
Most baristas measure the weight of espresso in grams, not fluid ounces. In a tightly packed cup of coffee grounds, this is a better measure because crema (coffee foam) can cover the top and make it hard to see. And the foam isn’t always the same weight per volume.
The volume in cups is not a good indicator of how much liquid was pushed from the ground since the hardened foam will retain a lot more water than the liquid below. A 3 ml difference is very hard to spot by the eye, especially if it’s covered with foam, but is a 10% difference in weight if you were aiming for 30 ml., but it means a very significant difference in taste if you go for 30 ml.
ALSO SEE: How Many Milliliters Is An Espresso Shot?
How Many Grams Is a Double Shot Of Espresso?
The fluid ounce is not your cup of tea? Here you can see how it translates to grams. A fluid ounce is 30 grams, but in reality, 29.57 grams. This will round up to 30 for espresso measurements because they are used to a full shot being 60 grams.
It’s a given that there can be some differences in shot size since most espresso machines have to be stopped by hand. That means there can be some difference in every shot. However, a large percentage of double shots of espresso from a coffee shop will be in the 55-65 gram range.
As earlier said, the amount of espresso in a Starbucks shot is much less than that in other coffee shops. For example, a single shot measures 22.2 grams on average, and a double shot, 44.4 grams. That means if you want as strong a drink, you’ll actually have to order a triple (66.6 grams).
When it comes to espresso, grams are a much better measure than milliliters of liquid. If you’re using milliliters, you’ll have the problem of also counting the crema on top, which is much lighter. The thickness and amount of crema won’t be consistent enough to depend on the type of beans or brewing process. Milliliters and grams should be the same on your scale anyways.
Is a Double Espresso Just Two Singles?
A double espresso is called that because it’s twice the size of one standard serving. That means there should be double the amount of coffee in the filter basket, and the liquid in the cup should also be doubled from what you find in a single serving. As you can see below, what that exact amount is can differ from place to place but it always should be twice as much as a regular single-serving espresso.
You might be familiar with the splitter on an espresso machine. The little thing under the filter splits the stream of coffee and deposits it in two different cups. For a double espresso, you don’t need to use this instead, just put the full amount into one cup. But, you will still need to use double the water and coffee for each shot.
Usually, baristas will brew a double shot at a time when making espresso. However, on occasion, they’ll brew two single shots and combine them. There are some minor differences in taste due to the different ways that coffee is brewed, but for the vast majority of people, this difference is unnoticeable.
Espresso machines have different size baskets that can be put into the portafilter. Using the right size for the job is important since how full the basket is will affect the brewing process. Most good baskets will have an indicator etched on them with how much weight that size of basket can hold. Other times, you’ll just need to weigh how many grounds it takes before they are full.
How Much Caffeine Is In A Double Espresso?
When we drink espresso, our blood caffeine level will usually be in the range of 125-160 mg due to its high caffeine content. However, an espresso that is outside of this range can occur due to different factors.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of variables to consider when measuring caffeine. It can vary from 60 to 120mg depending on the brewing method. But, an 8oz of brewed coffee has around 100 mg of caffeine.
Now, you should understand that coffee beans are a natural product. Different types of beans grown in different countries and different areas can vary greatly by their caffeine levels. African Robusta has almost twice the amount of caffeine as an Arabica for example, but coffees grown at higher altitudes tend to have less caffeine than lower altitude plants.
It’s important to know that the roast level has nothing to do with the caffeine content. Whether it’s a dark or light-roasted coffee, the amount of caffeine still stays the same. Whenever you brew a coffee, make sure you’re using proper brewing methods by adjusting for each roast level. However, darker roasts are easier to extract. That means it’s easier to get all the caffeine from a darker roasted bean than from a lighter roasted bean. However, with proper brewing methods that are adapted to the roast level, it shouldn’t matter much.
Then there is another factor “brewing amount”. Coffee shops and baristas use different amounts of coffee grounds. In the case of a higher number of grounds, there is more caffeine content.