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.calc-btn { width: 100%; background-color: #855e42; color: white; padding: 15px; border: none; border-radius: 4px; cursor: pointer; font-size: 18px; font-weight: bold; transition: background 0.3s; }
.calc-btn:hover { background-color: #6b4a35; }
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.result-title { font-weight: bold; font-size: 18px; margin-bottom: 10px; color: #4b3832; }
.result-value { font-size: 24px; color: #855e42; font-weight: bold; }
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Why the Coffee-to-Water Ratio Matters
The secret to a consistent, barista-quality cup of coffee isn't just the beans—it's the math. The coffee-to-water ratio determines the strength and extraction level of your brew. If you use too much water, your coffee will taste thin and over-extracted (bitter). If you use too little, it will be sour and under-extracted.
The "Golden Ratio" Explained
The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) suggests a "Golden Ratio" of 1:18 (1 gram of coffee for every 18 grams/ml of water). However, most home enthusiasts prefer a range between 1:15 and 1:17.
- 1:15 Ratio: Results in a bolder, more concentrated cup. Ideal for French Press or those who add milk.
- 1:17 Ratio: A widely accepted standard for pour-over methods like V60 or Chemex, offering a clean and balanced profile.
- 1:2 Ratio: Specifically used for Espresso, where 18g of ground coffee typically produces 36g of liquid espresso.
Brewing Examples
Example 1: The Standard Morning Pot
If you want to brew 500ml of water using a 1:16 ratio, you would divide 500 by 16.
Result: 31.25 grams of coffee.
Example 2: A Single Pour Over
If you have exactly 20 grams of premium beans left and want a 1:15 ratio, you multiply 20 by 15.
Result: 300ml of water.
Pro Tips for Better Results
Always use a digital scale. Measuring by volume (spoons and cups) is inaccurate because different coffee roasts have different densities. Darker roasts are less dense and take up more space than lighter roasts, even if they weigh the same. For the most accurate calculation, remember that 1ml of water is equal to 1 gram.
function updateLabels() {
var mode = document.getElementById('calcMode').value;
var inputLabel = document.getElementById('inputLabel');
var resultLabel = document.getElementById('resultLabel');
if (mode === 'coffeeToWater') {
inputLabel.innerText = 'Coffee Weight (grams)';
resultLabel.innerText = 'Required Water:';
} else {
inputLabel.innerText = 'Water Volume (ml)';
resultLabel.innerText = 'Required Coffee:';
}
}
function setRatio(val) {
document.getElementById('ratioInput').value = val;
}
function calculateCoffee() {
var mode = document.getElementById('calcMode').value;
var val = parseFloat(document.getElementById('mainInput').value);
var ratio = parseFloat(document.getElementById('ratioInput').value);
var resultValueDisplay = document.getElementById('resultValue');
var resultBox = document.getElementById('resultBox');
var resultDesc = document.getElementById('resultDescription');
if (isNaN(val) || isNaN(ratio) || val <= 0 || ratio <= 0) {
alert('Please enter valid positive numbers.');
return;
}
var finalResult = 0;
if (mode === 'coffeeToWater') {
finalResult = val * ratio;
resultValueDisplay.innerText = finalResult.toFixed(1) + ' ml (grams)';
resultDesc.innerText = 'For ' + val + 'g of coffee at a 1:' + ratio + ' ratio, use ' + finalResult.toFixed(1) + 'ml of water.';
} else {
finalResult = val / ratio;
resultValueDisplay.innerText = finalResult.toFixed(1) + ' grams';
resultDesc.innerText = 'For ' + val + 'ml of water at a 1:' + ratio + ' ratio, use ' + finalResult.toFixed(1) + 'g of coffee.';
}
resultBox.style.display = 'block';
}