The universal specialty coffee golden ratio is 1:16 (1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water). For a standard 350ml morning mug, divide 350 by 16 to get 21.9 grams of dry coffee. Immersion methods like French Press prefer 1:15, while espresso concentrates at 1:2.
Why Weighing in Grams Beats Scoops Every Time
Coffee scoops measure volume, not mass. A scoop of dense, lightly roasted Ethiopian coffee can weigh 14 grams, while a scoop of dark roasted Sumatra can weigh just 9 grams due to moisture loss and expansion. Using a digital kitchen scale eliminates unpredictability and guarantees identical extraction every single morning.
Standard Ratio Reference by Method
Never change ratio and grind size at the same time. If your coffee is too sour or weak, fix the grind size first before altering your ratio.