How to Dial In Espresso: Grind Size, Dose & Extraction Time
Grinding for the very first cup can be a surprisingly challenging experience. Most of the time, it takes a couple of shots to understand what grind size would produce the best coffee. There is no universal number to rely on. Every coffee bean is different, and different roasts require different grind sizes to bring out the best in them.
This article is my attempt to make that process a little easier. In this article, I’ll share the grind setting that I found works best for each coffee bean I try. Hopefully, if you happen to be brewing the same coffee, these settings can give you a head start and help you save some valuable beans and time by avoiding the trial and error I went through to arrive at the number.
That said, I wouldn’t recommend treating these numbers as gospel. Half the fun of making coffee is finding that sweet spot yourself. Once you have a starting point, I encourage you to go a little finer or coarser and see if you like the coffee better. And please let me know if you do, I’d love to give it a try myself.
I use a Kingrinder K6 hand grinder, which has 16 microns of adjustment per click. So, if you use a different hand grinder, you would need to do a small calculation to convert the setting:
Grind setting on your grinder = (K6 setting × 16) ÷ your grinder’s adjustment per click (microns)
Notes: The grind settings are for non-presurised baskets. You will need to grind coarser for pressurised baskets, you may add 7-10 clicks to the settings given below and start from there.
| S. No. | Coffee Bean | Roast Level | Grind Setting | Dose | Extraction Ratio | Brew Time | Flavour Profile | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Attikan Estate by Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters | Medium-Dark | 30 clicks | 18g | 1:2 | 25-30 seconds | A chocolaty, full-bodied espresso with a hint of fig, roasted nuts, balanced acidity, and a velvety texture. | 9/10 |
| 2 | Silver Oak Blend by Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters | Medium | 26 clicks | 19g | 1:2 | 40 seconds | A delicate and well-balanced cup, where I can clearly taste the honey and grape notes. It is acidic without being sour, with a slight bitterness that gives it that familiar coffee taste. | 8/10 |
| 3 | Breakfast Fusion by TGL Co. | Medium | 30 clicks | 17g | 1:2 | 25-30 seconds | An unusual espresso with a lingering buckwheat flavour. The espresso pairs very well with milk for a cortado, but lacks the bridge between buckwheat sweetness and coffee bitterness needed for an Americano. | 6.75/10 |
| 4 | Dhak Blend by Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters | Dark | 33 clicks | 17g | 1:2.5 | 28-33 seconds | A very balanced cup, with notes of dark chocolate and fruity jam underneath. | 8.25/10 |
| 5 | Sumatra by Starbucks | Dark | 33 clicks | 17g | 1:1.2 | 20-25 seconds | A bold and full-bodied espresso with notes of rich herbs and rustic spices. | 8.75/10 |
| 6 | The Swell Blend By Tulum | Medium | 28 clicks | 17g | 1:2 | 25-30 seconds | A balanced espresso with fruity and chocolaty notes. | 8/10 |
| 7 | The Saigon Blend by Tulum | Dark | 30 clicks | 17g | 1:2 | 25-30 seconds | A nutty and chocolaty full-bodies espresso with mild acidity. | 8/10 |
| 8 | Barbara Estate by Tulum | Medium-Dark | 30 clicks | 17g | 1:2 | 25-30 seconds | A balanced full-bodied espresso with notes of cocoa, honey and grapes. | 8/10 |
| 9 | Thogarihunkal by Tulum | Medium | 26 clicks | 18g | 1:2 | 25-30 seconds | A distinct espresso that reminded me of the sweet aftertaste of amla juice, not particularly in a bad way. The description mentions chocolaty and jaggery notes, but I did not get either of those. For me, it was definitely fruity, with a flavour that closely resembled amla. | 6.75/10 |
| 10 | The Lumen Blend by Tulum | Light-Medium | 26 clicks | 18g | 1:2 | 25-30 seconds | A bright, fruity espresso with a slightly nutty aftertaste. | 7.5/10 |
| 11 | Pulneys by Tulum | Dark | 30 clicks | 17g | 1:2 | 25-30 seconds | A fruity and chocolaty espresso with moderate acidity and bitterness. | 7.5/10 |
| 12 | Sandalwood Estate by Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters | Medium-Dark | 32 clicks | 18g | 1:2 | 25-30 seconds | A full-bodied, velvety espresso with notes of dark chocolate and orange marmalade, with a silky mouthfeel. | 9/10 |
| 13 | Sampigehoney Estates by Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters | Medium-Dark | 30 clicks | 18g | 1:2 | 25-30 seconds | This produces a similar espresso to Sandalwood Estate, with notes of dark chocolate and orange marmalade, but with slightly more acidity that justifies its descriptive raisin note. | 8.5/10 |
| 14 | Baarbara Estate by Blue Tokai Coffee Roasters | Medium-Dark | 33 clicks | 18g | 1:2 | 25-30 seconds | A full-bodied, syrupy espresso with notes of dark chocolate and roasted nuts. | 8.5/10 |
Swipe left to see the complete table on small screen devices.
