How Many Coffees From 1kg of Beans Can You Make?

Whether you’re a café owner managing stock or a coffee enthusiast brewing at home, you’ve probably wondered this before: how many coffees can you make from 1kg of beans?

It's a fair question, and the answer, unsurprisingly, depends on a few factors, but we’re here to give you a clear, practical breakdown.

Introduction To Coffee Yield

Understanding the yield of coffee from a certain amount of beans is crucial for anyone serious about their brew. Whether you’re a coffee enthusiast brewing at home or a café owner managing your stock, knowing how many cups of coffee you can get from 1kg of beans can help you plan better and enjoy your coffee more.

The yield of coffee depends on several factors, including the type of coffee bean, roast level, brewing method, and coffee-to-water ratio. By understanding these factors, you can make more informed decisions about your coffee supplies and ensure you get the most out of every bean.

Coffee Bean Characteristics

The characteristics of coffee beans play a significant role in determining how many cups of coffee you can brew from 1kg of beans. For instance, Arabica beans are generally less dense than Robusta beans, which means they might yield fewer cups.

Similarly, light roasts retain more moisture and are denser than dark roasts, affecting the overall yield. One source suggests that the type of bean, roast level, and brewing method all contribute to how much coffee you can extract from your beans.

For coffee enthusiasts and roasters, understanding these characteristics is essential for making informed decisions about their coffee supplies and achieving the desired flavor and strength in their brews.

The Basics Of Coffee Yield

To calculate how many cups of coffee you can make from 1kg of beans, it’s important to consider how much coffee you use per cup.

A standard single shot coffee in Australia typically uses around 7 to 9 grams of ground coffee. For those who enjoy a double shot, you’re looking at roughly 14 to 18 grams per cup.

Using these figures as a guide, you can estimate:

• Single shot espressos (7 to 9 grams): Approximately 110 to 140 coffees from 1kg of beans.
• Double shot coffees (14 to 18 grams): Approximately 55 to 70 coffees from 1kg of beans.

When estimating how many servings you can get from a 1kg bag of beans, it's crucial to consider the brewing method and the recommended coffee dosage.

Of course, this is just an average. The actual number of coffees will vary depending on the method you use, the size of the cup, and even the grind size.

Calculating Yield

Calculating the yield of coffee from 1kg of beans involves considering several factors, including the brewing method, coffee-to-water ratio, and grind size. One source suggests, a standard drip filter with a coffee-to-water ratio of about 1:16 can yield approximately 60 to 70 cups of coffee.

The yield can vary significantly depending on the brewing method and the coffee-to-water ratio you use. To get an accurate calculation, it’s essential to understand these factors and use a digital scale to measure your coffee beans precisely. This way, you can ensure consistency in your brews and make the most out of your 1kg of beans.

Brewing Method Matters

The type of coffee you’re brewing plays a significant role in how much coffee you use. Here’s an overview:

1. Espresso Machines: Espresso shots require precise measurements, with single or double shots falling in the 7–18 grams range mentioned earlier. This makes it easier to predict how long a kilogram of beans will last.
2. French Press (Plunger): For filter or French Press brewing, recipes generally call for 60 grams of coffee per litre of water. If you brew a 300ml cup (a fairly standard mug size in Aussie households), you’ll use around 18 grams of coffee per brew. That translates to roughly 55 brews per kilogram.
3. Pour Over or Drip Coffee: Similar to a French Press, pour-over methods typically require 15 to 20 grams of coffee per cup, depending on your preferred strength. Again, this will give you approximately 50 to 65 cups per kilogram.
4. Stovetop Moka Pots: Moka pots tend to use slightly more coffee, especially if you’re brewing larger batches. On average, a medium moka pot will use around 15 to 20 grams per brew, yielding a similar range to pour-over.
5. Cold Press: Cold press brewing methods use a coarser grind and longer steeping times, typically requiring 80 to 100 grams of coffee per litre of water. This method can yield around 10 to 12 cups per kilogram, depending on your preferred strength.

Double Shot Yield

If you’re a fan of double shots, it’s important to know how this preference affects your coffee yield. A double shot of coffee typically requires about 14 grams of coffee beans. If you drink two double-shot coffees per day, a 1kg bag of coffee will last you approximately five weeks.

This calculation assumes no spillage and is specific to double shots. Some coffee drinks, like a long black, also require two shots of espresso. Experimenting with different amounts of coffee, such as 5 grams, 7 grams, and 10 grams, can help you find the perfect ratio for your preferred flavour.

By understanding how much coffee you use for double shots, you can better manage your coffee supplies and enjoy your favorite drinks without running out too quickly.

Ground Coffee Vs Whole Beans

When it comes to choosing between ground coffee and whole beans, there are several factors to consider. Grinding your own coffee beans before brewing ensures a fresher taste and a more desirable coffee flavor and aroma.

However, pre-ground coffee might make more cups than roasted whole coffee beans, but it loses its flavour profile much quicker. In fact, pre-ground coffee can lose up to 60% of its aroma just 15 minutes after grinding. While grinding whole coffee beans each time can result in some spillage and wasted coffee, using a coffee grinder can help preserve the flavour and aroma of the beans.

It’s important to note that 1kg of coffee in equals 1kg of coffee out, regardless of whether it’s ground or whole beans. The main difference lies in the freshness and flavor you get from grinding your own beans versus using pre-ground coffee.

What Affects Your Coffee Yield?

While the numbers above are helpful, there are subtle factors that can influence the number of coffees you get from your beans and vary based on several elements:

• Grind Size: Finer grinds often lead to more compact dosing, meaning you might use slightly less coffee per shot. Coarser grinds, as used in French Press or cold brew, can require more beans to achieve the same strength.
• Espresso Dose Size: Australian café culture often favours double shots, meaning coffee shops go through beans faster than households making single shots.
• Cup Size: The size of your cup can significantly impact the quantity of coffee brewed from a specific weight of beans. Larger cups require more coffee, reducing the total number of servings per kilogram.
• Strength Preferences: If you like your coffee on the stronger side, you may use more beans per cup, which means fewer overall servings per kilo. This is often influenced by individual taste preferences, as adjustments to the amount of coffee used can enhance or dilute flavours based on what you enjoy.

Maximising Your Coffee Experience

If you’re running a café, estimating your coffee usage is vital for managing inventory. Consider tracking the number of shots you extract daily, and plan ahead for peak periods.

For home brewers, a digital kitchen scale can help you measure out the right amount of coffee grounds consistently, ensuring you don’t waste precious beans. Stick to the recommended coffee-to-water ratios to achieve the best results.

Finally, remember that freshness matters. To enjoy the best flavour from your roasted beans, store them properly in an airtight container, away from heat, light, and moisture. Fresh beans will always yield a better-tasting brew, making every cup that much more enjoyable.

Final Brew-tally

To sum it up, one kilo of coffee beans will generally yield between 50 and 140 cups, depending on your brewing method and how strong you like your coffee. Whether you’re savouring a single shot at sunrise or preparing back-to-back orders at a café, understanding the numbers can help you make the most of your kilo of coffee.

No matter how you brew it, coffee has a way of bringing special moments to life. From the first sip to the last drop, every cup is an opportunity to connect, unwind, or recharge. The fresh, whole beans ensure the best coffee flavour, making every moment with your coffee beans truly special. Way to go, coffee beans.

If you're on the lookout for a new blend to try, why not check out our Elevate and Classic blends - both available in 1kg and 250g bags.