Understanding Espresso Episode 1 Dose by James Hoffmann
☕ Why Dose Matters
The decision on your dose (e.g., 18g, 15g, etc.) fundamentally determines the amount of work required to properly extract the coffee.
- Extraction Theory: When brewing coffee, you are extracting soluble material from the grounds. More dose means more soluble material is present, requiring more work to dissolve a satisfactory percentage into the cup.
- Equipment Quality: Higher quality grinders and espresso machines (with better component, water dispersion, and temperature stability) are better at doing the work, making it easier to properly extract larger doses.
⚖️ How to Determine Your Dose
**1. The Basket is Key
The single most important factor is the metal basket you are using.
- Dose Reference: Many modern baskets (like VST) come with a recommended dose (e.g., 19g basket), which acts as an upper limit of what you should use, give or take 1 gram.
- Too Low a Dose: Using a dose much lower than the basket's intended capacity leaves too much space between the coffee cake and the shower screen. At the end of the shot, when the pressure rapidly dissipates, it causes an explosion of the coffee puck (a "soupy, messy, destroyed puck"), which is irritating to clean.
- Older Machines: If you have an old-school classic Italian espresso machine, it's best to start with a lower dose (e.g., 14g or 15g) as they are not built for modern high doses.
**2. Roast Level and Density
The coffee itself should influence your dose choice based on how hard it is to extract:
- Darker Roasts: Are easier to extract, so it is generally okay to use a higher dose.
- Lighter Roasts: Are much harder to extract. Starting with a large dose creates an impossible amount of work, resulting in a sour, under-extracted shot. It is recommended to go for a lower dose with lighter roasts.
🎯 When to Adjust Dose While Dialing In
Once you start the process of dialling in a new coffee, you should keep your dose constant as much as possible . The host treats dose as the last variable he will change.
However, a small adjustment can be a useful tool for small tweaks when you have limited coffee:
| Goal | Action | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Increase Contact Time (Shot is too fast, slightly sour) | Increase the dose (e.g., by 0.5g) | The extra coffee provides more resistance, slowing the flow of water and increasing contact time. This can push a 25-second shot to 28-29 seconds and "round the shot out". |
| Decrease Contact Time (Shot is too slow, slightly bitter) | Reduce the dose (e.g., by 0.5g) | The reduced amount of coffee offers less resistance, allowing the shot to flow quicker. |
💡 Other Considerations
- Caffeine: A bigger dose of ground coffee will result in a bigger dose of caffeine in the final beverage, as caffeine is highly water-soluble.
- Volume: Using lower dose shots (like the Italian 7g single or 14g double) means you can pull more shots in a day without over-caffeinating yourself.