What is the 30 second rule for espresso?
The 30-second extraction rule suggests that a well-balanced espresso shot should take approximately 25-30 seconds to extract when using 18-20 grams of ground coffee and yielding about 30-40 milliliters of espresso. However, too long of a shot (over 40-45 seconds) can lead to over-extraction, which introduces excessive bitterness and a dry aftertaste. The goal is to find the right balance based on your beans, grind size, and espresso machine.
What is the 2:1 rule for espresso?
In simple terms, a 2:1 ratio means you’re extracting twice as much liquid espresso as the weight of the coffee grounds you use. For example: 18 grams of ground coffee in = 36 grams of espresso out. So, while it is reported that a doppio was 60ml of liquid espresso, we need a clear indication of how much ground coffee typically went into that. A double basket is currently sized for 16-18 grams of ground coffee. It used to be 14 grams but has since expanded.
Is 4 shots of espresso a day too much?
That means 4 to 5 shots of espresso puts you right near the upper safe limit, around 240 to 500 mg total. If your shots are on the stronger side (closer to 100 mg each), hitting that limit only takes about four. If they’re milder, five shots might be okay. Either way, that’s the maximum, not a target. The energy boost and rich flavor are hard to resist, but there’s definitely a line between “fuel for the day” and “asking for trouble. Most healthy adults can safely consume up to 6-7 single espresso shots per day, keeping you under the 400mg daily caffeine cap.