Volume of my doubles, am I crazy?

[Merlino]

Hi there!

When I make a double my typical volume is about 30ml (1 US oz.) which is tight even for ristretto but just the way I like it. But when I read about your doubles they're all in the range of 1.75-2.0 oz. Are my tastebuds numb or what!? Have I grown a tad too accustomed to the taste of coffee or is my syrupy drink not that abnormal?

[jesawdy]

Actually I think you will find yourself in good company... while I am typically doing 1.5-2.0 oz for a double, I have seen many posts here where folks are doing 1.0-1.25 oz for a double. Especially on the levers forum with double baskets, but also with traditional pump machines.

-Jeff

[miKe mcKoffee]

Actually I think you will find yourself in good company... while I am typically doing 1.5-2.0 oz for a double, I have seen many posts here where folks are doing 1.0-1.25 oz for a double. Especially on the levers forum with double baskets, but also with traditional pump machines.

-Jeff

Yup, my preferred straight double shot is a nice tight 1-1.25oz ristretto pulled in 35-40sec. For caps I'll pull a nomale 2-2.5oz in the usual 25-30sec. (Not a lever, but leverette rotary)

[jrtatl]

50ml is about as large as I go.

[another_jim]

Hi there!

When I make a double my typical volume is about 30ml (1 US oz.) which is tight even for ristretto but just the way I like it. But when I read about your doubles they're all in the range of 1.75-2.0 oz. Are my tastebuds numb or what!? Have I grown a tad too accustomed to the taste of coffee or is my syrupy drink not that abnormal?

That's what I usually pull (along with 10mL singles), and it's the norm in Italy except for a few very traditional bars.

The main thing is that it is easier to pull good tasting ristrettos than full size doubles -- the taste is milder and sweeter, accentuating sweetness, and limiting bitters and sours. I occasionally venture into full sized shots, but even after doing it for years, my results aren't nearly as good.

[Merlino]

It's the same for me, when I try to make say a 50ml double I always get a watery tasteless (not bitter though) drink. But I figured that it was in my opinion tasteless because I was used to the 25-30ml oil wells.

[malachi]

It depends on the coffee, on your dose and on your basket size.

Oh... and it's all personal taste anyway.

[cajun_brew]

Same here....most of my doubles are 1 oz or just a tad more. It seems so difficult to pull 50 ml shots without the last part of the shot coming apart but can nail the 1 or 1.2 oz tight shot most every time. Some blends can run longer and still taste great and not over extract (usually pro-roasted) but most of my home roast do better being pulled at a smaller volume.....plus it give me the excuse to pull another!

[RapidCoffee]

I typically pull 45-50ml doubles, but reputable sources claim 1.5oz singles/3oz doubles are typical espresso volumes ("a normal single espresso is 1.5 US fl oz, ± .5 ounce"). That seems like lungo territory to me.
________
John

[timo888]

Hi there!

When I make a double my typical volume is about 30ml (1 US oz.) which is tight even for ristretto but just the way I like it. But when I read about your doubles they're all in the range of 1.75-2.0 oz. Are my tastebuds numb or what!? Have I grown a tad too accustomed to the taste of coffee or is my syrupy drink not that abnormal?

Ever seen the movie King of Hearts?

Regards
Timo

[Merlino]

Ever seen the movie King of Hearts?

Regards
Timo

No, I haven't. On imdb.com I get a number of results for KoH, 1927, 1936, 1966, 1996 and 2005. Which one do you recommend?

[luca]

It depends on the coffee, on your dose and on your basket size.

Oh... and it's all personal taste anyway.

So true. I think that we should add machine and culture to the list as well, Chris!

Pull the shot that tastes good.

Cheers,

Luca

[timo888]

No, I haven't. On imdb.com I get a number of results for KoH, 1927, 1936, 1966, 1996 and 2005. Which one do you recommend?

Le Roi de coeur (1966)

Also Known As:
King of Hearts (USA)
Tutti pazzi meno io (Italy)


Regards
Timo

[jasonmolinari]

I think it is personal preference. I'm currently pulling just under 3 oz. doubles from 18g of coffee. Ristrettos pack too much flavor in a small volume.
Also depends on time of day. First waking up, i don't need to get punched in the mouth by coffee!

[scalla]

It depends on the coffee, on your dose and on your basket size.

Sometimes you have to read this stuff for it to sink in. After trying several pro blends I have found (now realize) they all were optimal at different volumes. I created a lot of sink shots trying to force 2oz from all of them.

My favorite so far is PR Nuevo. Mostly because it tastes so good but also because I get almost 2oz to enjoy from each 14.5 gram shot.

[babola]

It depends on the coffee, on your dose and on your basket size.

Oh... and it's all personal taste anyway.

Well said...I normaly pull 35-40ml double ristrettos from my 12g basket, and 40-50ml doubles from my 16g one. I also tend to cut it shorter on lighter roasted blends, and leave it just a tad longer for darker roasts.