Measuring a cup of coffee is not as straightforward as you might think. A standard cup of coffee contains 6 ounces. That said, you should understand that there are different coffee cups. The 6 ounces measurement only refers to the liquid amount and not the size of the cup.
With substantial knowledge of how many ounces you will get in a cup of coffee, your brewing at home will be easier. You can easily avoid making mistakes when you know what you are doing.
The History of Coffee Brewing
Since the discovery of coffee in Ethiopia in the Horn of Africa, this drink has come a long way. In the 16th century, the beverage reached Arabian borders, and the people loved it. From there, it made its way to Europe in the 17th century.
Did you know that coffee brought such controversy to Venice in 1615 that the Pope had to intervene? Well, Pope Clement VIII chose to taste, and fortunately, he loved it to the extent of giving it papal approval.
In Turkey, the first coffee brewing, similar to modern-day, took place.
6 Ounces of Coffee and Different Cup Variations
You must have come across different cups that serve coffee. While the standard measurement is 6 ounces, you cannot consume 6 ounces of coffee in a cup measurement of 6 ounces. The reason being the 6 ounces of coffee only measure the liquid, not the physical proportion of the cup.
There are three standard measurements for coffee:
· Espresso glass that contains 2 ounces
· A standard coffee mug of 10 to 16 ounces
· A travel mug of 16 ounces
Other Cup Measurements
· Small
· Medium
· Large
· Extra large
While most countries measure with small and large sizes, other countries and coffee brands have measurements like short and tall sizes. Italian names like Grande, Venti, and Trenta represent large and extra-large sizes.
Global Cup Variations
It is essential to understand that with all these different cup sizes, the strength of coffee varies. While some people enjoy their coffee black, others love additions like milk, marshmallows, cream, sugar, lemon butter, and even alcohol. It all depends on individual preferences.
Due to the rich nature of espresso, its consumption is in smaller ounces, typically one to three ounces. Other rich coffee types include Turkish coffee and Moka pot.
In America, especially North America, the smallest size of a standard cup of coffee is 12 ounces. Given that many Americans love to drink more than one cup a day, they will purchase a cup that is usually larger than 12 ounces.
Different Global Measurement Systems
Measurement systems around the world bring about the difference in cup variations.
· The imperial system in the US defines a cup as 8 ounces which represent 240 ml.
· The metric standard in Canada measures a cup to be 250 ml, while a Canadian cup measures only 227 ml.
· The traditional Japanese Unit is 180.4 ml, but a cup in Japan measures 200 ml.
· In Latin America, a cup varies between 200 and 50ml.
To develop this write-up, we took the time to carry out some heartfelt research. We came across some savvy links that nudged us on. Here are some which might be worth your time:
https://www.coffee-statistics.com/best-drip-coffee-maker/
https://www.tasteofhome.com/collection/12-mistakes-everyone-makes-when-brewing-coffee/
https://cafe-marie-jeanne.com/blog/how-to-measure-coffee/
The Coffee Golden Ratio
You cannot measure coffee if you don’t know how many tablespoons of coffee go into 6 ounces of water. Depending on the strength of coffee you want to achieve, one to two tablespoons is highly recommended.
The golden ratio also translates from 1 gram of coffee to 16 grams of water. You must invest in a good coffee maker and a scale for such measurements. Guesswork is not welcome if you want to enjoy your coffee but then again, adjust the taste to your taste buds.
If you love to make coffee at home, try getting into the habit of measuring. You will be so good at it with time because the scale will help you attain strength consistency.
It is also important to know that while some people enjoy their coffee with sweeteners like sugar, others prefer it as it is.
Types of coffee
While most people enjoy their coffee hot, others prefer to drink the beverage cold. These two different variations call for different methods of preparation and duration. Hot beverages can be ready instantly, while cold coffee can take between 12 hours to one day, depending on your flavor.
Significant
types of coffee fall along the below categories:
· Drip coffee
· Pour-over coffee
· Vacuum coffee
· Boiled coffee
· French press coffee
· Infused coffee
How Grind Size Affects the Strength of Your Coffee
Grind size refers to the texture of coffee beans. They can range from fine to coarse grounds. There are two types of coffee that grind size brings about:
Strong Coffee
The people who enjoy strong coffee drink it from very small cups. It is made from extra-fine grind size, and the water takes a long time to produce a cup. The large or extra-large cups do not apply here. Strong coffee is drank while black and usually with no additions, but other people love to add sugar and milk.
Strong coffee usually comes in small and medium drinks. An example of a small drink is espresso and cappuccino for a medium one.
Weak Coffee
Made from medium or medium-coarse coffee beans texture, weak coffee is usually enjoyed from bigger cups. Water passes the ground coffee beans quickly and hence the resulting weakness.
Since weak coffee comes in large drinks, examples include lattes and Americanos.
Final Thoughts
The above tips are both for coffee enthusiasts and those who are just trying coffee for the first time. If you want to be preparing your coffee at home, think of investing in a good coffee maker so you can be set in the morning.
If you are one to enjoy your coffee from the café across your work place, now you know about the different measurements that affect the cup size of your coffee.
