Are you expecting a dozen of guests over for an afternoon chat? Impress your guests with great-tasting coffee, figuring out the right amount of coffee for 12 cups and all the other tips that you might need for making a great cup of coffee.
The measurements may vary greatly depending on a lot of factors. There is no one-size-fits-all for the exact amount of coffee you would need. However, with a lot of trial and error, you will surely come up with the one that fits right for you.
How much coffee to use for a perfect cup of coffee? (the Golden Ratio)
You need a perfect balance of coffee and water to make an extraordinary cup of coffee. This perfect balance is referred to as the ratio between water and coffee. It’s up to you to choose which you’d prefer more as the resulting coffee taste differs.
You don’t need to worry too much about exact numbers and measurements. It’s not like baking where a slight measuring mistake could take a turn for the worse.
However, like bad-tasting cake, a poorly mixed coffee won’t be palatable. Thankfully, coffee lovers have established some ratios you can use as a guide in finding the best balance for you.
It could get complicated though when you would rather have a mug of coffee instead of a “cup” of coffee.
This means that the size of the cup you’re having your coffee in matters. Why? because coffee cups and mugs differ in size.
With that said, you need to determine how much liquid your container can hold before testing out any one of the ratios I’ve mentioned in this article.
Mugs typically hold roughly 240–350 ml (8–12 US fl oz; 8.3–12.5 imp fl oz) of coffee.
A mug can differ in size (usually 8 to 12 ounces). It’s best to measure how much liquid fit’s into your mug and then apply the ratio.
One of the most commonly accepted golden ratios for coffee is between 1:15 and 1:18.
Let’s math it out.
This means that for every 1 gram of coffee you would need 18 grams (ml) of water to get a light cup of coffee. In contrast, you would need only 15 grams (ml) of water for every gram of coffee if you want a strong cup of coffee.
As mentioned above, a usual mug can fit somewhere between 8 to 12 ounces. So, after finding out how much your mug can fit, you can proceed with making your coffee.
Keep in mind, the type of coffee beans, the brewing method, and even the water you use in preparing your coffee also matter. All these can affect the taste of your end product.
For example, percolation should have more coffee than immersion.
Percolation is how coffee is usually made. It is the process of a liquid slowly passing through a filter.
Without going into too much detail, percolation which involves pouring water over would require more coffee than immersion or infusion. A good example is French Press or AeroPress falls.
Experimenting on which one suits you the best is highly recommended before sticking to one you’ll end up using for your usual coffee fix.
Another thing to keep in mind is the brewing method. Take a look at this video below 👇
How much coffee for 12 cups?
In general, you need 12 scoops or between 115 to 150 grams of coffee, which is 23 to 30 tablespoons.
The longer answer requires a discussion of how the different golden ratio works. The ratio varies greatly depending on how light or strong you would want your coffee to taste.
The common coffee machine can prepare 12 cups of coffee at most, with one cup approximately accommodating 6 oz of liquid.
We’ll then determine the right amount of coffee needed by applying the appropriate ratio with the coffee strength you prefer according to the table below:
How many scoops of coffee for 12 cups?
To make 12 cups of coffee, you’ll need 12 scoops of coffee.
Note that using a scoop is not the best method for measuring coffee. A standard coffee scoop is made for a 6-ounce cup. However, a coffee pot will usually have a “cup,” which is around 5 ounces per cup. This means the calculation is still a bit off.
Here are some coffee scoops I found on Amazon that might help you save the trouble. 👇
Did you know that scoops can also differ in volume? Well, even if it’s a standard coffee scoop, it will change depending on the grind.
How many tablespoons of coffee for 12 cups?
To make 12 cups, you would need 23 - 30 tablespoons of coffee.
These amounts follow the golden coffee ratios between 1:18 to 1:14. Go lower for lighter coffee or higher for stronger coffee.
It is commonly assumed that one level tablespoon weighs around 5 grams. But it can also vary between 5 to 8 grams. The disparity makes using the tablespoon quite inaccurate.
But we can definitely get by with it if there is no other choice. “To use a tablespoon, or not to use a tablespoon. That is the question!” 😛
To make life easier, these coffee spoons might actually help. 👇
How much coffee grounds for 12 cups? (grams)
You need to use between 115 to 150 grams of ground coffee for 12 cups of coffee.
These amounts follow the golden coffee ratios between 1:18 to 1:14. Go lower for lighter coffee or higher for stronger coffee.
If you don’t have coffee spoons or scoops (or are just pretty meticulous), measuring coffee exactly in grams can be a welcome option.
Bring out the weighing scale!
However, keep in mind that the brand or the grind of your preferred coffee would most likely affect the final result.
Some brands might even recommend their own water-to-coffee balance. But it is best to adjust your calculations based on your actual experience in brewing your purchased coffee grounds.
Again, it’s pretty much trial and error.
How many ounces of coffee for 12 cups?
In terms of weight, you need around 4 to 5.3 ounces for 12 cups.
For volume, however, a coffee maker with a 12-cup capacity would require 60 ounces of water for 23 to 30 tablespoons of coffee.
As usual, making your own adjustments based on your own preference is suggested before you pick a ratio you plan to stick to.
So among everything that has been discussed, which one is actually the best way to make coffee for 12 cups? The answer depends on what is accessible and convenient for you.
Different methods of measurement will do depending on the tools available at your disposal. Just be aware that calculations may be off. If this happens, you might have to add water or more coffee.
What’s the best way to make coffee for 12 cups?
There are many factors to be considered when determining the best way to make coffee for 12 cups. On average, 115 to 150 grams of coffee should be enough to prepare 12 cups worth of beverages using the common coffee machine.
But what is the best way to prepare coffee for a big batch?
Your best option is to use a coffee machine. This way you can easily measure the coffee and the water and simply wait for it to be ready.
There are big enough coffee makers out there that can already make 12 cups at a time. Take a look at this coffee maker I found on Amazon. 👇
You can also opt to buy a french press like the one below. 👇
This can be a great idea if you plan to take your coffee sessions outside because you won’t need power.
Take a look at this video below about preparing a big batch of coffee.
Hosting a large group can be quite a task, You’d have to make sure that you have more than enough of everything like food and drinks. Plus, they have to taste good!
I hope this post about how much coffee for 12 cups was helpful for you to make your coffee party a blast.
