How Many Scoops To Make 10 Cups Of Coffee?

QUESTION: How many scoops to make 10 cups of coffee? My coffee maker has a maximum capacity of 10 cups of coffee. If I want to make a full pot, how do I do it? — Ralph W

ANSWER: Most coffee that you buy says that you’ll need 1 standard coffee scoop, which is the same as 2 tablespoons of coffee, for each cup. This is known as the golden ratio. But guess what. It’s about to get more complicated! Here’s why.

A “cup of coffee” is not the same as an 8 oz cup though. A cup of coffee is generally considered to be either 5 or 6 ounces, this varies between coffee makers. The drip coffee maker Mr. Coffee and OXO coffee pot call it 5 oz of coffee, but many bags of coffee call it 6 fluid ounces.

For the average person, the difference in coffee strength if you are brewing 6 ounce cups or 5 ounce cups with 1 coffee scoop of coffee grounds is not very noticeable and you’ll be fine whether your coffee maker makes 5 oz cups of coffee or 6 ounce cups.

As a general guideline, if you want to make 10 cups of coffee in a coffee maker, you’d add 10 scoops of coffee to make 10 cups. If you don’t have a coffee scoop, use 20 tablespoons of ground coffee to make 10 cups. A standard coffee scoop is the same as 2 tablespoons, so just double up the number of tablespoons. This is a good starting point.

In many cases however, the amount of coffee you use to make your perfect cup comes down to personal preference as opposed to a precise measurement. The best ratio for your perfect cup of coffee may be a bit different than the standard ratio. Coffee lovers who prefer a strong cup of coffee will want to adjust the coffee-to-water ratio to fit their personal tastes, adding perhaps an extra tablespoon of coffee and tasting as you go to find the best ratio for your personal taste. Coffee drinkers who prefer weaker coffee will use less coffee in their coffee brewing.

In addition, how much ground coffee you use will vary depending on your brew method. In most cases the brewing process will dictate, to a certain degree, the perfect ratio of fluid ounces of water to coffee grinds. In the end the brewing ratio that is best is the one that makes the perfect coffee that fits your tastes.