Recipe scaling and consistency
How to scale filter brewing recipes up or down while maintaining flavor balance and consistency across different batch sizes.
- Coffee Basics Nerds
- 1 min read
Recipe Scaling Principles
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Linear Scaling:
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Brew ratio (coffee:water) remains constant when adjusting recipe size.
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Example: 1:16 ratio → 15 g coffee / 240 g water; scaled to 30 g coffee / 480 g water.
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Challenges of Scaling:
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Larger brews increase bed depth, altering flow resistance and contact time.
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Smaller brews reduce thermal stability, making temperature control harder.
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Brewing devices may have physical limitations (filter shape, flow rate).
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Consistency Strategies:
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Keep bloom water proportional (2–3× coffee dose).
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Adjust grind slightly to compensate for changes in bed depth.
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Maintain total brew time within target range by adjusting pour speed and pulse frequency.
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Use scales and timers to control dose, yield, and time precisely.
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Flavor Impact:
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Poorly scaled recipes may taste weak or unbalanced.
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Proper scaling ensures sweetness, acidity, and body remain consistent regardless of brew size.
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Practical Example:
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Single cup: 15 g coffee → 240 g water, 3 min.
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Double batch: 30 g coffee → 480 g water, grind slightly coarser, aim for ~3:30–4 min brew.
Summary
Scaling filter brewing recipes requires more than just doubling or halving quantities. By adjusting grind, pour control, and bloom while keeping ratios consistent, brewers can achieve uniform flavor across different batch sizes.