Dose (coffee)

Dose is one of the four variables that define an espresso shot (the others are yield, time, and temperature). A typical specialty café double shot uses 18g of ground coffee in a double basket, though some shops push to 19g or 20g for darker roasts or stronger flavor.

Dose precision matters because the math compounds. A 1g variation in dose (5–6% of typical dose) affects extraction, taste, and yield. A barista eyeballing dose produces shots that vary by ±2g — meaningful inconsistency. A barista using a scale produces shots within ±0.1g — invisible inconsistency.

Scales for dosing are inexpensive ($30–$80) and they're the single highest-ROI bar tool a specialty café can buy. Most professional baristas dose-and-confirm on the scale before pulling every shot, especially during training or with new beans.