Double espresso and doppio (ml, grams, preparation)
A doppio is a double espresso – about 14–18 g of ground coffee and roughly 60 ml of drink, extracted in the same 25–30 seconds as a single shot. It is the standard shot in most cafes today, because a double basket extracts more evenly and gives a fuller flavour. Here is exactly how to prepare it – including doses, ratios and the difference from a regular double shot.
A double pleasure called espresso doppio?
If the classic espresso is like nothing to you and you feel like a bigger dose ofcaffeine, just orderespresso doppioor in Englishdouble shot. The term double shot was derived fromthe Italian term doppio, which in Italian simply means double.
One shot of espresso can have30 to 50 mg of caffeine. This means that a double shot is likely to have60 to 100 mg of caffeine.
The confusion surrounding the double shot
The term doppio comes from Italy, where coffee brewing ratios are and have been quite different than anywhere else. Meanwhile, while it is reported that doppio was 60 ml of liquid espresso,it is not clear how much ground coffee was usually put into it.
So what doesdouble mean in the coffee industry today? I probably won't make you too happy, because there is no standard for it.
A double can beanything that goes through a double or triple basket between 14 and 115 grams of liquid espresso. That doesn't make our problem any easier.
The only part that isn't confusing about making a double shot is thecoffee extraction time. Preparation of all espresso is generally done in the rangeof 23-35 secondsdepending on the solubility of the coffee.
Single Vs. Double Shot: what are the differences?
According to the Italian definition of espresso, traditionally7 g of fine ground coffee is usedand yields approximately 30 ml of espresso.
Today it is different, single baskets are usually adapted to about10 g of coffeeand the output depends on the brew ratio, which is usually between 1:5 - 2:5.
So to make a double shot we use a double batch:14 g of coffeeand get about60 ml of espresso.
The difference between a single shot and a double shot. Source.
How to prepare Doppio correctly?
Most baristas agree that doppio should be preparedin a 1:2 ratio. This means that22g of coffeeshould be extracted to make44g of double espresso.
The problem is thatnot everyone prepares espresso in a 1:2 ratio. Double espresso preparation varies from barista to barista, coffee shop to coffee shop but alsostate to state.
Some baristas prefera lighter and more diluted espresso, which they preparein a 1:2.5ratio (or 22 grams in and 55 grams out). Others prefera stronger and more intense espresso, which they prepare at a ratioof just 1:1.5(22g in and 33g out).
However, the brew ratio depends not only on the barista's preference of flavours, but also on the specificcoffee.
One coffee may be preferredwith a higher brew ratio, so that its potential and all itsflavours come out. Conversely, we may like another coffee better with the brew ratio adjusted to 1:9 to encourage its stronger expression.
Also, not every café puts the same amount of coffee in the basket.In the USit is common to dose19-20g in and 38-40g out.In Australia 20-22 g in and dispense 40-44 gfor a double espresso.
In the UKthe norm is to dose18g in and 36g outandin Italy, where single espresso preparation is more common, your barista is likely to dose7g in and 14g out.
They all brewcoffee of the same strength but dose different amounts, so even if we use the same name -doppio- we can get different sized drinks.
How to make doppio
Double lever
Nowadays, double shotsarecommon in coffee shops all over the world. If you ask for a classic coffee, the barista will probably make you adouble, but use a split portafilter to cut the cup in half.
In fact, most baristas use adouble tray, to prepare not one, but two cups at once, and it is used to prepare all drinks. Unlike the single basket, it is shaped to extract properly and can affect thetaste of the coffee.
Naked lever
Occasionally a second brewed coffee can come in handy, but sometimes it goes to waste. The ideal solution to this problem is just thenaked lever.
TheNaked Leverworks with the concept of a single batch prepared from a double lever with a basket for 14g of coffee. This solution is often sought after by cafés that tend to prepare milk drinks in larger cups, so that the taste of, for example,cappuccinosremains pleasantly balanced.
If you are looking for a coffee that conjures up twice as much pleasure as a classic espresso, doppio is the right choice. When it comes down to it, size in millimetres is relative, the main thing is that your cup of coffee will taste good.
Frequently asked questions
How many ml is a double espresso?
Approximately 60 ml, that is two 30 ml shots. In practice cafes work with a brew ratio of 1:2 – for example 18 g of coffee in, about 36 g of espresso out – so the exact volume varies slightly with the recipe and the crema.
How many grams of coffee go into a doppio?
Typically 14–18 g of ground coffee in a double basket, depending on the basket size and the desired strength. Keep the ratio around 1:2 and adjust the grind so the extraction takes 25–30 seconds.
Is a doppio the same as a double shot?
Yes – doppio is simply the Italian word for a double espresso. Some cafes use 'double shot' loosely for two separate singles, but the drink in the cup is the same: one extraction through a double basket.
How much caffeine does a double espresso have?
Roughly 120–130 mg, about the same as a large mug of filter coffee. The exact amount depends on the coffee variety (robusta has about twice the caffeine of arabica), the dose and the extraction.
What is the difference between a doppio and a lungo?
A doppio uses twice the coffee for a standard-length extraction, while a lungo is a single dose with more water pushed through – longer and more bitter. If you want a bigger but still balanced coffee, a doppio is usually the better choice.