Published Aug 18, 2026 · 6 min read
Most inconsistent filter coffee comes down to one thing: nobody measures. Here's the ratio that actually holds up, plus what to adjust depending on your taste.
The Base Ratio
For a strong, traditional cup: 1 part decoction to 2 parts milk, sweetened to taste. For every cup of filter coffee powder used in the filter, expect roughly 3–4 cups of decoction once fully brewed and drained.
Coffee Powder Dosage
Use about 2 heaped tablespoons (roughly 20g) of coffee powder per cup of water in the upper filter chamber. Too little powder and the decoction runs weak and watery; too much, and it turns bitter and over-extracted. Our 80:20 Filter Blend is calibrated for this exact ratio — 80% coffee, 20% chicory, ground for South Indian filters.
Troubleshooting
Coffee tastes bitter: Reduce decoction, increase milk ratio, or use less coffee powder per brew.
Coffee tastes weak: Increase powder dosage slightly, or let the decoction drip for longer (2–3 hours ideally).
Decoction drains too fast: Your grind may be too coarse — a filter-coffee-specific grind (finer than drip, coarser than espresso) is essential.
Adjusting for Taste
Prefer a stronger cup? Shift toward 1:1 decoction to milk. Prefer it lighter and milkier? Go 1:3. There's no universal "correct" ratio — only the one that suits your palate, kept consistent through measuring rather than guessing.