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12 Roast & extraction

Total Dissolved Solids (TDS)

A measurement of how much coffee solids are dissolved in a brewed cup, read with a refractometer and used to calculate extraction yield.

  • Also called: TDS
  • Availability: Specialty

TDS is the percentage by mass of dissolved coffee compounds in the finished beverage, measured with a handheld refractometer. For drip and pour-over, the SCA "ideal" range is roughly 1.15% to 1.45% TDS at an 18% to 22% extraction yield. For espresso, TDS is much higher, typically 8% to 12%. The measurement turns subjective brew tweaks into data: useful for dialling in batch brew, less commonly used at home.

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