If you've ever reached for the bag on an early morning only to find it lighter than expected, you'll know the frustration of running out of coffee too soon.
To help you never run out, we thought we'd help you make the best size choice for your daily brew.
so, how many espresso shots are in each bag of coffee?
It starts with the shot
On our machine, the Sage The Barista Express, a single espresso uses between 9g and 10g of ground coffee. A double uses around 18g to 20g. This is also dependent on the machine setting.
Based on using 9–10g of coffee for a single espresso:
Shot count and how long a bag lasts two people having one espresso each per day
*Based on two people having one single espresso each per day. See the freshness note below — for a 1kg bag, that timeline runs past our recommended freshness window, so we've built in a way to handle it.
If you normally pull a double using 18–20g, roughly halve those shot counts — a 250g bag, for example, will make around 12–13 double espressos.
Your own numbers might land slightly differently. Espresso machines, baskets and grinders all vary, so treat this as a close estimate rather than an exact science.
Which Size Is Right for You?
Perfect if you're trying SOEB for the first time, or if you like to switch between origins regularly. Fresh, manageable, and a great way to explore our Mount Elgon Arabica, Masaka Robusta, or Signature Blend.
Best for: first-timers, variety lovers, occasional drinkers
Shop 250g →Our most popular size. Enough to last a solo coffee drinker a full month — and you save over 10% compared with buying two 250g bags. Orders over £30 also qualify for free UK shipping.
Best for: daily drinkers, home espresso fans, value seekers
Shop 500g →Best value per gram, and ideal for two-person households — you'll never run out mid-week. Free UK shipping included. Buy whole bean and grind as you go so the last of the bag tastes as good as the first (see below).
Best for: households, heavy drinkers, those who've found their favourite
Shop 1kg →Try the Discovery Set — all three SOEB origins (Arabica, Robusta, Signature Blend) in one box, so you can find your favourite before committing to a bigger bag.
Shop the Discovery Set →A Note on Freshness
Ground coffee is best used within 2–4 weeks of opening, and whole beans stay fresh for up to 6 weeks once the bag is unsealed.
That's comfortably within the window for a 250g or 500g bag. A 1kg bag, worked through at a couple of shots a day between two people, can run to 6–7 weeks — slightly past that freshness window.
Our fix: buy whole bean, keep out only what you'll use in the next couple of weeks, and freeze the rest in an airtight container. Pull a fresh portion out as you need it. This keeps every cup from the bag tasting like the first.
The Value Breakdown
Price per 100g and savings against the 250g bag
Frequently Asked Questions
How many espresso shots are in a 250g bag of coffee?
Around 25–27 single shots, based on 9–10g of ground coffee per espresso.
How many espresso shots are in a 500g bag of coffee?
Around 50–55 single shots — roughly a month for one daily drinker.
How many espresso shots are in a 1kg bag of coffee?
Around 100–111 single shots — best suited to two-person households, or grind-as-you-go drinkers who freeze part of the bag to keep it fresh.
Does this change for a double espresso?
Yes — a double uses about 18–20g, so roughly halve the shot counts above. A 250g bag makes about 12–13 doubles.
How long does ground coffee stay fresh?
Ground coffee is best within 2–4 weeks of opening. Whole beans last longer — up to 6 weeks once unsealed, or longer if you portion and freeze what you're not using.
Find Your Size
Whether you're a daily espresso drinker or an occasional coffee lover, there's a SOEB size for you:
Shop the Discovery Set → Shop Arabica → Shop Robusta → Shop Signature Blend →SOEB Coffee. Single-origin Ugandan coffee — from Mount Elgon and Masaka — crafted for everyday drinking.
