How Do You Properly Grind Coffee?

Everyone loves a good cup of coffee – there is no doubt about that. However, the methods of brewing and preparing coffee vary from person to person. However, one thing is certain – you can’t make good coffee if you don’t have quality coffee beans. Moreover, if you choose to buy pre-ground coffee beans, you are already depriving yourself of the rich taste and aroma you can experience with each cup.

The best way to go about it is to get a coffee grinder and use it to grind the quality coffee beans you buy. However, not everyone knows how to properly grind the coffee, resulting in them making coffee with clumps. When grinding coffee perfectly, grind size is one of the major factors you need to keep in mind.

If you have a coffee grinder but can’t seem to use it to get the perfect cup of coffee, don’t worry. We have specially prepared this guide to help you grind coffee properly so that you can experience the right boost to kickstart every day. Let’s dive in and learn more.

Burr Grinders vs. Blade Grinders – Which One to Choose?

Apart from grind size, the coffee grinder you use also impacts the final result. According to experts and popular opinion, burr grinders provide the perfect output you need to grind your coffee beans, and blade grinders provide an uneven and inconsistent result. You will also experience the difference in the final brew, even if you use the same grind size for both.

Therefore, a burr grinder is more suitable for your needs. A simple internet search for “How does a burr grinder work?” will make things much easier for you. Having the right type of grinder will greatly impact the way you prepare your coffee and the taste you can achieve. You might have the finest coffee beans, but if you use the wrong coffee grinder, you might waste them completely. 

The Importance of Coffee Grind Size

When you are a coffee enthusiast and can notice the difference in the taste of your coffee, the grind size of the coffee beans is very important to you. The grind size you need to maintain is determined by two factors.

Contact Time

The contact time refers to the length of time that the ground coffee should be immersed in water. The more the grounds have contact time with the water, the more flavor will be released into the water by the grounds.

Extraction Rate

It refers to how much of the coffee’s signature taste will be present in the prepared coffee. This includes the flavor as well as the amount of caffeine and bitterness.

Therefore, the grind size of your coffee will vary depending on how much flavor and other characteristics you wish to experience in your coffee. There are different brewing methods to achieve distinct flavors, and all of them also call for varying grind sizes. If you continue using the same size for different brews, you will waste a lot of good coffee grounds. 

There are different guides to help you achieve the right grind size and brew. However, the best way to go about this is to trust your taste buds and let them decide what you want. 

You can experiment with different grind sizes and see how they affect the final output. If you grind the beans too fine and the coffee turns bitter, you can slowly dial it down and try again. You will be able to achieve the right grind size in a couple of tries.

Suitable Grind Sizes for Different Coffee Types

Let’s look at some preset grind sizes for each type of coffee.

Espresso

One of the most popular coffee types, an Espresso cup, requires an extra-fine grind, similar to powdered sugar. Since it is prepared through pressure, the coffee grounds spend very less time in the water and provide the correct amount of flavor to make the coffee perfect.

French Press

When it comes to the French press, the coffee grounds need to be coarse, similar to oregano or paprika seasoning. The method requires a larger surface area to release the right amount of flavor and bitterness into the water.

Aeropress

The coffee beans need to be ground finely for this brewing method, but not too fine. It helps prevent over-extraction.

Cold Brew

Since cold water is involved in this process, a cold brew requires you to grind the coffee beans coarsely. It supplements the long contact time involved in the process and prevents the coffee from getting too bitter.

To Conclude… 

That’s all we have for you on how to grind coffee properly. There is no rocket science involved in the process, and if you follow the aforementioned guidelines, you will be able to brew your favorite type of coffee consistently.