People who love coffee and find joy in every cup know that making a great pot requires skill and finesse. No matter how you brew your coffee – with an electric maker, a French press, or another method – the first step on the path to great coffee is grinding your own beans. Ensuring that your coffee grind size is right for the type of coffee you’re making is key to brewing a fabulous pot of coffee.
In this guide, we explore the nuances of grind size, its impact on flavor, and how you can master this essential aspect of coffee brewing.
Why Does Coffee Grind Size Matter?
In essence, making coffee involves a process of flavor extraction. Think of it this way: hot water meets your ground coffee, and voila! Soon you have a cup of delicious brew. The coffee grind size impacts the final result in several ways.
1. Surface Area: The smaller the coffee grind, the more quickly the water affects its flavor.
2. Extraction Rate: The rate at which your coffee is extracted depends on the coffee grind size – the coarser the grind, the slower the extraction rate. Conversely, the smaller the coffee grind size, the faster the extraction.
3. Flavor Balance: Coffee grind size determines the flavor profile of your coffee – is it weak and blah, or robust and rich? Once you know the right coffee grind size for your brewing method, you’re sure to make a delicious, deep coffee every time.
Knowing the proper grind size you should use for your brewing method lets you make a rich, flavourful pot of coffee every time.
Understanding Coffee Grind Size Spectrum
There are several different levels of coffee grind sizes, each of which matches a particular brewing method. Knowing the right one for the way you’re making coffee means you’ll get the most out of every pot of coffee you brew. Let’s examine the sizes available to you, and what brewing method works best with each size.
1. Extra Coarse
• Texture: This coffee grind size looks a little like black peppercorns or sea salt.
• This coffee grind size works best when you’re making cold brew coffee, or when you’re out at a campsite and making “cowboy” coffee over an open flame.
• Its flavors are best described as laid back, mellow, and smooth, with less acidity than other coffee styles. This large coffee grind size is ideally suited to slow extraction brewing times.
2. Coarse
• Texture: this coffee grind size is a little like sand at the beach.
• This coffee grind size works well in a French press, and in percolators, you place it on a stove or countertop and plug it into the wall.
• Its flavors are best described as rich and robust, with no bitterness.
3. Medium Coarse
• Texture: This is akin to beach sand too, but perhaps a little more coarse.
• This coffee grind size works well in a Chemex pour-over coffee maker and other drip brewers.
• Its flavors are well-balanced and even, with no bitterness or unwelcome acidity.
4. Medium
• Texture: Again, this coffee grind size is a lot like sand.
• This grind size works well in drip coffee makers, Aeropress makers, and siphon makers.
• Its flavors feature well-balanced notes that are able to come through with subtlety and complexity.
5. Medium Fine
• Texture: This coffee grind size is finer than beach sand.
• This works best with pour-over brewing machines that use a cone-shaped filter, like Melita.
• Its flavors are slightly acidic and sweet, yet simultaneously bust and rich.
6. Fine
• Texture: This grind resembles table salt.
• Use this coffee grind size when you’re brewing in an espresso maker or a Moka pot.
• Its flavors are concentrated, dense, and bold.
7. Extra Fine
• Texture: This coffee grind size is like flour or talc in appearance.
• Use this when you’re making Turkish coffee.
• The flavors are strong and rich, and the aroma is fabulous!
How Does Grind Size Impact Flavor?
As soon as water comes into contact with coffee grinds, the extraction process begins. It causes the aromas to come to the fore, and for the body and flavors to begin developing. The coffee’s flavors and depth are determined by the coffee grind size, the extraction rate, and the brewing method. And these depend on your individual tastes and preferences. For example: if you love a strong cup of espresso each morning, your grinder will be permanently set on extra fine to get you the perfect grind size for your espresso maker!
Let’s examine how the extraction rate and grind size impact flavor:
1. Under Extraction. If grounds are too coarse and if water passes over them too fast, the result is going to be coffee that’s unappealing. It will lack flavor and depth, and may even be sour in taste. Without a doubt, it will be weak, lacking in that robust flavor all coffee lovers prize.
2. Over Extraction. If coffee grounds are too fine, water extracts almost too many properties – including unwanted ones. Consequently, the coffee is going to be bitter, harsh, and overwhelming.
3. Optimal Extraction This happens when the right coffee grind size is paired with the perfect rate of extraction. Ultimately, this gives you a great cup of coffee no matter what brewing method you use! Whether you’re making an espresso or a regular coffee from a French press, the flavors will have balanced acidity, brightness, and lots of body.
Factors Influencing Coffee Grind Size Selection
Several factors impact grind size, and you should take these into consideration when you’re making coffee, to ensure that you get a perfect pot every time.
1. Brewing Method. For example: A French press requires a coarse grind, which helps stop sediment from getting through the mesh filter. Espresso machines, on the other hand, demand a fine coffee grind size so that its depth and bold flavors can come through under the machine’s high pressure.
2. Coffee Bean Type. Not all beans are created equal! Beans have different roast levels, and this impacts how they’re affected by water. Darker roasts work well as coarse grinds because they’re more water-soluble. Conversely, lighter roasts serve well as finer grinds, as their delicate flavors come to the forefront in brewing methods like Turkish and espresso makers.
3. Personal Preferences. In the end, the ideal coffee grind size depends on your preferences and tastes. Which type of coffee do you most enjoy? Espresso? Latte? A plain cup of dark roast with a little sugar? Once you settle on the coffee best suited to your tastes, you’ll know which coffee grind size is right for you.
Different Coffee Grinders for Achieving Precision
Like most food and drink preparations, having the proper tools at your disposal is crucial to making a good cup of coffee. And that means that having a top-quality grinder is every bit as important as having a top-quality coffee maker. There are a variety of manual and electric grinders available. Here’s a quick look at the advantages and disadvantages of burr and blade grinders, to help you make an informed choice when you buy.
Burr Grinders
The biggest advantage of burr grinders is that they consistently give you the same coffee grind size. As we’ve said in this post, getting the same coffee grind size is key to getting a fabulous pot of coffee! If you’re a coffee aficionado who fusses over every cup you make, this is the right type of grinder for you. And you can buy burr grinders in electric and manual models.
Blade Grinders
The biggest advantage of a blade grinder is its cost. You can find an inexpensive one either in stores or online, and they’re available just about everywhere. However, a downside is that these grinders sometimes produce inconsistent coffee grind sizes, so they aren’t suitable for perfectionists. Nonetheless, if you’re on a budget or you’re just learning to brew coffee at home, a blade grinder works well as you take your first steps on your coffee brewing journey!
Tips for Mastering Coffee Grind Size
Knowing why coffee grind size is so important means you’re well on your way to brewing fantastic coffee! Here are a few tips that help ensure you’re on the right track:
1. Start with a Reference. By this we mean find a chart of different coffee grind sizes, so you can clearly see the correct size matches your brewing method.
2. Adjust Based on Taste. If you find that your espresso is turning out too strong for your individual preference, simply cut back or alter the grind size. These minor adjustments allow you to curate a cup of coffee that’s perfect for you.
3. Invest in Quality Equipment. Skimping on purchases isn’t worth it. Buy quality equipment – your grinder and coffee maker – and you’ll be glad you did. Spending a little extra is always worth the investment 2when it comes to coffee-making items.
4. Experiment with Ratios. Consider the ratio of water to grind size and let yourself play around a little. Doing this helps you discover the best coffee possible that suits your taste preferences.
5. Clean Your Grinder. Keeping all your kitchen equipment clean is crucial, and that’s particularly true of coffee-making tools. Cleaning your grinder after using it rids it of oils and bits of coffee that may get trapped.
Common Coffee Grind Size Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Choosing the correct coffee grind size is a crucial part of brewing good coffee. Even small mistakes can impact your coffee’s flavor, so note these errors and make sure you don’t make them!
1. Using the Wrong Grind Size for Your Method. Solve this by always checking the recommended grind size for whatever brewing method you’re using.
2. Inconsistent Grinds. Solve this by buying a burr grinder when you can afford it.
3. Neglecting to Adjust for Fresh Beans. Keep tabs on when you bought the beans, and remember that fresh beans may require a minor grind adjustment.
4. Overlooking Environmental Factors. Solve this by remembering that things like humidity can impact beans. Store them in a dark, dry place.
The Joy of Experimentation
You can find a lot of fun and joy in experimenting with your grinder and coffee maker. You don’t have to brew the same thing every time. Adjust your grinder and play around with the amount of water you use. Making coffee isn’t just a morning routine – it can be an art!
And buy different beans from time to time. See how using different beans affects the strength and flavors of your morning brew. You can always make your favorite pot again tomorrow morning.
By using precision when you measure and set the grinder, and your favorite beans, your best mug of coffee is just a few moments away!
