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A Great Cup of Coffee Begins With the Grounds
Those who are passionate about coffee already know that the finest cup of coffee comes from freshly ground beans. But grinding your own beans and turning it into a great-tasting cup of coffee can be a lot harder than it looks.
If you’re new to grinding your own coffee, or you’ve been at it for a while and just haven’t been able to get your perfect cup of coffee nailed down, then here’s a helpful guide to get you there.
Getting the Coffee Grounds Right
Besides the quality of coffee you’re using, the most important part of grinding your own beans is getting the grounds right. If the grounds are too coarse, then the brew is going to be weak because coarse grounds are harder to extract flavor from. The coffee may also taste acidic, slightly salty, and even a little on the sour side.
On the other hand, if the grounds are too fine, then you run the risk of over-extracting flavor. While this might not seem like a bad thing, the truth is over-extracted coffee can be overpowering and unpleasant. It will often result in the coffee tasting bitter with no discernable coffee bean flavors present.
The Right Coffee Grind for the Right Medium
There are several mediums you can use to brew your coffee, from automatic drip coffee makers to French presses to espresso machines and more. Perhaps more importantly, the brewing medium you choose will dictate how fine or coarse you’ll want your grind to be. Here’s a basic guideline:
- Extra-Coarse Grounds: Extra-coarse grounds are best used for cold brewing techniques.
- Coarse Grounds: You’ll want to use coarse grounds with a French Press or a Chemex brewer.
- Medium Grounds: If you use an automatic drip brewer or a pour-over drip method, then you’ll want to grind your beans on the medium setting.
- Fine Grounds: Fine grounds are what you’ll want if you use an espresso machine or if you make your coffee on the stovetop.
- Extra-Fine Grounds: Extra-fine grounds are best reserved for very dark roasts, like Turkish or Greek coffee.
Which Coffee Grinder Is Best?
Coffee grinders come in two styles – blade and burr. Whichever one you use will also impact the flavor and texture of your coffee. While blade coffee grinders are among the most popular, they don’t produce the same level of quality grind as burr grinders. The reason is because while the blade spins, it creates heat and friction that actually start to cook the coffee. As a result, the coffee can sometimes taste overcooked. Plus, blade grinders produce inconsistent grounds, which are usually a mix of fine and coarse grounds.
A burr grinder, on the other hand, uses uniform pressure and rotation to crush the beans into a consistent ground. Burr grinders also work at lower speeds, so no heat is produced. The combination of consistent grounds and no applied heat makes for a better tasting cup of coffee.
Ready to Brew the Ultimate Cup of Coffee?
Now you know what goes into making the perfect cup of coffee fresh from the bean. If you need a fresh bag of coffee beans, a new brewer, or coffee grinder, then Coffee For Less has everything you need to up your coffee making game. Don’t settle for another lackluster cup of coffee – master the grind today, and you’ll always enjoy a great tasting and fully satisfying cup of fresh-brewed coffee.