Coffee begins with a bean being ground. Whether it was done by an industrial machine before being packaged and shipped to a store, or you did it yourself with a hand- grinder, grinding is an important step in your journey to a satisfying sip.
You don't need to be an expert to start grinding on your own. Four tips are included in the breakdown of the basics.
It is important to match the grind size with the method of brew you use. In order to adequately flavor the coffee as the machine pushes water through it, the grind size for a home espresso machine should be close to a powder. The grind size will be coarse if you are making a French press. You can find the right grind size in the video above.
If you buy pre-ground coffee, make sure it's big. In the US, pre-ground coffee is sold in grocery stores. You are okay if you use one of those machines. If you make a French press, use a Moka Pot, or have a small home espresso machine, this grind is not ideal. If your store offers it, you should grind the beans to your liking.
Once you have figured out the grind size, the next step is the act of storing coffee so that it stays fresh for as long as possible, as it's likely your bag of beans is going to sit on a shelf for a few weeks before you use it all
The coffee beans are interacting with the environment and the oxidation process is taking place. Coffee becomes rancid over time. A coffee that is left out for too long will lose its freshness and will make drinkers of black coffee cringe.
Buying freshly roasted ground coffee and using it within two weeks isn't always possible. Storage it in containers will stretch it out. If you want to prolong the life of your coffee, transfer it from the bag to a sealable plastic or glass container and keep it away from the sun.
Coffee beans release carbon dioxide as they sit. Degassing is a process that takes place. If you open the jar every day you don't have to worry about a build up of CO2 making your coffee taste worse.
Coffee grinding at home will have an immediate effect on the taste of your coffee. The difference between eating canned beans and fresh veggies from the farmers' market is similar to the difference between eating canned beans.
There are two types of coffee grinder in the house.
Coffee can be cut into fine particles with a blade grinder. It's easy to get a blade grinder and get the job done. Coffee is a lot more difficult than a smoothie when it comes to consistency. The longer you run the grinder, the more ground the coffee will be. You can't get the same grind size every time.
The burr grinder uses a revolving set of burr instead of a blade to crush the coffee. They are made out of metal and are very strong. Your French press won't taste different from day to day due to the many different settings in the burr grinder.
Do you want to make fresh coffee daily? A budget hand grinder is a must. You can get a cheap ceramic burr grinder for as little as $13 or a more professional model like Timemore's C2 hand grinder. It's similar to a grinder that costs four times as much.
The C2 can grind 20 grams of coffee in under 45 seconds, and hand-grinding will give you consistent grinds, whether you make an espresso or a pour-over.
There is a wide range of electric burr grinders if you don't like grinding coffee by hand. The cheapest options are available. If you stick with pre-ground beans, any of them will be better.
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