When you grind coffee beans and make a cup of coffee, you might think it’s going to be as good as the coffee you get from your favorite coffee shop. However, when you taste it, it might not be the same. The great news is, to make amazing coffee, it’s more about how you do it than the machines you use.
You can make that delicious, full coffee right at home, just don’t make these common mistakes.
Different Grinds for Coffee Beans
You might not know this, but there are many ways to grinding your coffee beans. Each way changes the smell and taste of your coffee.
Let’s look at the different grinds. You can get these by adjusting your grinder:
- Extra Coarse – Like tiny pebbles
- Coarse – Like rough salt
- Medium – Like brown or white beach sand
- Fine – Like normal table salt or sugar
- Extra Fine – Like powdered sugar
- Turkish Grind – Like baby powder
The time the water spends with the coffee depends on how small the coffee particles are. The smaller the grind, the more it touches the water. This means you don’t need to leave it as long.
Choosing the Right Grind for Your Coffee Maker
Each grind size changes your coffee’s taste. So, what’s the best way to grind your beans? If you’ve been using a blade grinder, it’s time to stop. It’s a big mistake in grinding coffee. Never use a blade grinder for your coffee beans! It makes your coffee worse than the pre-ground coffee from the store. Blade grinders work by spinning really fast. This creates heat and friction, both bad for coffee. Heat ruins the taste of your coffee. If you’ve been using this method, your coffee might taste burnt and less fresh. A better choice is a burr grinder. Burr grinders crush beans evenly and slowly. This means no extra heat, so the taste and grind quality stay good.
The Best Grind for Different Coffee Makers
Still unsure about the best grinder or grind size? Here’s a guide for each grind and its use.
- Coarse Grind: Great for French Press, Cold Brew Makers, Vacuum Coffee Makers, and Percolators.
- Medium Grind: Ideal for Auto Drip Coffee Makers.
- Medium/Fine Grind: Good for Drip Makers with cone-shaped filters.
- Fine Grind: Works well with Stove Top Espresso Pots and some Drip Makers with cone filters.
- Super Fine Grind: Best for Espresso Machines.
- Turkish Grind: For making Turkish Style Coffee.
Avoid These Coffee Grinding Errors
You might be making these other grinding mistakes:
Using Poor Quality Coffee Beans:
Beans roasted too long are dark and shiny. They make a strong, bitter coffee. Medium roasts are smoother and lighter. If you’re unsure about beans, try a Blue Coffee Subscription Box for quality beans.
Grinding Coffee Too Early:
Don’t grind beans too soon. It ruins the brew’s quality. Grind when you’re ready to brew to keep the flavor fresh.
Grinding Too Much or Too Little:
Grind only what you need. Grinding too much wastes coffee. Experiment to find the right amount for you.
Wrong Coffee to Water Ratio:
Ever had weak coffee? Maybe there’s too much water or not enough coffee. A good starting point is two heaping tablespoons of coffee per cup, then adjust as needed.
Conclusion
Now, with all this knowledge about grinding coffee beans, you’ve become a pro at it! Focusing on small details, especially the coffee grounds in this situation, will lead you to enjoy a fantastic cup of coffee.
Read also Nine Months to Grow a Coffee Plant.