HOW TO
Did you know that the size of your coffee grounds affects your brew? It’s true – each brewing method calls for a specific size of coffee grounds to ensure you’re getting the best, tastiest, most aromatic coffee possible.
Many coffee lovers prefer to grind their own fresh coffee beans - but one thing they may not know is that the size of the grind has an effect on the final cup of coffee. Let’s take a detailed look at the different size grinds, and what brewing method they work best with.
A fine grind stops the water flowing too fast, and avoids trapping the grind as you’re brewing. This means that the water will pull the oils, aromas, and flavours from the ground coffee into your cup.
This grind size works best to brew a pour-over coffee.
A medium ground restricts the water flow slightly, ensuring that all the oils, flavours and aromas are pulled through a bit more slowly, allowing the coffee’s strength and flavour to shine through.
This grind size works best with a mason jar for cold brew, a Chemex, or a Moka Pot.
A coarse grind is best for these immersion-style brewed coffees, as the larger surface area of the coffee grounds retains all the precious oils, flavours, and aromas that make your coffee taste so great.
This grind size works best when you’re brewing with a coffee machine or a coffee press.
Burr grinders
These are the industry standard, with two sets of burrs that crush and grind the coffee beans, working like a salt grinder to maintain a consistent size grind.
Depending on the grinder you have, you can either store coffee beans in it, ready to be freshly ground every time you need a coffee – or you can just grind the exact amount you need.
Remember that storing coffee beans improperly can affect their freshness, flavour, and aroma.
Each grind size requires a different grind time.
Coarse: Grind your beans for 5-10 seconds.
Medium: Grind your beans for 10-15 seconds.
Fine: Grind your beans for 30 seconds.
Fine ground coffee should have the same (or similar) consistency as refined sugar.
Medium ground coffee is similar in size and consistency to sea salt.
Coarse ground coffee is most similar to coarse salt, with bigger coffee grounds.
Now that you know what coffee grind size your favourite brewing method needs, it’s time to get grinding, so you can brew a delicious cup of coffee at home.
How to grind for your preferred brewing method
