How To Properly Grind Your Coffee
Let's face it, it's hard to know how to grind coffee. Sure you can just throw some beans in a grinder and let it rip, but it's all about quality and precision. Thats precisely why at Day And Night Brewery we value the concept of being committed to top notch products, which means understanding the best ways to grind coffee. We thought we'd pass on that information, so here you go. Read and enjoy!
For more information, visit dayandnightbrewery.com.
Think fresh.
Freshly ground coffee is unparalleled. The minute you grind your coffee it starts to oxidize and accelerate the aging process. Grind it within 15 minutes before you brew for the best results.
Burr is better.
In general, burr grinders are better than blade grinders. Blade grinders unevenly chop and shatter coffee beans, while burr grinders give you a more even grind which allows, in turn, for a better, more balanced brew. Having a larger range of particle sizes will lead to flavor of both under- AND over-extraction. In a pinch, blade grinders work best if you give them a little cocktail shaker shimmy when grinding. But burr is best.
In general, burr grinders are better than blade grinders. Blade grinders unevenly chop and shatter coffee beans, while burr grinders give you a more even grind which allows, in turn, for a better, more balanced brew. Having a larger range of particle sizes will lead to flavor of both under- AND over-extraction. In a pinch, blade grinders work best if you give them a little cocktail shaker shimmy when grinding. But burr is best.
Dial it in.
Grind size affects the surface area of coffee that is exposed to water – we use the term “extraction” to describe this. Smaller particles will have more contact with water, and thus extract more quickly. The reverse is true, too. Basically, if you extract too much from the coffee (grind too fine or brew too long), the coffee may taste bitter and chalky, like aspirin. Extract too little (grind too coarse or too little brew time) and you’ll get sour flavors of vinegar with a lack of depth.
Grind size affects the surface area of coffee that is exposed to water – we use the term “extraction” to describe this. Smaller particles will have more contact with water, and thus extract more quickly. The reverse is true, too. Basically, if you extract too much from the coffee (grind too fine or brew too long), the coffee may taste bitter and chalky, like aspirin. Extract too little (grind too coarse or too little brew time) and you’ll get sour flavors of vinegar with a lack of depth.
Not blowing your mind? Adjust your grind!
We offer grind suggestions in our brew guides as a starting point – so when we say, the grind for your Chemex should be about as coarse as Kosher salt, that’s a good guide but may need some adjusting in grind and/or dose. If you find your coffee is tasting too strong or bitter you may need to coarsen your grind or lower your dose. If it’s too weak, or watery, you might tighten your grind or increase your dose. Experiment away, and find what suits you best.
Man vs. Machine.
To start, we stand behind all of the equipment we sell in our shop and we’ve tried, tested and approved all of our grinders. That being said, there are pros and cons to both manual and electric grinders.
Hand grinders are a favorite around here because we are a bunch of rambling men and women. They are compact, durable and portable – great for camping or travel. But these babies are not for the feint of heart. They are a bit cheaper but what you save in money you spend in muscle and time. If you’re making coffee for a crowd or are a morning grump, do yourself a favor and go electric.
To start, we stand behind all of the equipment we sell in our shop and we’ve tried, tested and approved all of our grinders. That being said, there are pros and cons to both manual and electric grinders.
Hand grinders are a favorite around here because we are a bunch of rambling men and women. They are compact, durable and portable – great for camping or travel. But these babies are not for the feint of heart. They are a bit cheaper but what you save in money you spend in muscle and time. If you’re making coffee for a crowd or are a morning grump, do yourself a favor and go electric.
Start sippin' as soon as you get your (coffee) grind on!
Thanks for reading!
*Information taken from https://www.stumptowncoffee.com/blog/grind-101
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