HOW TO GRIND COFFEE PROPERLY

The tricky thing about how to grind coffee is that it must be ground specifically to your preferred brewing method.

Coarse, Medium, and Fine "grinds" are used for various brewing methods to get the best flavor possible. How do we explain what those grounds actually look like! Well, maybe these verbal descriptions will be helpful:

* Coarse - Chunky, distinct particles, reminds one of potting soil.

* Medium - More the texture of coarse sand.

* Fine - Smoother yet. More like sugar or salt when you rub it between your fingers.

* Super Fine - Not quite as fine as flour or powdered sugar, but definitely similar. You can still feel some grit.

* Turkish Grind - Like flour, very powdery.

NOTE: Although it helps to hold your mouth just right while using a blade grinder, it is well known that Quality Espresso and Turkish grinds can only be accomplished with a more expensive burr grinder. Sorry.

The way that you grind your coffee has a huge effect on the way it tastes. The following should assist you. Remember, this information is about your perfect cup!

A Coarse Grind is generally used for the following:

French Press (press or plunger pot)
Toddy Makers (cold brew method)
Vacuum Coffee Maker
Percolater (perish the thought!)

A Medium Grind:

Auto Drip Makers (with flat bottom filters)

A Medium/Fine Grind:

Drip Makers (with cone shaped filters)

A Fine Grind:

Stove Top Espresso Pots
Some Drip Makers (with cone shaped filters)

A Super Fine Grind:

Espresso Machines

A Turkish Grind:

Well, uh... that would be for the uh... Turkish Style Coffee, yeh, that's it!

So how does all this translate into the perfect grind for the perfect cup?

Well, there are probably a thousand different styles and makes of grinders available for home use but there are only two actual types.

The first is called a Blade Grinder (or a coffee mill) and the second is called a Burr Grinder.

So which one is right the right one? The answer to that question is "What can you afford?"

BLADE GRINDERS: PRO AND CON

The good news is that a blade grinder will get the job done for most people who make coffee in a Drip Maker, Toddy Maker, or French Press. In other words, blade grinders are functional for all but fine to super-fine grinds such as Espresso or Turkish. They are simple and inexpensive.

The drawbacks are few but notable:

#1. They are a bit messy and noisy. Would you rather be awakened by an obnoxious sound or a pleasant aroma?

#2. The coffee is not really ground but is more pulverized, thus it lacks consistency which means extraction is not as smooth and complete.

#3. And last but not least, there is somewhat of a learning curve.

How To Grind Coffee With A Blade Grinder
(Also known as a coffee mill )

This type of grinder usually has a clear plastic top that covers a coffee bean reservoir. The blade looks (and works) like a propeller and is seated in the center of the reservoir. The beans are poured into the reservoir and the top is replaced.

Either by putting some pressure on the top or, in some cases, holding pressure on a button, causes the blade to spin, pulverizing the coffee beans. Blade grinders are handled manually so they have no settings.

That's why, with this grinder, you need to be familiar with the different grinds because this little operation is done by a combination of timing and sight. The longer you grind, the finer the grind will be. Not to worry. This is actually much easier than it may sound.

First of all, How much coffee do you use? I like my coffee strong, so for a 15 cup maker I fill the reservoir as full as I can. If I can still get the lid on, I'm happy.

A good rule of thumb for most people though, is to start with two tablespoons of coffee beans for every six to eight ounces of water and adjust to your taste.

(in other words, approximately two tablespoons of coffee beans per cup)

Now, once the grinder is loaded, don't just hold the button down and let it rip... use short bursts of a few seconds each so the coffee doesn't overheat.

Make sure you have a hold on the top of the unit and give it a shake during bursts so that the grounds get well mixed while grinding. This will make the grind much smoother and consistent.

For a coarse grind, 8-10 seconds, a few seconds at a time should do nicely. For a medium grind, try short bursts that add to 10-15 seconds, and a fine grind would be a few seconds or more longer. Experiment and have fun.

After a short learning curve, you will get it just right.

Burr Grinders

So what's the big deal about burr grinders? The answer to that is precision and versatility.

Precision:

Yes, if you spend a bit more money, you can wake up in the morning and precision grind coffee before you even get the sleep out of your eyes.

Your world's best coffee beans fall down between two burrs that have been pre-set (by you) allowing accurate grinding for the brewing method of your choice. Your coffee shall then be ground perfectly, day in and day out.

Due to variations between manufacturers you may still need to experiment some with different settings. You may find that the recommended settings need to be adjusted to your taste. Once you get the settings right for your "Perfect Cup", well, its what you might call a "No Brainer!"

Versatility:

A burr grinder will grind coffee accurately for any purpose from French Press to Espresso to Turkish. It is truly an all purpose grinder.

How to grind coffee properly is now a forgotten concern and your Perfect Cup is only moments away...