Grinding Coffee for
Great Tasting Results

Grinding coffee is the first step to creating the perfect cup of coffee.

Now, it is possible to make a very good cup of coffee and not grind the beans just prior to brewing.

For example, K-cups, coffee pods, etc, that are specially made for single cup coffee makers, produce great tasting cup of coffee when used with the coffeemaker designed for that type of product.

However, if you want to brew your own fresh, perfect cup of coffee, by all means grind the coffee beans just prior to using them, grinding just enough for this brew.

Why? Whole bean coffee stays fresh longer than ground coffee because there is less surface area exposed to oxygen. By grinding coffee beans each time you brew, the freshness is preserved.

Keep in mind, however, that the packaging and storing of your whole coffee beans will also affect the freshness. Bulk whole bean, if left in an open bin, begins to stale immediately as it is in open contact with oxygen. If left in the open for a prolonged period of time, the whole bean coffee will be stale before you ever grind it.

Keep your whole bean coffee stored in an airtight container to maintain its freshness as long as possible. Purchase enough to last a reasonable length of time, but remember in this situation buying significantly more product because you can save a few bucks might not pay off in the end.

HERE'S A COFFEE GRINDING TIP: In general, the finer the grind, the higher the coffee extraction will be. When using finer grinds of coffee, it is possible to actually use less coffee due to the higher extraction levels.

Different brewing methods also have different grind requirements, as the amount of time the coffee and water spend together affects the flavor elements that end up in your cup of coffee. Grinding coffee beans is sort of an art...or an acquired skill!

The design of your coffeemaker dictates how long the coffee and water sit in direct contact during the brewing process.

For example, grinding coffee for drip coffeemakers should be much finer than whole beans ground for percolators since the water in the percolator is in direct contact with the coffee for a much longer period of time.

Here is a simple chart for grinding coffee to help determine the grind that will work for your type of coffee maker:

Your next decision in the grinding coffee experience is the selection of a coffee grinder to grind your whole beans. There are two main types - Blade Grinders and Burr Grinders.

BLADE GRINDERS

This type of grinder is more like a blender for grinding coffee beans. They are not expensive, are readily available, and simple to use.

There are some drawbacks, however, that you need to be aware of. You are guessing how long you want the blades to run in order to grind beans to your desired consistency, so there is some trial and error involved at the start.

It will require a little experimentation on your part to determine how long to grind the whole beans to get the result you want. It can be done, for sure...just takes some patience.

Here are some well priced blade grinders for your consideration.Less than $25:

Mr Coffee Black 12 Cup Coffee Grinder: Precision Coffee Grinders with Chamber Maid Cleaning System. 3 precision grind settings: fine, medium, coarse; exclusive chamber maid clears grounds from chamber walls; grinds 4-12 cups; removable grinding chamber for easy pouring; press and pour wide opening lid with integrated spout for easy filing and dispensing.

Capresso Cool Grind Coffee Grinder: Capresso Product Features:Stainless steel blade and beaker allow for easy cleaning. Low heat build up preserves more flavor and aroma Large capacity for more than 15 cups of coffee

Toastmaster Coffee Grinder: Stainless steel blades. Easy access cord storage. Great for making flavored coffees. 2-ounce capacity for 12 cups of coffee.




BURR GRINDERS

The best and most common burr grinder is a conical burr grinder. These devices actually crush the beans between a moving surface and a non-moving surface.

The positioning on the burr is what regulates the ground size, which allows for more consistent grinding coffee. Since the beans are being crushed rather than sliced, there is not a noticeable increase in heat when using a burr grinder, so there will not be a burned taste or a loss in flavor.

Burr grinders are more expensive than blade grinders. However, if you are committed to freshly ground coffee beans for your java, it may be worth spending more for a product that is consistent in its grinding capabilities.

Here are some burr grinders for your consideration.

Under $60:

Capresso Jura-Capresso 585.05 Disk Burr Grinder: Unique vertical grinding prevents clogging. No ground coffee stays inside the grinder. Extremely easy to clean with special spiral brush. : Insulated safety lid for lowest grinding noise in its class! Grinder only operates with lid in place. : Burr Grinding Wheels deliver consistent, uniform grinding. : 17 position grind selector delivers the correct fineness for espresso, drip, French Press and percolators. : Removable upper burr for easy cleaning. : Large 14 ounce bean container : Separate On/Off button. Stop grinding at any time. Use for pulse grinding. : Electronic timer. Can be set to grind from 8 to 40 seconds. : Ground coffee container with lid. Holds up to 5 oz. of coffee. Extra safety - when ground coffee container lid is not in place, grinder will not grind. : Internal cord storage lets you retrieve the needed length of the power cord. : Handsome brushed stainless steel housing.

Under $100:

Capresso Infinity Coffee Grinder: Includes - Cleaning Brush, and Measuring Scoop : Extremely wide range from Turkish fine to coarse for all kinds of coffee preparation : Clearly marked fineness settings, 4 each for extra fine, fine, regular and coarse, a total of 16 settings : Commercial grade solid conical steel burrs with advanced cutting design for high precision grinding : Gear reduction motor grinds slow with reduced noise and little static build-up : Slowest grinding speed in its class creates less friction and heat build up preserving maximum aroma and flavor in any grind setting : Tight fitting ground coffee container, holds up to 4 ounces of ground coffee : See-through bean container holds up to 8.8 ounces of beans : Timer can be set to grind from 5 to 60 seconds : Elegant, timeless and user-friendly design : Cleaning brush and measuring scoop included : Dimensions - Height 10.8 x Width 5.4 x Length 7.7 : Weight - 3.3 pounds

Baratza G285 Baratza Maestro Coffee Grinder: The Maestro Conical Burr Grinder is one of the most eye pleasing grinders on the market, but the beauty isn't skin deep. Inside is the heart of a great grinder that can grind coffee beans for any coffee brewer, whether it is an espresso machine, drip coffee maker, or French press coffee maker.

Your coffee brewing experience can be wonderfully satisfying by grinding your own whole coffee beans!