Why Grind Your Own Coffee Beans
83% of Americans drink coffee, making it one of the most popular drinks in the country. While many get theirs at the local coffee shop or café, others have bought into idea of brewing their own coffee at home. Whether they prefer a French press, a pour-over, or an espresso, people are beginning to enjoy being their own barista in the comfort of their own home.
No matter where it’s made, one of the most important steps in brewing coffee is grinding the beans. Those that buy whole bean coffee to make at home have a grinder that enables them to get the coffee to the desired grind level, so they can brew it how they like. Grinding the beans when the coffee is brewed helps produce a fresh-tasting cup.
Grinding the Coffee Bean
Maintain Freshness Longer
One of the best reasons why people have a grinder is that it enables the coffee to stay fresh for a longer period of time. Coffee begins to lose its aroma as soon after thirty minutes once it has been ground. This is a process called oxidation, and is seen more visibly in apples, bananas, and bread. Oxidation makes the aromatic oils of a coffee evaporate. Waiting until the coffee is about to be brewed to grind it helps the coffee maintain its freshness and flavor by keeping these aromas.
Determine Your Own Grind Setting
Another benefit of grinding whole bean coffee at home is that it gives the user control over the grind setting. Generally, coffee that is already ground at the grocery store, Starbucks, or local coffee shop is going to be ground for a drip coffee maker. Grinding one’s own coffee is a necessity for those that want to make a French Press or an espresso at home.
Here are some of the most popular ways to brew coffee, in order of how they should be ground, from most fine to coarsest.
- Turkish
- Espresso
- Moka Pot
- Drip
- Pour – Over
- AeroPress
- Chemex
- French Press
- Cold Brew
Burr vs. Blade Grinders
One of the most important pieces of coffee equipment is the grinder. The grinder that someone has plays a big part in the quality of coffee they are able to produce. A blade grinder is the most economical option, but it produces less consistent coffee than other grinders. This type of grinder “chops” the beans with a set of blades that spin inside of the grinder. The longer the grinder runs, the finer the grinds will be, so the user must keep an eye on the beans in order to bring them to the desired grind level.
A more professional, albeit expensive, grinder is called a burr grinder. There are conical and flat plate burr grinders, but both use serrated burrs to crush or grind the coffee beans, rather than chop it up like the blade grinders. These not only produce a more consistent grind but are quieter as well.
Typically, these are the grinders seen in coffee shops around the world, as they are much more efficient and allow the user to control the coarseness of the grinds.
Having a grinder and purchasing whole bean coffee is the best way to ensure that the coffee one consumes at home is fresh, delicious, and keep its flavor and aroma for as long as possible. There are a ton of reasons to grind your coffee at home. Invest in a burr grinder and start brewing fresh, tasty coffee at home!