Filter Coffee Grind Size: A Simple Guide to Mastering the Basics
Content
- Coffee Grind Size Chart
- How Grind Size Affects Coffee Flavor?
- The Benefits of Freshly Ground Coffee
- Recognize Over-extraction and Under-extraction
- Why Should You Grind Coffee Beans at Home?
- Which Coffee Grinder Is Right for You?
Coffee Grind Size Chart
| Grind | Particle size in millimeters | Consistency similar to | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extra-coarse | 1.5 | Rock salt | Cold brew |
| Coarse | 1 | Coarse sea salt | French press, percolators |
| Medium | 0.75 | Beach sand | Pour-over, Chemex, drip coffee maker |
| Medium fine | 0.5 | Table salt | Moka pot (stovetop espresso), Aeropress, siphon brewer, pour-over cone |
| Fine | 0.3 | Fine granulated sugar | Espresso |
| Superfine | 0.1 | Flour | Turkish coffee |
How Grind Size Affects Coffee Flavor?
Coarse Grind
Coarser grounds are larger and have less surface area, slowing down the extraction process. This is ideal for brewing methods like French press or cold brew, where longer steeping times are used. Coarse grinds result in a less intense, often smoother flavor with low acidity, as the extraction is gentler.
Medium Grind
A medium grind is commonly used for drip coffee makers and pour-over methods. With a balance between surface area and extraction time, medium grinds deliver a more balanced cup of coffee, where flavors are well-rounded with moderate acidity and body.
Fine Grind
Fine grinds have more surface area, allowing for faster extraction, which is why they are typically used for espresso. A fine grind leads to a richer, more intense flavor profile, with higher acidity and stronger, concentrated flavors, as the water passes through the grounds quickly and extracts more compounds in a short time.
Grind Size and Over/Under-Extraction
If the grind size is too coarse for a specific brewing method, it can lead to under-extraction, resulting in a weak, sour, or acidic flavor. Conversely, if the grind is too fine, it can cause over-extraction, making the coffee taste bitter, harsh, or overly strong.
The Benefits of Freshly Ground Coffee
Improved Flavor
Coffee beans start losing their flavor soon after grinding due to oxidation. When you grind your coffee just before brewing, the oils and compounds responsible for its taste are still intact, leading to a more robust, nuanced, and fresh flavor compared to pre-ground coffee. Freshly ground coffee releases a bouquet of fragrant compounds that contribute to a more immersive coffee experience, which fades quickly once the coffee is ground and exposed to air.
Better Control Over Brew Strength
Grinding coffee at home allows you to control the grind size based on your preferred brewing method (French press, espresso, drip, etc.). This precision helps you adjust the strength and flavor of your coffee, ensuring each cup is brewed to your personal preference.
Fresher Coffee Every Time
Pre-ground coffee quickly loses freshness, and even if stored properly, it cannot maintain the same quality as whole beans. Grinding coffee beans on demand ensures that each cup is brewed with fresh, full-flavored coffee that hasn’t been sitting in a package for an extended period.
More Consistent Results
When you grind your own beans, you can tailor the grind size to your specific brewing method, resulting in more consistent extraction and flavor. Pre-ground coffee might not be optimized for every brewing style, leading to inconsistent results.
Recognize over-extraction and under-extraction
Over-Extraction
Under-Extraction
Over-extraction occurs when coffee grounds are exposed to water for too long or the grind is too fine, causing the water to extract too many compounds from the coffee.
Characteristics of Over-Extracted Coffee:
Bitter Taste: Over-extracted coffee typically has a harsh, bitter taste due to the extraction of tannins and excessive coffee oils.
Dry or Astringent Finish: It often leaves a dry, puckering sensation in your mouth, similar to strong black tea.
Lack of Sweetness: The natural sweetness of the coffee is diminished, as over-extraction breaks down sugars too much.
Heavy Mouthfeel: The coffee may feel overly thick and heavy on the palate.
Common Causes of Over-Extraction:
Grind size too fine for the brewing method.
Brewing time is too long.
Water temperature is too high (above 205°F or 96°C).
Under-extraction happens when coffee grounds don’t spend enough time in contact with water, or the grind is too coarse, resulting in an insufficient extraction of flavors.
Characteristics of Under-Extracted Coffee:
Sour or Sharp Taste: Under-extracted coffee often has a sour, acidic, or overly bright flavor due to incomplete extraction of acids.
Weak or Watery: It can taste flat, thin, or weak because the complex flavors haven’t been fully extracted.
Grassy or Metallic Notes: You may notice unpleasant grassy or metallic undertones in the coffee, indicating that it hasn’t brewed long enough.
Lack of Balance: The coffee lacks depth, sweetness, and complexity, with harsh or sharp flavors dominating the profile.
Common Causes of Under-Extraction:
Grind size too coarse for the brewing method.
Brewing time is too short.
Water temperature is too low (below 195°F or 90°C).
Why should you grind coffee beans at home?
Maximized Freshness and Flavor: Grinding coffee beans just before brewing preserves the natural oils and aromatic compounds, resulting in a fresher, more flavorful cup compared to pre-ground coffee.
Control Over Grind Size: Grinding at home allows you to adjust the grind size to match your brewing method, ensuring consistent extraction and a perfectly balanced cup of coffee.
Longer Shelf Life for Beans: Whole beans retain their freshness longer than pre-ground coffee, allowing you to enjoy fresher coffee for an extended period by grinding only what you need.