| How fine or coarse should the coffee beans be | | | | The type of grind will depend on the brewing method |
| ground before brewing? No single technique is right | | | | you will use. For example, |
| for everyone. Your needs and personal preferences | | | | - Grind the beans at a coarse setting for brewing |
| will determine how you choose to brew your coffee. | | | | with a coffee press ("French press"). |
| In turn, this will help you decide how fine or coarse | | | | - Use the finest setting for Espresso brewing. |
| your grinding should be. | | | | - Automatic drip, the most common brewing method, |
| For this reason, questions such as the following will | | | | uses a grind level a little finer than medium. |
| be important: | | | | - The percolator brewing method works better with |
| - Are you preparing coffee for breakfast or for after | | | | a grind level of medium or a little coarser. |
| dinner? | | | | - The vacuum brewing method uses a grind level |
| - Do you want a hearty wake-me-up type of coffee | | | | about the same as automatic drip. |
| early in the morning or a dessert espresso coffee to | | | | - The finer the coffee grind level, the greater the |
| savor during a special friends' get together? | | | | surface area for brewing. |
| Always grind your beans as close to the brew time | | | | - Generally, the more quickly the coffee brews, |
| as possible for extra freshness and best taste. The | | | | meaning the less time the water is in contact with |
| size of the grind is very important to the taste of | | | | the ground coffee, the finer the coffee should be |
| the coffee. If coffee is over extracted or ground | | | | ground. |
| too fine, it can taste bitter. On the other hand, if it is | | | | - Some drip coffee makers brew better coffee with |
| under extracted or ground too coarse, the coffee | | | | a finer grind level. |
| can taste flat. If you grind your coffee at home, a | | | | - Try a finer setting if the coffee is too weak for |
| burr or mill grinder will grind coffee to a consistent | | | | your preference and you used the correct amount |
| size. A blade grinder can grind some coffee beans | | | | of coffee for the amount of water measured. |
| more finely than others. | | | | Never re-use coffee grounds. This is because the |
| Before grinding the coffee, try rubbing a couple of | | | | desirable coffee flavors have already been extracted |
| beans between your fingers to get the "feel" for the | | | | and the leftover grounds add only bitter and |
| bean sizes. Take a minute or two to smell the beans. | | | | undesirable tastes. |
| Visualize the coffee plantations where they come | | | | So, are you now ready to enjoy a cup of specialty |
| from and prepare to enjoy your coffee experience | | | | coffee? |
| to the fullest. | | | | |
