The basics of grinding coffee beans: Learn all about the important things to know about grinding coffee beans

The basics of grinding coffee beans

Coffee is one of the most popular beverages in the world, and grinding coffee beans is a key step in making delicious coffee. In this article, we will learn all the important facts about grinding coffee beans.

Why do you need to grind coffee beans?

First, let's understand why you need to grind whole coffee beans. In fact, freshness and uniformity are one of the key factors that determine a good cup of coffee. When you buy whole, unprocessed coffee beans, they retain the most complete and fresh flavor. However, these flavors can only be released after they are ground into powder.

Secondly, using different coarseness of powder during the brewing process can control the infusion time and extraction amount. Finer powder (such as concentrate) can be used for longer infusion time, more water contact, and more aroma and taste extraction; while coarser powder (such as brewing) can be used for shorter infusion time, less water contact, and less aroma and taste extraction.

Choosing the right coffee grinder

Before grinding coffee beans, you need to choose a suitable coffee bean grinder. There are two types of coffee bean grinders on the market: manual and electric. Manual grinders are more economical, but require a certain amount of strength and patience to complete the work; while electric grinders are more convenient and quick, but the price is relatively high.

Whichever type you choose, make sure you get one that has an adjustable powder coarseness feature. This allows you to adjust the powder particle size for different brewing methods (drip, French press, etc.).

Getting the coffee bean to water ratio right

In addition to choosing the right coffee grinder, the correct ratio of coffee beans to water is also one of the factors that must be considered to make a delicious cup. It is usually recommended to use a ratio of 1:15 to 1:18 (i.e. 1 gram of coffee: 15 to 18 ml of water).

However, this ratio can also be fine-tuned according to personal taste and the type of coffee beans. If you like a stronger coffee, you can increase the amount of coffee beans or reduce the amount of water; on the contrary, if you like a lighter coffee, you can reduce the amount of coffee beans or increase the amount of water.

Maintaining temperature and humidity during grinding

During the grinding process, it is important to maintain the appropriate temperature and humidity. High temperatures can damage the powder and cause flavor loss, while high humidity can easily cause the powder to clump and be difficult to distribute evenly.

Therefore, when choosing a machine to use, make sure it does not generate too much friction and heat, and avoid exposing the powder to moisture when storing it. It is best to store it in a dry, cool place and use it as soon as possible to ensure fresh flavor.

Summarize

Through this article, we learned that grinding is one of the skills that must be mastered to make a delicious cup. Choosing the right coffee bean grinder, mastering the correct ratio of coffee beans to water, and maintaining the right temperature and humidity are all key factors in making delicious coffee.

Hopefully, these basic tips will help you grind your coffee beans better and create a satisfying cup!