Coffee bean grinding encyclopedia: from purchasing to brewing, a one-stop guide

Buy coffee beans

Choosing coffee beans is the first step to brewing a delicious cup of coffee. There are several key factors to consider when choosing coffee beans.

First, consider the type of flavor you like. Coffee beans from different regions and varieties have different flavor characteristics, such as acidity, bitterness, sweetness, and aroma. If you like a fresh and sour taste, you can choose beans with high brightness and citrus or berry flavors from places such as Kenya or Ethiopia; if you prefer a rich flavor with chocolate or nuts, you can choose dark roasted beans from places such as Brazil or Colombia.

Secondly, consider the degree of roasting of the coffee beans. The degree of roasting will directly affect the taste and aroma intensity of the coffee. Common roasting degrees include light roasting, medium roasting and dark roasting. Light roasting usually retains more of the original flavor of the coffee beans, while dark roasting will bring a richer caramel and bitter taste.

Finally, consider the freshness of the coffee beans. Freshness is crucial to the taste of coffee. Choose coffee beans with a production date or roasting date marked on the package, and try to avoid buying products that have expired or have been stored on the shelf for a long time.

Grinding coffee beans

Grinding whole coffee beans to the right coarseness is one of the key steps in brewing a delicious cup of coffee.

First, you need to choose the right coarseness according to the brewing method. Different brewing methods require different coarseness of coffee powder to extract the best taste. For example, French press is suitable for coarser particle size; pour over requires medium particle size; and espresso requires finer and more uniform grinding.

Secondly, when grinding manually at home, you can choose to use a manual grinder or an electric grinder. A manual grinder can adjust the coarseness according to personal preference, but it takes a certain amount of time and physical strength; while an electric grinder is more convenient and quick, but it may be affected by factors such as machine quality and noise.

Finally, before grinding the coffee beans, it is recommended to use them as needed. Keeping the coffee beans fresh is the key to ensuring the taste. Storing whole coffee beans in a sealed container and grinding them on site before brewing can ensure that every cup can enjoy the best taste.

Brewing coffee

Choosing the right brewing method is determined by personal preference and the equipment you have.

Common brewing methods include French press, hand pour, drip, espresso, etc. Each method has its own characteristics and advantages.

When using a French press, first put an appropriate amount of finely ground coffee powder into the pot, and add an appropriate amount of boiling water and stir evenly; then place the filter and gently press the piston to allow the coffee to fully contact with the water; finally, wait a few minutes, slowly press the piston down, and you can enjoy the rich coffee.

For hand brewing, you need to put the filter paper into the funnel and pre-wet the filter paper with hot water; then put an appropriate amount of medium-sized coffee powder into the filter paper and slowly pour in an appropriate amount of boiling water for brewing. The speed and strength of water injection can be adjusted according to personal taste.

When using a drip machine, you only need to put coffee powder of appropriate coarseness into the filter and use the machine to automatically control the water injection speed and temperature to complete the brewing process.

For espresso, you need to use a professional espresso machine. First, fill the filter basket with fine and evenly ground coffee powder, and use a certain amount of pressure to extract a certain amount of high-concentration espresso with a delicate cream layer from the machine.

Summarize

From buying to brewing a cup of delicious coffee, buying coffee beans, grinding coffee beans and brewing coffee are three key steps. By choosing coffee beans that suit your taste, mastering the grinding method of the right coarseness and fineness, and choosing the right brewing method according to your personal preferences, every cup can become a moment of enjoyment and relaxation.

I hope this article is helpful to you and I wish you can brew a delicious and fragrant cup of coffee!