Pour-over coffee bean grind size: the key to a perfect balance

Pour-over coffee bean grind size: the key to a perfect balance

Hand-poured coffee is a delicate production method, and one of the most important steps is grinding the coffee beans. The right grinding degree can bring better taste and flavor, and perfect balance is the key to achieving this goal. This article will explore the impact of hand-poured coffee bean grinding degree on taste and flavor from different angles.

1. Understand different thicknesses

Before we start discussing, we need to understand the effects of different coarseness on hand-brewed coffee. Coarser beans can provide a slower and more even extraction rate, resulting in a light and soft taste; while finer beans will speed up the extraction rate and produce a rich, full and thick taste.

Therefore, when choosing the appropriate coarseness, you need to adjust it according to personal preference and the equipment used. Generally speaking, medium-fine or medium-coarse can achieve a relatively balanced taste.

2. Influencing factors: coffee bean variety

Different coffee bean varieties have different requirements for grinding. Generally speaking, coffee with higher acidity and lighter taste is suitable for coarser grinding to reduce bitterness and richness; while coffee with lower acidity and stronger taste requires delicate and even extraction, so the grinding degree needs to be adjusted more carefully.

Additionally, specific varieties from a single region or farm may be more sensitive to a certain coarseness. Pay attention to where your beans were grown and how they were processed when selecting them, and adjust accordingly.

3. Influencing factors: water quality and temperature

Water quality and temperature also affect the dissolution rate of various ingredients in hand-brewed coffee. Hard water (containing a lot of calcium and magnesium ions) will slow down the extraction rate and may increase bitterness; while soft water will have the opposite effect. At the same time, too high or too low a temperature will affect the final result.

Therefore, when adjusting the grinding degree, it is necessary to make corresponding adjustments according to the water quality and temperature used. Generally speaking, a finer grinding degree can be appropriately selected for harder water, while a slightly coarser grinding degree can be selected for softer water.

4. Influencing factors: brewing time and method

Different brewing times and methods will also affect the grind size of hand-brewed coffee beans. Longer brewing times will make the beans more fully extracted and have a richer flavor, while shorter brewing times will have the opposite effect.

Choosing the right coarseness depends on your preferred taste and the specific brewing method you are using. For example, if you are using the drip method, you will usually want a slightly finer one, whereas if you are using the pot pouring method, you can go a little coarser.

5. Tips for grinding coffee beans

Finally, let's discuss how to grind coffee beans manually correctly. First, make sure the utensils are clean and put the coffee beans into a suitable size, high-quality manual or electric coffee machine.

Secondly, pay attention to the grinding time and speed. Too long a grinding time will cause excessive friction on the beans, thus generating static electricity and affecting the taste; while too fast a speed may result in uneven powder size.

Finally, make adjustments based on the factors mentioned above. You can choose a medium-fine or medium-coarse starting value and find the grind size that best suits your taste and equipment through experimentation and adjustment.

in conclusion

The grind size of hand-poured coffee beans is one of the keys to achieving the perfect balance of taste and flavor. By understanding the different coarseness, considering factors such as coffee bean variety, water quality and temperature, and brewing time and method, and grinding the coffee beans correctly by hand, we can get a better taste and flavor of hand-poured coffee experience.