Coffee beans vs. ground coffee: Which is better?

Coffee is a must-have drink for many people in the morning, and coffee beans and coffee powder are two common forms of making coffee. So, between coffee beans and coffee powder, which one is better? Let's explore.

First, let's look at coffee beans. As the most primitive form, they are generally considered to provide a better taste and aroma. Because the oils and natural ingredients are retained intact during the grinding process, they are undoubtedly a better choice in terms of freshness, flavor and quality. In addition, they also have advantages in terms of storage: they can be kept for a longer time in a dry, cool place after unopening the package.

However, there are some inconveniences in using coffee beans. The first is that you need to grind them yourself, which may add some preparation time in your busy life; the second is that the price is relatively high compared to ready-made coffee powder; and the last is that professional equipment is required to process it into a suitable brewing method.

In contrast, using ready-made coffee powder is more convenient and quicker. They have been ground into fine powder suitable for brewing, and no additional preparation is required. Just pour it into the coffee machine or hand brewer. In addition, there are a variety of different flavors and brands of coffee powder available on the market, meeting consumers' demand for diversity.

However, coffee powder also has some disadvantages. The first is the freshness issue: once the package is opened, it will oxidize and lose its aroma due to exposure to air; the second is the quality control issue: there may be differences between different brands and production batches; and the last is the short shelf life, which makes it easy to deteriorate when stored for a long time.

To sum up, there is no clear winner between coffee beans and coffee powder. Choosing which form to use mainly depends on personal preference, time schedule, and budget considerations. If you pursue the purest taste and aroma, and are willing to spend some extra time and money on preparation, then coffee beans may be more suitable for you; if you value convenience and variety, and don't mind some quality differences, then coffee powder may be more suitable for you.