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Question: Grinding my own coffee beans?

(Posted by: on 2010-02-23 18:38:19)

Ok self grinders..... do you grind untill its a powdery texture or do you leave it a bit more chunky? ive tried both ways many times and I cant really detect any differenc... more or less I got powdery thinking it will get more of the flavor out... any ideas? ok well like I said ive been grinding them fine, I buy the fresh sealed bags of beans Ive been able to tell when I get stale coffe and it goes into the trash quickly. Now I do have a blade grinder was is another type? Also ive tried the metal filters and the coffee dosnt seem to have the richness of flavor as with a single paper filter? I just have a regular drip coffee maker nothing to fancy... it does have an expresso maker as well, but its hardly used. What exactly is the "french press " you speak of?

Posted by: B on 2010-02-23, 18:46:05

It depends on how you are brewing your coffee. If you are using a drip method coffee machine with a metal filter then you would use a finer ground, however I never grind it into a fine powder. If you are using a French Press en.wikipedia.org/ wiki/ French_press and steeping the grounds for 3-5 minutes then you should use a coarser ground, like grains of sand or even larger.

Posted by: pen on 2010-02-23, 18:46:56

The finer the grind the stronger the coffee.

Posted by: singletrack65 on 2010-02-23, 19:10:40

Blade 'grinders' aren't good for coffee for several reasons: First of all the don't grind they pulverize, leaving some big chunks (that will under extract and be weak on flavor) and powder that will over extract (and make it bitter). The blades also create a lot of heat through friction and can burn the coffee. Burr grinders are much better. Espresso needs a super fine grind (usually only capable with high-end grinders) Moka pot needs fine Drip needs a medium grind French press needs a coarse grind Proper grind size for the method is important. Another problem could be stale beans. If you get them out of those clear dispensers at the grocery store, odds are they're stale. To test, take a handful and put them into an air tight bag, squeeze out all the air and tie the bag to make a small space with the beans. Fresh coffee releases CO2 for several days (hence the valve in the fresh bags). If your coffee is fresh it will slightly inflate the bag with CO2. Stale coffee has lost all it's rich flavor.

Posted by: jedimonkey on 2010-02-24, 04:07:07

You ask: 'What exactly is the "french press " you speak of' Another name for it is cafetiere. See some here: nextdaycoffee.co.uk/ Cafetieres-Decanters.html I use a cafetiere at home and as SingleTrack says - they need a courser grind. I bought some espresso grind yesterday and it is way too fine. I also have a blade grinder for beans, but as singletrack says (again), the grind is inconsistent leaving chunky bits. I have found the results a little crappy :) Im going to get hold of a burr grinder soon.

Posted by: Make this Harry Reid's Last on 2010-02-24, 10:27:28

From the description you are presenting you are not grinding coffee beans, you are beating them with one of those whirly blade machines. With that said, if you continue using that device it doesn't matter how long you 'grind it' it's going to come out as a big piece/ little piece mixture anyway. I suggest that if you want to REALLY grind your beans so as to be able to taste a difference in the grind texture get at least a BARATZA MAESTRO grinder. Next, toss the coffee maker and do a simple 'pour over' brew. Those coffee makers usually don't get the water hot enough to do the job right. (200 degrees) So, place your filter (paper or wire) over a good receptacle for hot water, place your grinds in the filter and pour over just off the boil water. the grind should be such that it allows the water to seep through the grinds in about a minute and a half to two minutes. When it has drained from your filter it will have a great flavor, even if you do have to use the blade, the flavor will be better. Oh, and use at least 7 grams of grounds per 6 ounces of water....