Grind Size | The Secret to Brewing Better Coffee

Do you love making coffee at home, but for some reason just can’t get the same quality you get at your local coffee shop? Don’t fret! One issue you might be running into is the grind size of your coffee. Different brewing methods call for different grind sizes, whether you’re brewing on Aeropress, Chemex, or even just an automatic drip coffee maker. The wrong grind size can greatly affect your end product, so getting it right is key to a great cup of coffee!

If your grind size is off, your whole cup of coffee can be off. If you’re grinding too coarse, you’ll be left with an under-extracted, flat cup. If your grind is too fine, you’ll end up with a bitter, over-extracted cup of coffee. Grinding your coffee correctly is the key to a great cup.

Tips

1. If you’re brewing with a pourover method (V60, Chemex, Kalita, etc.) and your coffee is brewing too quick, your grind is likely too coarse. Try using a finer grind until you get the desired brewing time.
2. On the other hand, if your pourover seems to be getting stopped up or is simply taking too much time, try using a coarser grind.
3. When purchasing a grinder for your home, choose a burr grinder. Burr grinders offer a more consistent grind size and more control over your grind as well. We use a Vario-W in our shop, and we absolutely love it. Blade grinders are a much cheaper option, but these types of grinders offer little to no control of your grind size, plus they tend to pulverize the beans.

Our Recommended Grinders

1. Hario Hand Grinder - Not only is the grinder really freaking cool, it is cheaper than electric grinders, and offers a fairly decent consistency in grind size. This is the perfect gift for a coffee enthusiast.
2. Baratza Encore - This is one of the best entry level burr grinders out there. We’ve got baristas that use this at home, and absolutely love it. The Baratza encore offers over 40 different grind settings, allowing you to tap into your inner coffee nerd. This grinder typically costs anywhere from $110-$150 depending on where you find it.
3. Baratza Vario-W - This grinder is a huge step up from the previous two. We use the Vario-W in our shop because of its amazing consistency and its built in scale. Compared to the previous grinders it will have upgraded burrs and much more control over your grind size. If you’re really looking to up your grinder game, this is the direction to go. These grinders are typically $500+, but are really great products.