The Only Morning Grind that Matters: Coffee Grinders
The sun is shining. The birds are chirping, and your morning cup of Joe is hot and fresh. Or is it? If you brewed this morning's cup with pre-ground beans, we hate to inform you it's hot—but not fresh. That's becausecoffee goes through the same oxidation process as apples and bananas. Once oxygen interacts with grounds, essential components begin to deteriorate. The organic molecules that give our java its texture and freshness break down. Then the aromatic oils that give our taste buds that delicious flavor, evaporate. There aren't only hints of chocolate or nuts. Flavors can range from blueberries to brown sugar, with aromas like floral or citrus. So how do you get the most out of your cup of joe and lock in freshness? You make the switch from pre-ground beans to ground right before brew using one of our coffee grinders. This simple step will make a drastic difference in taste. Whole beans maintain peak freshness for up to 2 weeks, much longer than ground which is only fresh for about 30 minutes. Keeping the beans whole until time to brew locks in freshness, flavor, and taste, everything you’re looking for from your morning cup.
Burrs, Blades, and Beans—Oh My
You’ll find two styles of coffee grinders: blade and burr. Blade style grinders use blades to chop beans up to size. The only downside to using the blade is they tend to heat quicker than the burr option. If you find it becoming too hot, you run the risk of burning your beans. To avoid this, we recommend you keep it at a low speed setting. Then you have the burr style. They come in two styles: conical and traditional style. The only difference between these coffee grinders is how they grind. Conical is made up of two cone-shaped rings with serrated edges. Traditional is 2 rings horizontal or parallel to the ground. They both pulverize by staying still while the other moves around. Both are great options and produce consistent results every time. How do you know which size bean is right? That answer all depends on your preferred brewing method. If you're someone who fancies homemade cold brew, we recommend extra coarse. Once you’ve reached the shape and size of peppercorns, you know you've got the right consistency. If the French press method is your go-to, then we recommend coarse. The final product will look in size similar to chunkier sea salt. Medium coarse is for you if the convenient coffee maker method is your style. Medium-fine is for you if you enjoy and use the pour-over method. Your fine beans are for espresso and superfine are for Turkish-style brew. Remember that consistency is of the utmost importance to get the most out of your cup. Too coarse and you risk under extraction that leaves your mouth with a sour, acidic, and salty taste. Too fine and, you can over-extract and find yourself with a bitter and hollow-tasting cup of joe. If you’d like more information to ensure you’re choosing the best coffee grinder for you, check out our coffee grinder buying guide for more information and become an expert before you buy!
