When it comes to brewing great coffee, most people focus on the beans, but one of the biggest factors influencing what's in your cup is often overlooked: the grind size.
The way your coffee is ground determines how quickly water passes through it and, ultimately, how much flavour is extracted during brewing.
If your coffee is ground too fine, the water struggles to pass through, extracting too much from the coffee. The result is a cup that tastes bitter, dry and over-extracted.
If it's ground too coarse, the water flows through too quickly, leaving behind many of the coffee's desirable flavours. You'll end up with a brew that's weak, sour, and lacking depth.
The goal is balance.
Using the correct grind size for your chosen brewing method allows for even extraction, bringing out the coffee's natural sweetness, vibrant acidity and smooth finish. When everything is in harmony, each cup tastes exactly as the roaster intended.
Whether you're brewing with a French press, pour-over, filter machine, AeroPress or espresso machine, choosing the right grind makes all the difference. If you grind your own beans at home, take a little time to adjust your grinder to suit your brewing method. If you buy pre-ground coffee, be sure to select the grind that's specifically prepared for how you brew.
Because the truth is simple:
Ground coffee isn't just ground coffee.
