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A great cup of coffee has a lot to do with the grounds that you choose to use. Pre ground or freshly ground? Burr grinder or blade grinder? Comical blurr or flat blurr? Below we will help you tell the differences between each and what’s best for what your desired outcome is.
There’s much difference between pre ground coffee beans and freshly ground. Freshly grounded coffee beans allow a large amount of flavor to be extracted from the bean because it is a fresh ground. Pre grounded beans don’t allow the same saturation of flavor to be pulled from the grounds.
Factor 1: Type of Grinder
The first factor is the different types of grinders. A burr grinder and blade grinder produces two different types of grounds and these produce different outcomes in your coffee. Knowing the differences between the two will help you to ensure you’re purchasing the right grinder for the job it is that you desire to get.
The burr grinder has a stationary burr and one that rotates on top of it. This helps to create a more precise and even grind on the coffee beans. This also produces different flavors from the grounds.
With the burr grinder you can also decide what material your burr is made out of in your grinder. Ceramic is the most durable however is also the most expensive. You can use stone or something similar however you have a chance it may crack. Steel is a cheaper option compared to ceramic however it needs to be sharpened more often.
The blade grinder has different blades that slice the coffee beans. This produces both finely grated and largely grated grounds together. If there are both large and small grounds then the coffee will be extracted differently from each because of particle distribution. This in turn creates an inconsistent flavor.
Choosing between one or the other can come down to price or even storage space. Burr grinders are typically more wanted because of the particular distribution it produces. Another factor can be the settings available on the grinder.
Settings on grinders can often allow you to change the determination of how finely you want to grind the coffee beans. Some make not grind it fair enough for espresso and others may not grind it large enough for a French press.
Factor 2: Which Type of Coffee Are You Preparing?
Knowing how finely you need to ground your coffee beans is determined by what you’re trying to make. Extra coarse grounds are for cold brew and percolator. Coarse grounds are for French presses. Coarse to medium grounds are for chemex and clever drippers. Medium grounds are for pour over and drips. Medium to fine grounds are for aeropress and V60. Fine grounds are for espresso. Knowing which method you plan to use to make your coffee will help determine how finely you need your grounds and which type of grinder is best for your needs.
Factor 3: What Type of Burr?
Another decision is what type of burr, conical or flat? Many seem to think that they bring out different flavors in the outcome of the coffee. However, that isn’t necessarily proven. They may function differently though. If you’re able to try out both you can then decide which one you prefer. However it’s not recommended you get stuck on that decision.
Get Grinding
Due to the size of the grind and the technique used on the grounds, attention to these details is essential. To find the best grinders on the market that will be the best for you, read more here. Knowing which process you’re planning to use and what outcome you wish to achieve will be the deciding factors for which type of grinder you decide on.
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