Why You Need a Coffee Grinder
Grind size is the game-changer in brewing. It decides how fast (or slow) water pulls flavour from your coffee, which directly shapes the taste in your cup. Too fine and you’ll get bitterness, too coarse and it’ll taste flat. Dialling in the right grind for your brewing method is how you hit that sweet spot—balancing sweetness, acidity, and body for a perfectly rounded brew.
How Coffee Grinders Work
A coffee grinder grinds whole coffee beans into the desired fineness or coarseness using either a blade or burr mechanism. A blade grinder features rotating blades that chop coffee beans into grounds, whereas a burr grinder uses two revolving abrasive surfaces.
How Grinding Coffee Affects Flavour
Grinding coffee beans unlocks whole new flavours. This is down to how the water flows through the grinds. It can make all the difference to the boldness, balance, and bitterness of the cup.
If the grinds are too fine, the water will over-extract and pull out the harshness in the flavour. If they’re too coarse, it’ll under-extract and you’ll be left with watery, dull coffee. You need to hit the sweet spot for your brew method where sweetness, acidity, and body all shine through in perfect harmony.
Manual vs Electric Coffee Grinders
When it comes to manual and electric grinders, both have their place. It just comes down to preference and convenience.
Manual Grinders
Manual grinders are compact, portable, and generally quiet. They’re great for travelling or anyone who enjoys the ritual of hands-on grinding. They give you precision and control, but they require some elbow grease.
Electric Grinders
They’re fast, consistent, and easy to use – ideal for daily use! They’re especially handy if you’re making multiple cups.
If you’re all about the ritual and don’t mind working for your morning cup of coffee, go manual. However, if speed and convenience are your thing, electric is the way to go.
Choosing the Best Coffee Grinder
Electric Coffee Grinder
Electric coffee grinders are perfect for fast, consistent grinds at the push of a button. They’re ideal for people who have busy mornings or who tend to brew more than one cup at a time.
Manual Coffee Grinder
Compact, portable, and quiet – great for anyone who loves the ritual of coffee making. They’re also ideal for travelling, so if you want to make sure you always have the best ground coffee while you’re away, this might be your go-to option.
Espresso Coffee Grinder
Espresso coffee grinders offer ultra-fine grounds that give you the control to create the perfect espresso shot with rich crema and balanced flavour.
All-Purpose Coffee Grinder
A super versatile machine, the all-purpose grinder can perfectly grind coffee beans for every brewing style, from French press to espresso. Perfect for those who enjoy a range of different coffees but don’t want to buy multiple tools.
Filter Coffee Grinder
Created for the perfect medium grind, filter coffee grinders are perfect for pour-over, drip, or AeroPress. They produce a clean, balanced extraction that brings out the delicate notes in your coffee.
Selecting the Correct Coffee Beans for Your Coffee Grinder
Yes, your coffee grinder is an important step in brewing, but the beans you choose to grind are just as important. Here’s what to keep in mind:
Freshness first – always go for freshly roasted beans. The longer the time from when they were roasted, the less aroma and complexity they have. That means no matter how perfectly you grind them, they’ll never compare to fresh beans.
Roast profile – there are different types of roasts – lighter roasts, which are great for filter brewing like pour-over or AeroPress, and dark roasts, which are suited to espressos and milk-based drinks. Choosing the perfect roast profile depends on your preferred brewing type.
Experiment – coffee isn’t a one-size-fits-all thing. Try out different beans and roast profiles, adjust your grind, and see what makes your cup tickle your taste buds.
Choosing Coffee Merch for Your Coffee Grinders
At Coffee Merch, we offer handpicked grinders chosen for their quality and durability. As a team of coffee lovers, every grinder is tested for consistency and ease-of-use, and we don’t stock anything we wouldn’t happily use ourselves.
We don’t just sell grinders, we help you master them. Our team has the tips you need to master the perfect grind size, right up to brewing methods. We’ve got your back.
Join our growing community of people who take their morning coffee seriously.
