Why Does Your Coffee Grind Size Matters For Your Flavor?

Different sizes of coffee grind can result in different flavors, depending on what you need from your cup. Have you got the right coffee grind size? Find out here. 

There are many things to consider when making the perfect cup of coffee, but it can be argued that nothing is as important as grind size. With control over this variable, you can improve the taste of your coffee, ensure repeatability in results, experiment with recipes that go beyond what is usually tried and done.

In this blog post, we will explain everything you need to know about coffee grind size and its relationship with brewing that every pour tastes like it’s coming from an artisanal café!

Credit : Malhkonig UK @boutiqueviaggio

Why is Grind Size so Important? 

Choosing the correct grind size can be a challenging and frustrating task, but it is also what makes the difference. This is because the size of the grind in coffee determines how much resistance it offers to a liquid as they pass through, and the time that’s required for extraction depends on this factor. 

The finer or coarser the grind, the slower or faster water can pass through it – affecting brew time and extraction efficiency. 

Take sand and stone as example – sand has finer particles that are packed closer together, so when it comes into contact with water, there’s a greater contact area between the two and it takes a longer time for water molecules to flow through; whereas when stone and water meet, it is the total opposite. 

In short, different grinds of coffee will affect the time it takes water to go through it. If the grind is too coarse, the water will rush through without taking all of the important flavors with it. However, if the grind is too fine, the water will pick up flavors you don’t want.

How to Select the Correct Coffee Grind Size? 

Now you know why your coffee grind size matters, let’s tuck into some of the main types of grind size that exist for different types of coffee. 

  1. Coarse grind: French Press/ Cold Brew 

Coarse grounds should be the same consistency as chunky sea salt. This grind size is ideal for French Press and Cold Brew, and often needs about a four-minute brew time to get the perfect extraction. It’s because the coffee is either steeped in hot water for 3-4 minutes (French Press) or 12-24 hours (Cold Brew) before plunging, so it has more room to extract all its natural flavours without being too diluted with over filtered water. Too coarse or too fine a grind may result in an overly sour/ bitter coffee.  

2. Medium grind:  V60/ clever dripper/ Kalita (pour over)
Medium grind size should be similar to the consistency of regular sand, and it’s usually used for pour over coffee. You can choose to adjust it to a finer or coarser grind depending on your personal preference and brewing technique. The medium grind size is usually recommended due to its versatility – as the brewing method can be controlled over depending on brewing temperatures and choosing how long to let it flowing through before pouring out to enjoy. The finer the grind, the water will take a longer time to flow through and drip.

3. Fine grind: Espresso/ Moka Pot 

The most common grind size that you will find. When you buy your everyday pre-ground coffee, it’s usually a fine grind size. In terms of consistency, it’s slightly finer than table salt. Both the  Espresso and Moka pot brewing methods are designed to create an intense flavor and strong body of coffee. Thus, fine grinded grounds can create enough resistance when you extract your coffee using high water pressure.

Conclusion

You’ve mastered the art of grinding coffee beans, and you know that the pursuit of high-quality coffee now starts with the grind. It is what separates a good cup from an excellent one, and so it deserves nothing less than your full attention. Generally, to determine the taste and flavor profile of your coffee, you can follow this: 

“If your brew tastes too sour, you might want to grind it finer, so the water has less time in contact with all those coarse grounds. The same can be said for if your coffee is way too bitter – go coarser!”

Whether you’re a fan of drip coffee, cold brew, or espresso, hopefully this article can guide you to make excellent fragrant coffee during your work-from-home days. At Millilitre, we believe that great coffee begins with the right grind. With our bespoke grinding service, you can easily achieve your best-tasting cup of coffee at home without having to buy an expensive grinder! Whichever brewing method you desire, we can tailor the grind size to your preference and will ensure it is ground precisely so no delicious flavors are lost in translation. And don’t worry about looking good on your countertop – all you need to do is just make your selection and leave everything else to us!

In our next story, we will be exploring the flavor profile of Espresso and the secrets to grinding the right sizes for your familiar black and white coffee drinks.