Coffee Grind Chart
January 09, 2022 | Kurt Parker
The coffee grind chart is a quick reference tool that shows which grind size should be used to make a certain cup of coffee.
Although you could theoretically grind beans in any way to brew any cup of coffee. This will not provide the intended results.
You’ll learn why the size of the grind is an important factor and how to choose the right one for your next brewing adventure in this tutorial. We recommend the coffee grind chart to anybody interested in learning more. About why grinding is important.
Here is a coffee grind chart for your preference.
In this chart, we have 5 different grind sizes with various uses.
A. Extra Fine
B. Fine grind
C. Medium
E. Coarse Grind
When grinding and brewing your own cup of coffee at home. Whether you use a good inexpensive coffee grinder or other alternatives, Learning about the ideal grind size a given coffee beverage is incredibly important.
Yet, just following the coffee grind size chart may not always provide you with the results you want.
The type of grinder you use. Whether manual or automated, can have an influence on the quality of your coffee grind.
Also there are ways to grind the coffee beans with no grinder. Here is our guide.
Grind Sizes
We’ll show you a detailed description of each grind size below. So keep on reading.
Extra Fine
Extra Fine grind is mostly used for Ibrik, also known as Turkish coffee that it why it is called Turkish grind.
The texture is almost similar to a fine powdered sugar or flour.
It needs a specialized grinder to achieve this grind size but the result is worth it – very aromatic, sharp and strong flavor.
Uses for Extra fine ground coffee include:
- Turkish coffee
Fine
This smooth powder fine has a finer crush than table salt. Because it packs together effectively. A fine grind is ideal for espresso machines so it’s called coffee that is finely ground .
A fine coffee grind is known to be a grind size in coffee bags and places that offer espresso drinks. The consistency and compactness of this grind will similarly be like table salt. The texture and the way it looks must resemble sugar and its consistency.
You can opt for this type of grind size for your next coffee brew procedure. This is when the coffee particles become in touch with the water for a limited period of time. Otherwise, the final product will be over-extracted.
Uses for fine ground coffee include:
- For espresso coffee machines
Rate of Extraction:
- Fast
Fine grinding is the greatest grind consistency for espresso. Espresso machines use pressure to finely ground coffee, forcing water through it.
Medium
This coffee grind feels like sandy-textured on the hand. And it has become one of the most popular grinds and it’s ideal for drip coffee makers and aeropress machines. Pour-overs and siphon coffees benefit from this grind size.
We’ve entered the ‘zone of exploration. And a medium-fine grind is an excellent starting point for experimenting with various brewing methods.
Uses for Medium Ground Coffee:
- Brewers with Flat Bottom Filters for Drip Brewing
- Brewers that only serve one person
- Brewers for the Stovetop
Rate of Extraction:
- Moderate
For drip coffee, grind to a medium coarseness. This is your standard ‘dump in the basket’ grind size. Which will yield a cup of coffee that can only be described as ‘generic.’
Medium Coarse
With most pour-over brewers, such as a Chemex, this somewhat smoother. But still, quite big coffee grind is excellent. For drip coffee, grind to a medium coarseness. This is the traditional ‘dump in the basket’ grind size. Chemex coffees or smart drippers require this grind size. Medium-coarse grinds should resemble sand. And they require a two-minute extraction time to provide a balanced cup.
Uses for Medium-Coarse Ground Coffee:
- Brewers that use immersion brewing
- Brewers who brew in batches
Rate of Extraction:
- Slow
The consistency of medium-coarse ground coffee is similar to that of coarse sand. If you’re using medium-coarse ground coffee, sieve the beans gently until they’re totally soaked.
Coarse
Coarse grinds should have the consistency of chunky sea salt.. This grind size is appropriate for French Press brewing. And the optimal extraction usually requires a four-minute brew time.
This coarser coffee grind is ideal for use with brewing techniques that require immersion in water. Such as the French Press. The consistency of coarse ground coffee is similar to that of sea salt.
While coarse coffee grounds are not as difficult to extract as super coarse ground coffee. They will need longer brew periods. Because coarse coffee grinding leaves a significant portion of the bean intact. The flavor and fragrance of the beans is preserved.
Uses for coarse ground coffee include:
- Percolators
- Cupping/Tasting
Rate of Extraction:
- Extremely Slow
Coffee grinds that are coarse should resemble peppercorns. They’re wonderful for cold brews or toddy’s. And they’re ideal for submersion in water for long periods of time.
What are the benefits of grinding coffee beans at home?
Freshness reigns supreme when it comes to coffee taste. You’ll want your beans to be as fresh as possible, regardless of their roast. or place of origin, to get the most flavor out of them. This involves checking to see if they’ve been roasted and ground.
Why not buy a coffee that has been grounded?
If you ground coffee beans and make new coffee powder shortly before brewing. You may assure that your coffee is fresh. It’s important to remember that a coffee bean is an organic product whose flavor is changed by environmental factors. For various coffee brewing methods, different types of coffee grinds are required.
Because it’s a plant-based product rather than a created commodity. It can’t maintain consistent flavor and qualities over a lengthy period of time. By grinding your coffee, you can keep it fresh. You’ll need to grind your beans if your coffee is acidic or watery. When beans are roasted, CO2 is produced, which aids in the release of oils as well as the fermentation of the beans.
Explanation of Grind Size
When brewing coffee, the grind size has a significant influence on the flavor. If the grind size is too small, the coffee will be over-extracted, leaving a harsh flavor in your tongue. If the grind size is too coarse, however, your coffee will be under-extracted.
Resulting in a sour or salty cup of coffee devoid of sweetness. It’s critical to understand how grind size impacts the ultimate result of your coffee. if you want an even extraction. And a beautiful cup. Grinding is the process of breaking pieces of coffee so they become tiny to aid in coffee extraction. By increasing the exposed surface area for brewing. By increasing the exposed surface area for brewing.
This is the most common grind size for French press brewing. Keep in mind that there are also medium-coarse, extra-coarse, and fine-coarse grind sizes. Apart from the size of the grinds, each of these grinds requires. different extraction periods to produce different brews. Coarse grinds are on the opposite extreme of the grind spectrum from fine grinds. Separated by medium-size grinds on the coffee grind size chart.
Refer to the coffee grind chart if you’re not sure whether you need coarse ground coffee for your favorite beverage.
2 types of grinders for coffee beans
Blade
Blade coffee grinders are more like choppers than grinders. slicing your beans for an indefinite length of time by rotating a blade. The longer you chop, the finer your grind should be. Blade grinders, are infamous for their unreliability.
There’s no assurance that the coffee particles will be uniform in size. Because the blade cuts what it comes into contact with. Because of this discrepancy, the tiny particles will over-extract. While the bigger particles will under-extract, resulting in a poor cup. Though blade grinders are tiny and inexpensive. You should consider switching to a burr grinder if you want to get the most out of your beans.
Burr
Coffee beans are crushed by passing them between two revolving metal. Or ceramic burrs in a burr coffee grinder. Unlike a blade grinder, the sharpness of the grind is governed by the spacing between the burrs. Rather than the time spent grinding.
This results in a grind that is quite constant. Burr coffee grinders are divided into two types: flat burr and conical burr. Conical burr grinders feature one stationary ring. While a cone-shaped burr spins and crushes the beans into the stationary burr. Whereas flat burr grinders have two metal rings that move in opposing directions. Your favorite cafe’s grinder is almost a conical burr grinder.
Where does the ideal grind size come from?
First, the optimal coffee formula will always be determined by personal preferences. So will the coffee you’re brewing: various properties may be highlighted. Based on the origin, variety, processing technique, roast profile, and other factors. Because dark roasts are more soluble, you may want to use a little coarser grind.
Two aspects, yet, demand special attention.
The first is the brewing method. different brewing devices work well with varying grind sizes. For example, a coarse grind is usually used with a French press. The majority of pour overs (except for the Chemex) are best served with medium-fine grinds.
Fine and extra-fine grinds are recommended for espresso and Turkish coffee, . Some brewers, like as the AeroPress, are also suitable. Then there’s the matter of the coffee’s age. , you’ll always have fresh beans on hand, but as time passes after they’ve been roasted. you’ll want to alter the brew formula. This is due to the fact that the coffee’s tastes will disappear over time.
When making a batch of coffee, why does the grind matter?
Coffee extraction is a two-word phrase. To get the most taste out of your coffee, you need to use precise grind sizes. and brewing procedures while grinding and brewing. Between fine and medium. It’s all about sand grains. Use a decent quality grinder to ensure consistent grinds. To get the best results with different roasts, you’ll have to play about with the grind.
The ideal time for a machine drip is under 5 minutes. It takes roughly 3.5 minutes to pour over 20 gms of coffee with 300 ml of water. Coffee should be brewed. Buy tiny amounts of roasted beans and ground them right before using.
Is it true that coarser coffee grinds have a better and stronger taste than fine grinds?
Both yes and no. The flavor of the bean is determined by its type. (Arabica, Robusta), origin (Costa Rica, Kenya, Mexico, Hawaii, Vietnam). roasting time (light, medium, dark, espresso), and method of preparation.
We have all the best types of coffee beans here, check it out.
Percolator coffee machines use coarser grinds. whereas drip and espresso beverages use finer grinds. Furthermore, coffee is mixed from many distinct types according to the roaster’s preferences.
Will using a finer coffee grind make the coffee stronger?
People characterize coffee as having an acidic flavor, yet when discussing percolation. The thinness of the coffee grind acts as a median for filtration, in which the bean’s flavor is removed.
If the beans are fresh, using a French Press with coarser grain (you want a “3” setting) is adequate for good taste.
The idea is to allow enough time for the water to steep the beans. (Some people believe a French Press can be plunged immediately. And wonder why the coffee I made was always better; the problem is impatience.)
Rather than allowing the coffee to overflow and enter the carafe. Before getting enough time to steep the beans.
Instead of allowing the coffee to overflow and into the carafe. before draining through the middle. Some coffee makers will make a “stronger” setting function through slower percolation.
It’s a question of convenience, and most people won’t bother with the extended steeping time. Unless they have an automated coffee maker set for strong/slow brewing.
What Method Should I Use to Grind My Beans?
Only use very fine grinds if you’re making espresso using a high-end espresso machine. That doesn’t employ double basket portafilters. Or if you’re making Turkish coffee.
It’s all too simple to grind the bean too finely, causing too much back pressure. and making it impossible to filter through.
With the amount of suspended particles people want in their coffee, it’s a balancing act. Yes, it will strengthen it. But not necessarily in a positive light. Higher surface area of coffee in contact with hot water. provides more extraction with a finer grind.
However, this isn’t necessarily a good thing.
Too fine a grind might become harsh as the water washes and soaks up additional unwanted oils.
Because the water washes and soaks away more oils that you don’t want, a finer grind might become harsh.
The proper amount of coffee should come into touch with the right amount of water.
Your coffee-making equipment is set up to utilize a specific grind.
It depends on how hot it becomes, how long the water stays in touch with the ground. and how much pressure is exerted, if any. So, if you want a stronger cup of coffee, add more.
I recommend utilizing the machine’s recommended grind.
Why does the size of the grind matter?
When it comes to grind size, contact duration, extraction rate. and the rate of the flow are the three most crucial yardsticks to keep in mind.
To put it another way: With a higher surface area, the extraction rate of coffee grinds rises. The lower the contact time, the higher the extraction rate. The flow velocity of water can be reduced with a finer grind, extending the contact duration.
Knowing this, the grind should be finer if you choose a brew technique with a short contact time.
The contact time of an immersion brewer, which steeps coffee grinds. in water for several minute. Is substantially longer than in most other brew techniques, necessitating a coarser grind.
When it comes to coffee, how long does it last?
Whole coffee beans have a two-to-three-week shelf life before their quality. and taste deteriorate.
Pre-ground coffee, but, keeps its freshness for around 30 minutes.
Because coffee beans are the seeds of little cherries that grow on coffee plants. Think of them like any other plant product when it comes to freshness.
You wouldn’t chop pineapple and offer it to visitors three months later. So neither should you grind coffee and serve it to guests three months later.
What Causes Coffee to Taste Bitter?
Coffee becomes bitter when it is over-extracted.
Coffee grounds become over-extracted, lose their taste, and give bitter cups of coffee. When they are ground for their brewing technique, left to brew too long, or boiled in too hot of water.
Under-extracted coffee, has a sour, salty, and acidic flavor. It tastes wonderful with the right amount of extraction.
Over-extracted coffee, meanwhile, adds a strong kick of flavor to the coffee cup. Leaving you with a bitter or empty, disagreeable taste.
Final Words…
To get an equal extraction and a better-tasting cup of coffee, grind size is critical.
When boiling your next cup of coffee, take a close look at the ground coffee. To check if there is any broad particle dispersion. By attaining the ideal coffee bean extraction, you can make delicious cups of coffee. We offered a solution you need to turn bitter and sour coffee into delectable sips.
Just follow the tips for selecting the greatest grind, according on your preferred brewing technique.
However, in the end, your particular tastes will prevail.
Use these recommendations to fine-tune the fineness, or coarseness of your coffee grinds according to your preferences.
Obtain more clues on how to brew the best coffee by reading our blogs and reviews.