How to Grind Coffee Beans for Every Type of Brew

There was a coffee shop I frequented in college that roasted their beans fresh in-house. (By frequented, I mean I visited five or six days a week.) I often sat in the back while the baristas roasted the beans because I loved the slightly bitter smell. I learned a lot at this coffee shop, from how they roasted and flavored the beans to the art of making different types of coffee. Most importantly, I learned why it’s better to buy whole beans and grind them at home.

Today, I still order coffee from this shop to savor the taste of the place that got me through my studies. I order whole-bean coffee to retain freshness and use my electric grinder every day. After spending roughly $15 a week (for five years) on my daily cup of joe and an occasional biscotti, making my own coffee is cheap!

But no one needs to do the math on happiness, right? Because once you learn how to grind coffee beans at home, you’ll always have a cup that tastes like it was freshly brewed by a barista.

Why the Right Coffee Grind Matters

Getting the right coffee grind is the difference between a mediocre cup of coffee and a really great one. Store-bought coffee is typically ground specifically for drip coffee makers. If you tried using those ground beans to make pour-over coffee or espresso, you’d probably end up with a watered-down, flat-tasting brew.

Looking into the best coffee grinders is the first step for an aspiring at-home barista. These machines allow you to grind beans to whatever texture you need based on your preferred coffee-brewing method.

Burr Coffee Grinders vs. Blade Grinders

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There are two main types of coffee grinders: blade grinders and burr grinders. Sometimes referred to as burr mills, burr grinders use two rough pieces of metal called “burrs” to crush the beans. They’re typically more expensive, but they’re also more durable and offer a more consistent grind.

Blade grinders use two blades that rotate like plane propellers to grind the beans. They are a great space-saver if you have a small kitchen. They’re also easier on the wallet and grind beans faster.

How to Grind Beans Without a Grinder

Manual coffee grinders are really handy when you’re traveling, and they’re a space-saving option if you have limited counter space at home. But they’re not the only way to grind coffee beans without a grinder!

You can get creative and pulse your beans in a food processor, or put them in a resealable plastic bag and hammer them with a rolling pin. You can also use a mortar and pestle if you have one. You’ll need a little patience to get your desired grind consistency, but you gotta do what you gotta do for your morning coffee.

Types of Coffee Grinds

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Based on the brewing method, you may want coarser or finer coffee grounds. Here’s the scoop on what grind you’ll need for each type of coffee machine.

How to grind coffee for drip coffee

The best grind for a drip coffee maker is medium. The grounds should look like a mix of sand and sea salt. Using coarser grounds could result in under-extracted coffee, meaning the water went through the beans too quickly and didn’t have time to pull out all the flavor.

How to grind coffee for a French press

We like to use a coarse grind when making French press coffee. This manual coffee-making process starts with steeping coffee beans and water for four minutes, then plunging the grounds to filter them from the coffee. If the grounds are too fine, they can escape the plunger’s mesh lining, and no one wants grainy coffee.

How to grind coffee for a pour-over

For the best at-home pour-over coffee, go for a medium to medium-coarse grind, depending on how strong you like your coffee. The grounds should look similar to what you’d grind for drip but closer to rough sand. A medium grind will brew stronger coffee, while a medium-coarse grind will brew a more typical cup.

How to grind coffee for a Keurig

Before I bought a drip machine, I owned a Keurig coffee maker for a quick cup on the go. I used a refillable pod so I could still use the beans I loved. These reusable Keurig pods can use a grind similar to drip coffee, ranging from medium to medium-fine (like granulated sugar).

How to grind coffee for an espresso machine

Fine grounds are the only way to pull a truly impeccable espresso shot. If you’re serious about your espresso, you’ll probably want to invest in the best coffee grinders for espresso. They’ll create the most uniform and consistent grind. Whether you drink it straight or in a pumpkin spice latte or espresso martini, you’ll want the grind to be as fine as confectioners’ sugar.

How to grind coffee for cold brew

If you have a cold brew coffee maker but can’t quite nail the taste of your favorite coffee shop cold brew, you may want to adjust the coffee grind. Just like the French press, you should aim for coarsely ground beans. Since cold brew coffee recipes recommend steeping the beans and water together for 12 to 24 hours, the water has plenty of time to extract flavor from coarse grounds.

How to Store Ground Coffee

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Like any prepared food, coffee grounds should be stored in an airtight container. This will keep moisture out and help the grounds retain that signature aroma that gets you out of bed in the morning. Keep the container in a cool, dry place, like the pantry or a cupboard.

Avoid storing coffee in the fridge, which can allow moisture to mess with the strength and flavor of the beans.

When does coffee expire?

In theory, coffee doesn’t exactly go bad the same way a jug of milk does. An unopened bag of whole-bean coffee can last six months to a year when stored in a cool, dry environment. Once opened, the beans should be used within three to four weeks. It might not seem like it on the outside, but the flavor and aroma will start to deteriorate as soon as the beans are opened.

After the coffee is ground, it should be used even faster. I recommend grinding your beans just before you use them. It makes the freshest brew! If you grind a large batch of beans, store them in an airtight jar and plan on using them within two weeks for the most optimal flavor.