Coffee Coarseness

Of course it matters! 

For the new coffee enthusiast, it might sound a bit too much, I'll admit I once thought the grind size wouldn't affect the quality of my brew. But boy, oh, boy I was wrong. 

When it comes to brewing coffee, the coarseness of the coffee grounds plays a crucial role in the taste and quality of your coffee. The right grind size will allow for the proper extraction of flavors and aromas from the coffee, while a grind that's too fine or too coarse can result in a bitter or weak cup of coffee. 

What is Coarse Coffee ?

The coarseness refers to the size of the coffee grounds. A coarse grind is made up of larger coffee particles, while a fine grind is made up of smaller particles. Different brewing methods require different grind sizes to achieve the desired flavor and strength.

Why is my grind size important?

The coarseness of the coffee grounds affects how the water flows through the coffee during the brewing process. If the coffee grounds are too fine, the water will flow too slowly, resulting in over-extracted coffee that can taste bitter. On the other hand, if the coffee grounds are too coarse, the water will flow too quickly, resulting in under-extracted coffee that can taste weak.

How to Achieve the Right Coffee Coarse

The ideal coffee coarse depends on the brewing method you're using. Here are some general guidelines:

• French Press: A coarse grind is ideal for French press. The grounds should be the size of coarse sea salt.
• Pour Over: A medium grind is ideal for pour-over brewing methods such as the Chemex or V60. The grounds should be the size of sand but little coarser for Chemex.
• Espresso: A fine grind is ideal for espresso machines. The grounds should be the size of table salt.
• Cold Brew: A very coarse grind is ideal for cold brew coffee. The grounds should be the size of peppercorns.

Image was a courtesy of 3arrowscoffee.com

So, yes, size does matter but we want you, as always, to experiment and test different grind sizes to find something that suits you. For the love of a great brew!