Why Coffee Grind Size Chart is Important? [The Detail Explanation]

Do you know Americans have around 400 million cups of coffee per day? And we are quite sure that most of them could not imagine starting their days without having the cup of joe! So, the taste of your day’s first beverage matters!

A lot of things can make or break the flavors. Again, despite having the best beans, one factor can really change the taste, and that is – the proportions of the grinds of coffee. The coffee grind size chart lets us know the different sizes for different brewing methods.

Are you getting puzzled which ground texture is right for your palate? Fret not! We are here to kick-start crushing the beans for a proper brewing process.

Understanding the Grind Size for Extraction

If you really want to experience the gift of fresh coffee, you have to know how much to grind the coffee. The extraction or dissolving all the magical flavours from the grounds in water considerably depends on the size. And the brewing method has a strong relation too. Let us see how a proper size will set the rest of your process up for success.

Suppose you are going for the french press. If you stick with the coarse grounds, you can take advantage of all the best features of the french press without the negatives.

So, you will not ended-up with over-extraction, and lots of micro grind coffee will not sneak by at the time of filtering. There will be no stiff grimace at the last sip of the mug! Remember, the too coarse size can lead you to under-extracted drink which is usually salty, acidic, or sour taste.

On the other hand, if we look for an espresso grind size, fine grounds are the best. Without this dimension, you won’t be able to build up the necessary pressure to pull a proper shot in a shot brewing time. You will need the maximum surface area to extract the coffee thoroughly in such a short time.

Keep in mind that too fine ground can result in over-extraction which may introduce you with the dull and bitter taste.

What are we waiting for? Let’s figure out which method is preferable to you!

Why Should You Grind at Home?

Despite having the perfect pre-ground coffee to buy, we recommend grinding at home. The flavour of freshly ground roasted beans can genuinely change your perspective on what a good cup of coffee really is.

As some environmental factors like oxygen react with the beans, they start losing flavour and taste. So, you should confirm that you have grounded the beans immediately before brewing.

Moreover, the roasted beans can retain its best flavor up to 1 week or slightly more. So, don’t use the soggy beans, or you will end up with a dull drink. Use an airtight container to preserve the beans.

The Coffee Grind Size Chart Microns for Different Brew Methods

With so many variables involve for brewing coffee, you can feel overwhelming at times! Don’t worry. Once you are up for the right size, you can take more control over the brewing process. Let’s go through the appropriate size for your favorite brewing method-

Extra Coarse Size

This one is for the longest extraction time. The beans are grounded coarsely. You need to put the beans in the grinder and wait for a few seconds to get this size. You will need a long-brewing time of about 12 hours or more for the proportions. This size is known for cold brew grind size as it does not require much surface area to extract the full flavor from the grounds.

Coarse Size

The coarse granules are the latter small size of the extra coarse grounds. The size is just similar to the sea or kosher salt. These grounds are used for either French press or percolator. Since the filtration system is not up to the mark for the percolator, the coarse ground is best to get a decent result.

The size will help to minimize the floaters and extra residue at the bottom of the cup. And while plunging in the French press, you will not finish up with silty coffee. Thus, by choosing the right size for the specific method, you can get a soothing cup of joe!

Medium-Coarse Size

Medium coarse grounds are quite similar to large grains of sand or sometimes thicker than powder but smaller than sea salt. Medium-coarse ground is preferable for Café solo, clever dripper, and Chemex brewers. This ideal Chemex grind size maintains a steady flow rate, and that’s why you will need around 3 1/2 or 4 1/2 minutes for its brewing.

If it goes a little faster, you will need a slightly finer ground. And if the brewing is taking time, you will go for just a little coarser one.

Medium Size

The size is becoming finer gradually. This one is smaller than large sand but just quite similar to the beach sand. Though the grounds are individuals, they might seem to be close together like powder.

If we take a look at Aero Press, the unique design will permit the versatility in brewing. The thick paper filter can sieve fine and coarse one. So there is a fair chance of doing various experiments with your brewing. It is an excellent place to start with medium sizes like between sea salt and table salt. You will need to brew for a couple of minutes. The plunging will not be too difficult.

You can go for a short brew time if you use a fine ground. The brew time will be between three to five minutes for medium-coarse to coarse ground.

The ground size will affect the flavour, the body of the coffee, and the amount of pressure you need to plunge it. The finer the size, the more force is required.

Again, for an automatic drip coffee machine, the medium size is recommended. However, the shape of the filter and filter basket determines how much time the water will take to pass through the coffee.

Medium-Fine Size

Medium-fine dimensions resemble finer than sand. This size is perfect for the cone-shaped pour-over brewer and vacuum brewer. If you are up for Kalita wave, Hario v60 or Bee-House, medium-fine size is the top-notch choice for experimenting. If your drink turns out in a sour taste, it is for under-extraction. You should choose the finer one. On the contrary, if you are ended up with a bitter taste drink, you should go for the coarser ones.

Fine Size

This one is called the standard size, and generally, all pre-ground items come just similar to this size. This one also needs a short extraction time. Though it is the standard size, fine grind coffee is not used in all conventional brewing methods. These grounds deliver the best flavour with Moka pots.

Since there are various models, brands and manufacturers in Moka pots, you need to experiment with beans to find the sweet spot.

Extra-Fine Size

This one is not commonly used as the others. This type is ideal for Turkish coffee for its bold, sludgy nature. There is no pressure for precise filtering in this process. Its outlook is just like flour or powder.

Coffee Grind Size Chart

Coffee Grind Size	Brewing Method
Extra Coarse	Cold Brew, Cowboy Style.
Coarse	French Press, Cupping, Percolator.
Medium Coarse	Chemex, Clever Dripper, Café Solo Brewer.
Medium	Pour Over, AeroPress, Drip Coffee.
Medium-Fine	Siphon Coffee, Cone-shaped Pour Over, AeroPress.
Fine	Moka Pot, Espresso, AeroPress
Extra-Fine	Turkish Coffee

Blade or Burr: Which one is for you?

There are mainly two types of grinders to choose – either the blade model or the burr model. Consider all the factors before purchasing in the right way as the last thing we want to end up with the wrong appliance for our favorite caffeine.

Blade Grinder

As the model is affordable and comparatively small, some users think it can bring an easy solution. And the people make a mistake here.

The appliance uses sharp blades that spin in a circular manner. The blades cut the roasted beans into several pieces. So you can see that it can do the job quickly but not precisely.

When the blades circulate rapidly, a certain amount of heat is produced there. The friction of the edges and the heat get combined and overcook the grounds and make them messy.

Besides, the blades cut the beans unequally. Some are too fine, and some remain coarse. As a result, fine ground causes over-extraction, and coarse ones cause under-extraction. In the end, you will get an imbalance of taste in your coffee. That is the reason why you should avoid blade grinders.

Burr Grinder

This type is more expensive than the former one. But it works much better. Basically, it is the right option for grinding coffee.

The machine doesn’t use any blade rather, it applies pressure uniformly to all the beans. It also doesn’t spin quickly. By the uniform pressure at low speed, this one creates even and consistent grounds.

It comes with various settings to create different sizes. It gives you all options according to your necessity from the coarse to the superfine option.

Don’t get derailed by seeing the low price of the blander. Get a good quality burr grinder as it can make a sky-high difference in the taste and flavour. Though it is slightly pricy, it is worth the price because of its excellent performance.

Which is Better Between Electric and Manual?

Manual and electric, both models do the same job. The electric model can do the job within a short time, whereas the manual takes more time. If you want to find the answer of the question ‘’which one is better’’, then you need to know where to use which model.

The manual model

This one is ideal for popular brewing methods, including pour-over, AeroPress, and Chemex. However, you can also use an electric model here, but the manual one gives you a far better result. Though it requires much time, it is ideal for these purposes.

The electric model

If you are planning for making coffee in large quantities, the automatic option will be the appropriate one. Again, this one is for the espresso method. So, for the large number and espresso brewing options, you can use an electric burr model.

The Settings Of Manual Burr Grinder To Use For Different Grind Size

If you don’t know the setting and appropriate grinding time, you might not get the perfect grind size. Follow the following settings for precise grinding of coffee beans every time.

For Espresso:

Handground Setting: 1
Amount: 10 Grams
Time: 290 Seconds.

For Pour Over:

Handground Setting: 3.5
Amount: 10 Grams
Time: 57 Seconds.

For Aero press:

Handground Setting: 2.5
Amount: 10 Grams
Time: 91 Seconds.

For French Press:

Handground Setting: 7
Amount: 10 Grams
Time: 18 Seconds

For Cold Brew:

Handground Setting: 6.5
Amount: 10 Grams
Time: 20 Seconds

For Chemex:

Handground Setting: 5
Amount: 10 Grams
Time: 28 Seconds

Frequently Asked Questions

What size should I grind my coffee?

It depends on your taste buds and which flavor do you like. If you prefer a French press, then go for coarse ground. Again, the medium-fine ground provides the best flavor and taste with the pour-over method. So check the coffee grind size chart for the enlisted size for precise grounds.

How do you measure coffee grind size?

You can compare the size with many existing elements around us, for example, extra coarse one looks like peppercorn, coarse one looks like sea salt, and so on.

Does grind size affect coffee flavor?

Yes, the grind size affects the flavor intensively. Too fine grind can give you a bitter taste because of over-extraction. On the other hand, the too coarse grind is responsible for under-extraction, and it is less flavorful.

Does finer grind make stronger coffee?

Yes. Finer one gives intense favor as it causes over-extraction.

How does grind size affect espresso?

Espresso brewing requires fine ground, which controls the rate of water flow. If it is too fine, the drink will be watery and vice-versa.

What is the best coffee grind?

Particular grinds are perfect for particular brewing methods. Please check the chart and learn which grind is best for which method.

What happens if the coffee grind is too coarse?

If the size is too coarse, then it will not be extracted completely. It causes under-extraction and provides blunt flavor.

Are coffee grinders worth it?

A great quality machine has a vital role in making your coffee delicious. It would be best if you used such a model that can crush perfectly according to your requirements.

How long is coffee good after grinding?

If the grounds are stored in an airtight container, they will remain fresh up to 2 weeks. And they will stay fresh up to 1 month in case of keeping in a refrigerator.

Is it OK to grind coffee beans the night before?

Yes, you can. You can do the task the night before. But it would help if you kept them in an airtight container. Otherwise, they will lose flavour and taste. But the best is to crush the beans just before brewing.

Is ground coffee cheaper than the whole bean?

Yes. The whole bean is expensive than the ground selection as the grounds are fresh and flavorful.

Final Words

The cup of delight is a potent elixir that delivers surprising caffeine jolt. The small things always matter! If you overlook the significance of the Coffee Grind Size Chart, you will see the result in your beverage. Experiment the methods which are manageable to you and share your experience.