When coffee ceases to be just a morning routine or a mere drink, many of us begin to invest more time and effort in developing knowledge of the same, diving deeper into the recesses of the coffee world.
If you ever find yourself at that stage, take the leap; you’ll certainly be better off for it.
What this does is further open you up to the diverse types and flavours of coffee, helping you expand the horizons of your tastes and preferences.
And before you know it, you’ve bought ten different coffees and a couple of coffee makers. But don’t worry, we’ve all been there, done that at some point in nurturing our love for coffee.
If you’re planning to get started with grinding your coffee at home, chances are that you are looking to experiment or want to become more involved in making coffee.
Here are some tips to keep in mind to make the process as effective as possible.
Understand the Pros & Cons of Different Grinders
There are several types of equipment that do the job: blade grinders, burr grinders, manual grinders, automatic grinders, to name a few.
It would be best if you learnt the functionality of each of these before investing in one and not knowing if that aligns with your lifestyle expectations.
Not only do these differ in terms of how the machine operates but also the result you’d get. There can be a significant difference in the texture of the grind.
Pay Extra Attention When Using Blade Grinders
Blade grinders, like the name suggests, have blades fixed to the inner bottom of the grinder.
The reason it is not preferred by a lot of people is that the result with a blade grinder tends to be uneven. Since the blades move in one direction, and that too, while coming in contact with the beans at the lower end of the grinder, you may find lumps or differently-textured coffee in the batch.
So what you can do is after one round of grinding, make sure to mix the ground coffee and grind the same batch again so that the blades can get to all the coffee beans.
Clean Coffee Grinder Regularly
Of course, this is one of the topmost factors you’d keep in mind.
Any utensil or equipment used in making coffee must be kept clean and dry at all times so that it doesn’t interfere with the taste.
With coffee grinders, take care that the beans stuck in the chamber are removed to ensure a smoother finish. Even the excess grounds must be cleaned out thoroughly every time you grind coffee.
Lastly, try to perform intensive cleaning of the machine once every couple of months. This will keep your grinder functioning for longer and have a much cleaner appearance.
Align Coffee Ground Type to Brewing Method
A lot of factors must be neatly aligned so that from coffee beans to a cup of aromatic coffee, the process is seamless.
Before buying a coffee grinder, consider what method of brewing coffee you’d prefer. Is it filter coffee or using a french press?
You should also consider this when choosing the grind setting.
Some brewing methods require coarsely ground coffee, whereas others require fine grounds. And the better you have an understanding of the relation between the two, the better quality your coffee grounds will be.
Avoid Making Large Batches of Ground Coffee
For some of you, the whole point of grinding coffee at home would be to enjoy fresh coffee each day.
You’d be missing out on this benefit if you then decided to create large batches of ground coffee at a time.
While storage conditions of the coffee also play into how fresh and aromatic the coffee is, it is ideal that you grind small batches of coffee rather than a couple of months’ worth in one go.
Don’t Store Ground Coffee in Places Exposed to Moisture
It’s one thing to grind coffee at home, but your efforts will be futile if the coffee grounds aren’t stored properly.
Avoid placing them in areas that are exposed to moisture such as near a stove or in the refrigerator.
The best practice for storing your ground coffee is to use airtight containers and place them in a cool, dark spot.
We hope these tips help you get an idea of what it entails to grind coffee at home.
Do share your experience with us in the comments.
We highly recommend getting started with this Hario Coffee Mill Slim Pro. The chic look and ergonomic design makes it a piece of essential equipment for grinding coffee at home.