Notre guide sur l’art de bien choisir sa mouture de café

Our guide to choosing the right coffee grind
published on 09.18.2024 — by Marc-Alexandre Emond-Boisjoly — 4 mins of reading —


If you're wondering "coffee: what type of grind should I choose?", you've come to the right place. Coffee grind is one of the most decisive factors in the success of a cup. Too fine, and the extraction becomes bitter and full-bodied; too coarse, and it's watery and flat. In this guide to coffee grinding, find out how to adjust the grind size to your method, whether it's a filter coffee maker, an espresso machine, a piston coffee maker or even cold-brewed coffee.

Marc de café dans un résidu d'un café filtre

Why is grinding so important?

Influence on extraction and taste

The grinder controls the speed at which thehot water passes through the coffee. The finer the contact surface, the faster and more intense the extraction. Conversely, a coarse grind slows extraction, giving a softer, rounder profile.

Fresh coffee vs. pre-ground coffee

A freshly ground coffee beans releases an incomparable aromatic richness. Pre-ground coffee quickly loses its most volatile notes. Invest in a coffee grinder is essential to reveal the full complexity of your mug.

The main types of coffee grinds

Extra fine grind: Turkish coffee

The finest grind, close to the powdered sugar textureis reserved for Turkish coffee. The result is a dense, unfiltered, highly aromatic liqueur.

Fine grinding: espresso and Italian coffee makers

Visit fine grinding for theespresso because pressurized water has to extract aromas quickly. This is also the case for Italian coffee makers (mocha)which require a slightly finer grind than espresso.

Medium grind: filter coffee maker

Used for filter coffeewhether with a electric coffee maker or a manual dripper. Consistency is crucial, as the water must pass evenly through the dripper. filter holder.

Coarse grind: piston coffee maker

For the piston coffee maker (French press), we choose a coarse grinding. Coffee remains in prolonged contact with water, and too fine a grind will produce unpleasant deposits.

Very coarse grind: cold-brewed coffee

For the cold brew coffeeA very coarse grind is preferred. As the extraction time is long (12 to 18 hours), this avoids excessive bitterness.

Préparation d'un aeropress

How do you adapt the grind size to your method?

  • Filter coffee Medium grind, filtered water, spiral pouring, ratio 1:16.
  • Espresso fine grind, 18 g in a double filter holder, extraction in 25-30 sec.
  • Piston coffee maker coarse grind, 4-minute infusion, round texture.
  • Turkish coffee extra-fine grind, infused in a cezve with sugar.
  • Cold brew Very coarse grinding, infused in cold water for several hours.

Each method has its grinding type and a mistake can ruin the balance of the cup.

Practical advice on how to grind your coffee properly

  • Using a coffee grinder It guarantees even grinding, unlike blade mills.
  • Adjusting the amount of coffee the more amount of coffee is higher, the more you need to adjust the grind to avoid bitterness.
  • Tip If the coffee is too bitter → grind too fine; too acidic or light → grind too coarse.
  • For fans of full-bodied coffeesIf you're not sure, choose a finer grind (but one suited to the method).

FAQ

Coffee: what type of grind to choose for your coffeemaker?

  • Filter: medium grind
  • Espresso: fine grind
  • Piston: coarse grinding
  • Turkish: extra fine
  • Cold brew: very coarse

How do I know if my grind is good?

Observe the extraction time: if the water goes through too quickly, it's too coarse; if it goes through too slowly, it's too fine.

Can the same grind be used for all methods?

No, each method needs its own grind size for successful extraction.

Which is better: ground coffee or whole beans?

Always give priority to coffee bean and grind just before use to preserve freshness.

Does a finer grind give more flavour?

But not always. A extra-fine grinding gives intensity, but can make coffee bitter if ill-adapted.

Conclusion

Choosing the right coffee grinding is an art, but above all a key to bringing out the best in every method. Whether you're preparing a Turkish coffeean espresso in machinea manual filter or a cold-brewed coffeethe grind size makes all the difference.

👉 Discover our freshly roasted coffees on 94 celcius and have fun adjusting your extractions to create your own taste experiences.