LEARN HOW TO GRIND COFFEE BASED ON THE COFFEE MAKER YOU USE.

 LEARN HOW TO GRIND COFFEE BASED ON THE COFFEE MAKER YOU USE.

GRINDING COFFEE IS ESSENTIAL TO OBTAIN GREAT COFFEE.

Grinding coffee is more complex than it may seem at first glance, the degree of grinding will determine as much as the roast of the coffee the final result of your cup.

Before buying a good coffee maker, especially if it is espresso, think about buying a good coffee grinder, and you will see the difference of grinding the coffee just before doing it.

- LEARN HOW TO GRIND COFFEE BASED ON THE COFFEE MAKER YOU USE and Burr Coffee Grinders Product

"The main function of coffee grinders is to grind coffee beans to the desired degree of grinding."

WHY DO WE GRIND THE COFFEE BEAN?

The objective of grinding coffee is to expand the contact surface of the coffee when water passes through it and thus extract all its properties.
 
The whole bean exposes very little surface area to water, so the coffee without grinding would always come out with little body, without picking up all the aroma and flavor of the coffee.
 
For this process to be effective, the grinder must dispense the thickness of the grind required by the type of coffee maker that we are going to use, and also, at least for professionals, it must do it in a repeatable way and the coffee should not reach high temperatures during the grinding process.
 
There are different technologies to grind coffee and in recent years progress has been evident, especially focused on maintaining the freshness of the coffee and that the coffee grinding is done without heat transfer to the coffee bean, to preserve all its ingredients unchanged. characteristics.
 
Of course, if you want the latest technology, you will have to pay for it, which for a professional is practically an obligation for a fan of good coffee is simply an option to value.
 

" What is true is that having a good grinder that allows you to grind the coffee without increasing its temperature is a huge advantage for making good coffee.  "

BUT SINCE WHEN IS COFFEE GROUND?

 
The first documented news of coffee grinding are some Arabic engravings in which the grinding of coffee in mortars is clearly observed.
 
To find precedents for systems more similar to the current ones, we must refer to the Modern Age, when the Turks, emulating the grinding techniques they used for species, began to place coffee in their grinders with crank and grinding wheels to grind it.
 
That is, the need to grind the coffee was very clear from the beginning, and often l os same merchants had mills individual with a crank removable to occupy less space and be able to sell ground coffee to its customers s .
 
In Africa, rather than grinding coffee, they pulverized the coffee, subjecting it to long sessions inside thick bowls carved from logs.
 
In general, women were in charge of grinding coffee and to do so they helped each other with a thick rounded stick, which they poked to grind all kinds of cereals.
 
This system was brought to America by the slaves who came to Africa and thus the coffee was ground in many large American farms for many years, it was produced by this rudimentary system.
 
In more recent times we all keep it at home, or we have seen the manual coffee grinder with a crank on the top, and a box to collect the ground coffee at the bottom of our grandmothers.

And its evolution in the form of an electric blade grinder that we have at home.



" Warn before continuing, even if it may sound exaggerated, the grind is an essential element to achieve a great coffee.  "


You can count on excellent coffee, masterfully roasted, keep it fresh until the last minute, but if you grind it improperly you can ruin your cup of coffee.



"  Buy coffee beans since coffee lasts much longer in good condition than if we buy coffee already ground.  "




Well-stored coffee beans will last a few weeks, in the second case, well-stored ground coffee will not last for a few days, when the container that contains it is closed it will have lost part of its aroma and flavor.




"  In addition, by grinding we can better control the thickness of the grain that we need to prepare each type of coffee.  "


The thickness of the coffee grounds and not changing the roast point of the coffee in the process is between art and science, so you need practice to get a good grind for your coffee maker.
 
Here we will try to summarize it in a simpler way so that you can prepare a coffee of authentic luxury.

GROUND COFFEE FOR ESPRESSO MACHINES

The grind required for espresso machines is very particular.
 
The ground coffee to prepare espresso has to be adapted to the peculiar characteristics of these coffee makers, which in just 25-30 seconds should extract the maximum aroma, flavor, cream and intensity of the coffee that we serve.

" For this reason, if we are going to use an espresso machine we will need a very fine grind, almost almost powder.  "

Despite this, you have to keep a balance.

If we go too fine, the espresso will be excessively bitter.
On the other hand, if we use a grind that is too coarse in an espresso machine, the coffee will come out scorched and disembodied, with a darker color than normal.

In addition, when preparing an espresso in an espresso machine, other factors influence, such as pressing or the dose (the number of grams of ground coffee that we are going to use).
 
As you can see, preparing a perfect espresso requires a certain skill, and it is surely one of the most traditional processes that we are going to talk about.
 
Therefore getting good results requires practice.
 
Thinking of the home user, the particularities of grinding for espresso machines do not end here, since by requiring great finesse, we find two barriers when purchasing it:

• Commercial ground coffee (that is, the one sold already ground and packaged) is usually too thick for this purpose, so we have no choice but to buy the coffee beans and grind it ourselves.
• Not all grinders are capable of achieving the fineness required to prepare an espresso.

To achieve good results you will have to buy a professional coffee grinder, and once you have the right ground coffee for your espresso machine, it is just a matter of practicing, practicing and practicing.

What an economic and practical investment is going to be necessary to give your espresso that point that good professional baristas give it.

MOKA, NAPOLITANA OR SIMPLY ITALIAN COFFEE MAKER.

Its acceptance among people is surprising because it is totally manual.
 
Perhaps it is because it gives an espresso type coffee without the need for electrical equipment and more investment.
 
The equipment consists of two inverted cones, with a filter in the center.
 
Here the coffee is placed, which must have a fine grind. In the lower cone the water is deposited. It is placed over direct fire, on the stove.
 
The steam and pressure generated propel the water upwards, passing through the coffee and producing a rich espresso in the upper cone.
 
In an Italian coffee maker we must use fine-grained ground coffee but less fine than the one we would use in an espresso machine.
 
Due to the type of infusion resulting from an Italian coffee maker, if we use an excessively fine grind we run the risk that the coffee will taste too astringent.
 
In a mocha or Italian coffee maker, it is not advisable to press the ground coffee inside the filter, unlike in the espresso machine.
 
You must make sure that the coffee is well leveled in the saucepan and that its surface is even , but without pressing it.
 

GROUND FOR FRENCH PRESS KNOWN AS PLUNGER COFFEE MAKERS.

They prepare the coffee by infusion, to achieve this you have to press the plunger to separate the coffee grounds from the rest of the infusion.
 
Infusing is mixing the coffee in water, allowing it to rest for a time -around 4 minutes- by wetting the ground coffee that you have previously poured into water just after reaching the boiling point and gradually absorbing all its nuances.
 
The result is an extraordinarily tasty and aromatic coffee.
 
Not surprisingly, some espresso machines incorporate a system that pre-infuses the beans before extraction to obtain all possible aromas and flavors.
 
To infuse the coffee beans, it is necessary that they have a coarse grind, since if they were too fine the water would hardly have a contact surface with them.
 
The result with another type of grinding is usually a coffee without a recognizable flavor, without body and with little charm.
 
In addition, a too fine grind in the French press causes too many grounds to leak when serving the drink, disturbing the enjoyment of the coffee.

GROUND FOR DRIP COFFEE MAKERS OR FILTER COFFEE MAKERS.

They use a ground coffee of medium grain, more or less the thickness that is sold already packaged normally for the stores.

This does not mean that we recommend using these pre-ground coffees, since inevitably, and as we have already explained on other occasions, the coffee loses properties before being packaged.

Why? As curious readers that you are, you will be wondering.
 
Because freshly ground coffee releases gases that need to be dissipated before being packaged and vacuum packed. In the time it takes to dissolve these gases, the ground coffee has already lost part of its aroma and flavor.
 
So, nothing like having freshly ground coffee ready to use in our coffee maker.
 
In any case, the rule of medium thickness grinding has some nuances depending on the type of filter that we use in our coffee maker.
 
The most common in drip coffee machines are disposable, single-use paper filters for which medium-grain grinds are interesting.
 
It is also possible to use permanent metal filters that have wider pores and therefore allow a somewhat thicker coffee.
 
Fabric filters are also permanent, although less frequent.
 
When using a cloth filter, the grind will need to be slightly finer than the midpoint, as the pores in this material are noticeably smaller.
 
In any case, these variations will be minimal, since we are always talking about various degrees within a medium grind thickness.
 
In a drip coffee maker, if we use a coarser grind than adequate, the coffee does not extract all the aroma and flavor of the coffee, it is discolored and disembodied.
 
On the contrary, if we use a too fine grind, the water will take too long to pass through the filter, and the coffee will be overextracted (very bitter).
 
In addition, we can also find ourselves in our drink with some remains in the form of powder that will reach our cup of coffee.
 
In addition to the medium grind, it is important to ensure that the ground coffee is distributed evenly and horizontally over the entire surface of the filter.
 

Obviously there are many more types of coffee makers, but we have chosen for this post the ones that seem to us to have the most presence in our homes.


" Regardless of the type of coffee maker, it is practiced in grinding, the quality of the coffee, and the extraction times are essential to obtain the cup of coffee that you and your guests deserve. "

How do you grind the coffee? What coffee grinder do you use? Did you know the different degrees of grinding to get good coffees?

HOW TO GRIND COFFEE BEANS WITHOUT A GRINDER?

 HOW TO GRIND COFFEE BEANS WITHOUT A GRINDER?

Don't have a grinder on hand? No problem. This article explains how to grind coffee beans without a grinder.

So… How to grind coffee beans without a grinder?

- HOW TO GRIND COFFEE BEANS WITHOUT A GRINDER and Burr Coffee Grinders Product

1. BLENDERS

This alternative is a bit obvious. Have you ever used your blender to grind coffee beans? It is a bit more complicated than it sounds.
Part of the reason is that blenders work best when there is liquid to help move the solids that are put into them.
If you've ever made a smoothie or milkshake without enough liquid, you know how it can snag the blender blades and overload the motor. If you do it too often, you can even break the blender motor.
To get the correct grind size on the outlet, first check if the blender has a grind setting. If you don't, or if you plan to use a personal blender at a certain speed, use this tip:

1. Add a small amount of coffee beans
2. Grind them to the correct consistency using short bursts of energy.
3. Remove pimples
4. Grind another small portion.

This will take some time if you plan to make an entire cup of coffee, but it can help prevent the blades from jamming and deteriorating.
If you throw half a bag of coffee into an old blender, you will get uneven grinds with pieces of poorly ground beans. Or worse, you could damage your blender's motor by trying to do a task that it isn't capable of.

2. MORTAR

A much more civilized option than a small rock and a large stone, but still quite old, is mortar and pestle. This method of grinding dates back to ancient Egypt. You can have one in your kitchen to make pesto, aioli, or chimichurri.

Alternatively, you can purchase a mortar and mallet in the cookware section of most stores. You probably won't get the perfect grinder, but you will get grinders that you can use without any problem.

When grinding the coffee beans with a mortar and mallet, you must be careful not to crush them into non-filterable dust. You will need about two tablespoons of ground for each cup you want to make.

Use the mortar to flatten them against the bottom of the mortar. Give them a little stir as you go to make sure all of the grits are squashed.

3. THE MEAT GRINDER

If you're unfamiliar with this device, it works the same way as the old metal pencil sharpeners your elementary teacher probably had on his desk. Meat mincers are devices that are used to finely chop all kinds of meats and vegetables.

It is easy to understand how coffee beans are cut with a meat grinder. It is a stainless steel or plastic machine with an internal blade that is used with a crank handle to cut anything you put into it, even coffee beans.

To grind with a hand grinder, measure the amount of beans you want to grind. Turn the crank as you slowly pour the beans into the grinder. You can sift your grinders and put the coarse chunks back into the grinder multiple times, if necessary.

4. MEAT TENDERIZER

Also known as a meat hammer, this kitchen utensil is a small metal hammer used to tenderize and flatten pieces of meat. The head of the mallet has two flat sides covered with small bumps or spikes. You can probably guess how to do it, but let us add a little tip before you start breaking down your coffee beans.

Pour your coffee beans into a resealable freezer bag. Evacuate all air before sealing the bag to prevent it from exploding like a balloon. Wrap the bag in a kitchen towel to avoid poking it with the meat tenderizer.

Use just a little force to hammer the grains as evenly as possible. Check the condition of the beans after a few strokes so as not to render the coffee beans useless.

5. HAMMER

As you can guess, it is the same tool that you use to drive the nails. Although it doesn't have the same surface area as a meat tenderizer, it will do the same job in the same way. You probably won't get the best grind with a hammer, but you can make coffee.

To smash the coffee beans with a hammer as cleanly as possible, place them in a resealable freezer bag. Empty the air and seal the bag. Put a kitchen towel around the bag. Hammer evenly.

6. MUFFIN

Whether you roll with the standard wooden model, a heavy marble, or a shiny stainless steel rolling pin, this kitchen gadget will allow you to grind your coffee beans without a grinder.

This method gives you a bit more precision than hammers when using an item that most people already have in their kitchen.

First, you will measure your coffee beans and then put them in a plastic freezer bag. Push down as much as you can, and then close the bag. It begins to roll slowly, from one side of the bag to the other.
If they roll from the bottom of the bag onto the zipper, you can force the coffee beans out of the zipper and cause a huge mess.

You can add a little extra protection by wrapping the bag in a towel, but the extra padding could also extend your filming time.
If you don't have a real rolling pin, you can even use a glass or wine bottle to roll up the coffee beans.

HOW TO GRIND COFFEE WITHOUT A GRINDER?

 HOW TO GRIND COFFEE WITHOUT A GRINDER?

We have already talked on our website about the methods to make coffee without a coffee machine , but now we go to the most difficult one: Can we grind coffee without a grinder ? It is rare that someone accustomed to making coffee at home does not have a mill, but ... let's face the unforeseen event.

It may happen that a package of coffee beans arrives in our hands (some gift, promotion, gifts ...) but we do not have a coffee grinder at home. Or simply if we have it, but when it comes to making our coffee every day we see that it has spoiled or is not working properly.

- HOW TO GRIND COFFEE WITHOUT A GRINDER and Burr Coffee Grinders Product

Well, the most immediate solution is to give up coffee. But if you want to try to grind it, or at least achieve something minimally similar to a proper grinding, we are going to tell you how to grind coffee beans without a grinder through various alternative methods.

NOTE: We already anticipate that the result with any of these methods will not be remotely similar to the grinding that you are going to obtain using any kind of grinder, even if it is the most basic or cheapest on the market.

Alternatives to grinding coffee beans without a grinder at home

Of course, before trying any of these methods, we must be clear that the result will not be a normal grinding, nor will we have precise control over its thickness. So the effectiveness of this alternative grind (to call it somehow) is not going to be the same depending on the type of coffee you want to prepare later.

Once we have made our approach clear, we are going to look at some “ homemade ” options for grinding coffee beans without a grinder .

With a mallet or hammer

We started rough. If you don't have a grinder at home, you can try grinding the coffee with a mallet, or a DIY hammer. Kitchen mallets (for example, those used to tenderize meat) will not be effective due to the hardness of the grains: you will need a weight tool .

And, of course, properly protect your countertop or table with kitchen rags so as not to damage anything. Our advice: put the grains that you are going to grind in a Zip freezer bag. And then wrap it in some extra cloth before hitting it.

Grinding the coffee beans with a hammer is not going to be very effective, because you will have little control over the grind. Rather than grinding, you are going to limit yourself to shredding the grains without a trace of mercy.

We only recommend it if you have no choice (because after all, everyone has a hammer handy at home) and the coffee beans are not of excessive quality. Otherwise ... mortal sin!

With a rolling pin

Knead the coffee beans? Well yes, but pressing a little to strengthen. If you do not know how to grind coffee without a grinder , using the roller technique you can at least aspire to obtain a uniform result. Of course, before starting, we recommend the same as in the previous point: put the grains that you are going to grind into a freezer bag. Otherwise, half of the ground beans will stick to the countertop or the surface of the roller due to static electricity.

With a kitchen mortar

Grinding the coffee beans with a mortar is the system that is most similar to a pair of grinding wheels or milling cutters acting on the beans. In this case, the work of the grinding wheels of the mill is carried out by the mortar mallet against the wall of the same.

It is one of the techniques for grinding coffee beans without a grinder that can give you results that are more similar to those of a specific grinding tool ... but at the same time it is also one of the most difficult because it depends entirely on your skill and your movement of wrist (not just about tapping, but rather “tapping and dragging”).

It is interesting to use poor quality grains at the beginning, to practice your technique.

Can I grind coffee in the Thermomix?

Perhaps of all the "unorthodox" techniques, this is the one that offers the most acceptable results. Although we understand that not everyone has a Thermomix, or at least a high-end kitchen robot at home.

What should we do to grind the coffee beans in a Thermomix ? Well, simply put the coffee beans in the glass and program 1 minute speed 5-10. That is to say: we start at 5 and we progressively increase it to the maximum.

When we have finished, we simply open the glass, we see the fineness of the grinding that we have obtained, and if we need a finer grinder we continue programming speed 10 in periods of 30 in 30 seconds. This last step must be repeated until the grain is ground to the fineness we are looking for.

Grind the coffee with a mixer or mixer

From our point of view, this is the least recommended option of all. It consists of taking a hand blender or a conventional glass blender , assuming that we have any of these appliances at home but we do not have a coffee grinder, and we grind the beans inside more or less as we have explained in the previous section.

The problem of grinding coffee with a mixer ? Well, in it you do not have the power or speed control that the Thermomix has, and that the quality of its blades is not even close to that of a kitchen robot ... not only are you going to get a poor grinding but you can damage your apparatus.