Coffee Grinder

You can’t make coffee with whole beans. At the very least, it would be pretty difficult. A coffee grinder is the in-between stage of bean to brew. Back in the old days, an old grinder with a handle on top would be the standard. You dropped the beans in and started twisting. Grinding by hand takes a little sweat and effort, but who knows? Maybe it’s more rewarding when you’ve put that much work into it.

Most people prefer the electric grinder. Plug it in, fill it up, and with the touch of a button the beans are obliterated. How fine or coarse you grind it definitely affects the cup of coffee once you’re done. Espresso, drip, percolated, Turkish—all varieties require a different grind.

A lot of grinders can be adjusted to change the grind. An important aspect of a grinder is how much energy it puts out to grind the beans. If your grinder gets too hot while it’s doing the work, it cab affect the taste of your coffee, making it much stronger or giving it a burned taste. In fact, if you’re a fan of Starbucks coffee, and like how strong it is, you can thank heat. Roasting the beans longer is how Starbucks achieves that taste.

If you’re just grinding a little bit each day, a small countertop grinder will probably be enough. There are big industrial grinders, or even ones that are part of the coffee maker so that once you add the beans and water, technology takes care of the rest. Check out the brands, pick your grind, and find the right color. You’re ready to grind!