The debate over whole beans versus ground beans will probably never be resolved; there are some tips and facts about various kinds of grinds and the best use of each. And there are some pros and cons to using whole beans and using ground coffee.
So here are some coffee-grinding tips and facts.
1. Whole Beans - Pros and Cons
Whole coffee beans hold their flavor longer, because the essential oils within the bean are not exposed to air. Grinding it yourself for each cup or pot results in a fresher, more flavorful cup of coffee. Whole beans also have a much longer shelf life, about ten times longer than pre-ground coffee, possibly making whole beans more economical.
Another advantage to whole beans is that you can choose the coarseness of the grind yourself, depending on the results you're aiming for. You will have to purchase a coffee grinder, though, and it will increase your preparation time.
2. Ground Coffee - Pros and Cons
As soon as coffee beans are ground, their essential oils (where the flavor and aroma are) become airborne. (That's why it smells so good!) So naturally, those essential oils floating around in the air are not making it into your cup. Consequently, pre-ground coffee tends to be less fresh and flavorful. If you tend to consume coffee quickly, however, pre-ground may work for you - sources say you have about nine days for ground coffee to retain its freshness after it's opened. And of course, pre-ground coffee is faster to make and more convenient.
3. Grinding Coffee
How you grind your coffee makes a difference in how it tastes. Here are some tips to consider:
* How finely you grind your coffee determines its strength - finely-ground beans will yield a more concentrated, stronger flavor. (Espresso is made with very finely ground beans.)
* Coarse grinds work best for a press-style pot or French press.
* A medium grind works for the typical drip coffee maker, but within the medium grind range there are subtle differences that depend on the kind of filter you use.
* Fine grinds do well with espresso machines, and can often be used in drip makers too.
* Extra fine is solely for espresso, as are super-fine grinds. Super-fine can also be used in a Turkish coffee maker.
4. Alternative Brewing
There are some interesting ways that coffee is brewed in various cultures and parts of the world. In Indonesia, coffee is brewed a bit like tea - hot water is poured over the grounds in the cup, and the coffee grounds slowly settle to the bottom while the coffee steeps and cools. If you use a very fine grind for this method, you'll end up with what is known in the Middle East as "mud coffee."
In Nordic countries and some Middle Eastern countries, coffee is sometimes boiled. This results in a more bitter brew.
Whether you buy whole beans or pre-ground, coffee is a more versatile beverage than you may have realized!
Coffee Makers Book
Books That Will Teach You About Coffee
Find product information, ratings and reviews for Books of Coffee Makers. Take your pick from our curated collection.
To say that the world of coffee is a complex thing would be an understatement, which means we need some help in understanding it. From the history of coffee to perfect brew methods, there are some excellent resource books out there.
For any coffee lover, here are some essential titles to put on your bookshelf
Find product information, ratings and reviews for Books of Coffee Makers. Take your pick from our curated collection.
To say that the world of coffee is a complex thing would be an understatement, which means we need some help in understanding it. From the history of coffee to perfect brew methods, there are some excellent resource books out there.
For any coffee lover, here are some essential titles to put on your bookshelf
Super Automatic Espresso Machines
Welcome to our website on espresso makers. There are a number of super automatic espresso machines and you will please to know that we will feature quite a few of them here.
We know you love coffee and especially espresso. We do too and that is whey we decided to list a few of the popular ones and the ones we so love.
Maybe you have't decided on which one you want to buy yet and that's ok. Our website just might have the right information you are looking for.
The automatics are something very different and has down the ones to go for. These super automatic espresso machines list here are highly coveted and well worth the price. We believe you'll love these and you will probably chose one from this list.
We know you love coffee and especially espresso. We do too and that is whey we decided to list a few of the popular ones and the ones we so love.
Maybe you have't decided on which one you want to buy yet and that's ok. Our website just might have the right information you are looking for.
The automatics are something very different and has down the ones to go for. These super automatic espresso machines list here are highly coveted and well worth the price. We believe you'll love these and you will probably chose one from this list.
Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines
Semi-Automatic Espresso Machines came to be thanks to Achilles Gaggia’s 1938 patent, which introduced electric pumps to devices, resulting in even, hands-free water pressure. Because operators can decide when to turn the pump on and off (hence “semi” automatic), and because boiler temperature controls are automated on these makers, this is the most popular type of traditional machine in use today.
Manual Espresso Machines
Manual espresso machines are as elegant as they are capable and are classics for a reason. This design still offers the most control over every aspect of the espresso experience. Fine tune your perfect espresso shot through grind, tamp, temperature, steam pressure and length of extraction.
They feature a boiler, steam pressure gauge, portafilter and a manual lever for controlling espresso extraction. Is it the beauty of the design that first catches your eye or the interplay the finely crafted parts that captivates your attention? You will be challenged and rewarded with a manual espresso machine in your home.
Manual espresso machines differentiate themselves from others on the market by offering unparalleled control over the brewing process. Unlike their pump driven counterparts, these machines use manually generated pressure to power the extraction process.
Manual espresso machines are like a restored car from the early 1900s — a beautiful homage to heritage, but unimaginably complicated compared to today’s most advanced models. There are no crank start mechanisms or chokes to contend with on manual espresso machines, but because they don’t maintain constant water pressure on their own, users must push water through the coffee manually, which can vary the quality of the final product. In short, these machines should be considered by experienced home baristas only.
They feature a boiler, steam pressure gauge, portafilter and a manual lever for controlling espresso extraction. Is it the beauty of the design that first catches your eye or the interplay the finely crafted parts that captivates your attention? You will be challenged and rewarded with a manual espresso machine in your home.
Manual espresso machines differentiate themselves from others on the market by offering unparalleled control over the brewing process. Unlike their pump driven counterparts, these machines use manually generated pressure to power the extraction process.
Manual espresso machines are like a restored car from the early 1900s — a beautiful homage to heritage, but unimaginably complicated compared to today’s most advanced models. There are no crank start mechanisms or chokes to contend with on manual espresso machines, but because they don’t maintain constant water pressure on their own, users must push water through the coffee manually, which can vary the quality of the final product. In short, these machines should be considered by experienced home baristas only.
Single-Serve Brewers Coffee Makers
The single-serve or single-cup coffeemaker has gained popularity in recent years. Single-serve brewing systems let a certain amount of water heated at a precise temperature go through a coffee portion pack (or coffee pod), brewing a standardized cup of coffee into a recipient placed under the beverage outlet. A coffee portion pack has an air-tight seal to ensure product freshness. It contains a determined quantity of ground coffee and usually encloses an internal filter paper for optimal brewing results.
The single-serve coffeemaker technology often allows the choice of cup size and brew strength, and delivers a cup of brewed coffee rapidly, usually at the touch of a button. Today, a variety of beverages are available for brewing with single-cup machines such as tea, hot chocolate and milk-based specialty beverages. Single-cup coffee machines are designed for both home and commercial use.
The single-serve coffeemaker technology often allows the choice of cup size and brew strength, and delivers a cup of brewed coffee rapidly, usually at the touch of a button. Today, a variety of beverages are available for brewing with single-cup machines such as tea, hot chocolate and milk-based specialty beverages. Single-cup coffee machines are designed for both home and commercial use.
Coffee Makers Percolators
With the percolator design, water is heated in a boiling pot with a removable lid, until the heated water is forced through a metal tube into a brew basket containing coffee. The extracted liquid drains from the brew basket, where it drips back into the pot.
This process is continually repeated during the brewing cycle until the liquid passing repeatedly through the grounds is sufficiently steeped. A clear sight chamber in the form of a transparent knob on the lid of the percolator enables the user to judge when the coffee has reached the proper color and strength.
This process is continually repeated during the brewing cycle until the liquid passing repeatedly through the grounds is sufficiently steeped. A clear sight chamber in the form of a transparent knob on the lid of the percolator enables the user to judge when the coffee has reached the proper color and strength.
Coffee Makers Coffee Grinders
This selection of grinders is perfect for the avid coffee drinker that prefers to use traditional coffee beans. Grind & brew beans at home to protect the aroma of your beverage and ensure a fresh cup when you need it. Blade grinders are compact and easy to use. Burr mill design features an airtight compartment that keeps beans fresh and allows you to release the amount you want to grind to prevent spillage and waste. Manual and electric appliances are available.
Whether you are new to the world of espresso or have been making the perfect cup of coffee for as long as you can remember, fresh coffee grounds are the first step.
Take your pick from our curated collection that includes everything from entry-level coffee grinders to precision-designed espresso grinders. With reviews of each grinder, you too can master the daily grind!
Whether you are new to the world of espresso or have been making the perfect cup of coffee for as long as you can remember, fresh coffee grounds are the first step.
Take your pick from our curated collection that includes everything from entry-level coffee grinders to precision-designed espresso grinders. With reviews of each grinder, you too can master the daily grind!
Coffee Makers French Presses
This refers to a device that makes this type of coffee. Also known as a Press Pot or Plunger Pot. There are many manufacturers and the pots are readily available. Using this method will give you an excellent cup of coffee and your friends will be amused watching you prepare and brew the coffee right at your dinner table!
The French Press uses a medium to coarse grind. The grind must be large enough so that the mesh filter works and does not get clogged. Because of the larger grind, the brewing time is a bit longer than with other methods. A grind set between drip and percolator is a good place to start.
The French Press uses a medium to coarse grind. The grind must be large enough so that the mesh filter works and does not get clogged. Because of the larger grind, the brewing time is a bit longer than with other methods. A grind set between drip and percolator is a good place to start.
