To grind or not to grind: Do I need a Coffee Grinder?

Whole beans or ground coffee? Will I taste the difference? Should I purchase a coffee grinder?

It only makes sense that things that are fresher will inevitably taste better. Applying this to coffee beans, the correct solution would be to grind your own. Ground coffee begins to go stale only twenty-four hours after opening the bag or canister. Unless your kitchen doubles as a local café, you probably don’t use an entire bag or can each day.
Using a coffee grinder is an easy task in and of itself – just put the beans in, press the button and grind away. But, everything worth doing always has its minor notes to remember.

While there can seem to be no rhyme or reason to each particular person’s preference for coffee taste and strength, one thing all coffee connoisseurs seem to agree on is how much better of a brew one can get by using a coffee grinder and whole beans.
It is recommended to only buy as much coffee as you use for a period of one week. This is bad news for the bulk, wholesale distributors! Store your week’s supply of coffee beans in an airtight container and keep the container is a cool, dark location. Light and heat cause the coffee to lose some of its precious flavors. The refrigerator is a great place to keep your beans fresh and helps them last longer.
Now, onto using the coffee grinder.

If you're like most people and enjoy your coffee in the morning, wait until sunrise before grinding your beans. Using a coffee grinder only takes a few minutes so you shouldn’t have to rise any earlier than usual.

Look for a coffee grinder that chops and cuts the beans rather than squeezing and squashing. You want an even, consistent grind in order to get the most out of your beans.
The big question now is what setting to use? How fine do you want your grind?

A coffee grinder will usually have a range of settings to use, providing a range of results. The goal is to get a fine grind, but not too fine.
The typical recommendation is as follows:

Drip – medium
French Press – coarse
Espresso – fine
Vacuum filter – medium

The coffee grinder comes in two types – the burr grinder and the blade grinder. Of course, each has its pros and cons. A blade coffee grinder is usually less expensive and easy to find in most discount stores. The blades basically chop the beans into tiny fragments much as a blender purees fruit. The downside of a blade grinder is that some beans may get cut into two chunks while others are ground into powder. Consistency is key.

With the burr coffee grinder, users get a more consistent grind. This type is used by most coffeehouses and commercial distributors due to its higher quality.

Whether you go with a burr or a blade, coffee lovers will all agree that there are certainly perks to grinding your own. If you want a stronger and fresher flavor in your morning coffee, always remember to buy whole beans and put that coffee grinder to good use.

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