 Grinding your own coffee allows you to start your cup with the freshest possible coffee, especially if you buy fresh roasted beans or roast your own. Although it does take a little more effort than simply scooping grounds out of a bag, home-ground coffee is far superior in quality to that bought at your local grocery store.
There are a variety of coffee machines on the market, but many are so noisy and messy that they aren’t very practical. If you live with other people, the noise will drive them up the walls every time you want a cup of coffee! You might want to consider a hand-grinder if noise is an issue for you.
Perhaps one of the most commonly used grinders is the typical two blade mini-grinder. This looks much like a small food processor. While these are economical and easy to use, they do tend to be pretty loud and since there are only two blades chopping at the beans, the grind will tend to be uneven.
Another option is the burr grinder which turns out a nice even grind. These are also noisy, but far more efficient. The bean is processed just once and the grounds deposited into a small compartment, making it faster and less messy. These are available in a huge range of sizes and prices.
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The final option is a hand-grinder. Although silent, you will need a little more time to grind your beans. The grounds will be deposited into a small pull-out compartment where the mess is very limited. The added advantage to hand-grinders is the elegant yesteryear look of them. They really add to the kitchen décor.
To get started grinding your own beans, you need to have a supply of roasted beans on hand. Whether you buy pre-roasted beans or roast them yourself, coffee beans are best used after having sat for a day or two, but before two weeks is up. After that, the roasted beans will go stale and the idea of doing all this home grinding is to have the best coffee possible.
The next step is to set your machine to the right grind for your purposes. If you are using a French press, you will want a coarser ground than for a drip filter machine. Check the instructions for your coffee grinder, since each one is different. It’s also a good idea to experiment to find the best setting for you.
Then, start grinding! Doing this on a daily basis will ensure the freshest possible coffee. As soon as you break down those beans, the essential oil is released and everything is instantly more flavorful . . . but this will dissipate quickly.
Grinding your own coffee beans is well worth the extra work each morning for a truly incredible cup of coffee. Whether you go with a rotary blade or a hand-grinder, you’ll be thrilled at the boost in quality of your daily cups of coffee.
Take time to consider the points presented above. What you learn may help you overcome your hesitation to take action. |
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