Grinding your own coffee beans is one of the easiest ways to get more flavour from your coffee. Once coffee beans are ground, they lose their aroma faster. By grinding just before brewing, your coffee remains fuller, more fragrant, and fresher.
But then the question arises: how do I grind coffee beans correctly?
The answer depends on your brewing method. For espresso, you need a fine grind. For filter coffee, a medium grind. For a French press, a coarse grind. The grind size determines how quickly water extracts flavour from the coffee.
If you grind too finely, your coffee can become bitter. If you grind too coarsely, your coffee often tastes weak, sour, or watery.
In this blog, we explain step by step how to grind coffee beans, what grind size you need, and how to make your coffee taste better at home.
Why grind your own coffee beans?
Grinding your own coffee beans has one major advantage: freshness.
Whole coffee beans retain their flavour longer than ground coffee. As soon as you grind coffee, more surface area comes into contact with oxygen. This causes aromas to disappear more quickly. You notice this especially in scent, taste, and aftertaste.
Grinding your own also gives you more control. You can adjust the grind size to your brewing method and taste. This is important, because espresso requires something different than filter coffee. And a French press requires something different than a moka pot.
In short:
Grinding your own coffee beans ensures more freshness, more aroma, and more control over your cup of coffee.
That doesn't mean ground coffee is bad. Ground coffee is especially convenient if you're looking for ease. But if you want to influence the taste yourself, whole coffee beans are the best choice.
How do you grind coffee beans?
Grinding coffee beans is done in three steps.
Step 1: Choose your brewing method
First, determine how you're going to brew coffee. For example, are you using an espresso machine, filter machine, French press, moka pot, Chemex, or cold brew?
Your brewing method determines the grind size.
Step 2: Set the correct grind size
Each brewing method has a different contact time between water and coffee. For espresso, this contact time is short, so you need a fine grind. For a French press, the contact time is longer, so you need a coarse grind.
Step 3: Taste and adjust
The first grind doesn't have to be perfect right away. Taste your coffee and then adjust.
Does your coffee taste bitter? Grind a bit coarser.
Does your coffee taste weak or sour? Grind a bit finer.
This way, you'll gradually get closer to the right taste.
What grind size do I need?
The correct grind size depends on your brewing method. Below you will find a practical explanation per method.
Grinding coffee beans for espresso
For espresso, you grind coffee beans finely. The water is forced through the coffee under pressure and has only brief contact with the grounds. Therefore, the coffee must be fine enough to quickly release flavour.
Grind size: fine
Texture: finer than table salt
Suitable for: espresso, portafilter machine, some super-automatic machines
Flavour goal: powerful, full-bodied, and balanced
Is your espresso thin, sour, or watery? Then your grind is probably too coarse.
Does your espresso flow very slowly or taste bitter? Then you are probably grinding too finely.
For espresso, coffee with sufficient body often works well. For example, choose a strong roast or a coffee with a powerful aftertaste.
Grinding coffee beans for super-automatic machines
For a super-automatic coffee machine, you usually grind fine to medium-fine. Many machines have an adjustable grind size.
Start with the middle setting. Then brew a few cups and taste.
Does the coffee taste weak? Adjust the grinder a bit finer.
Does the coffee taste bitter? Adjust the grinder a bit coarser.
Note: always adjust the grind size in small steps. Large adjustments make it harder to discover what works.
Grind size: fine to medium-fine
Suitable for: super-automatic coffee machine
Flavour goal: full-bodied coffee without bitterness
Grinding coffee beans for filter coffee
For filter coffee, use a medium grind. The water flows slowly through the ground coffee. The grind must be fine enough to release flavour, but coarse enough to flow through properly.
Grind size: medium
Texture: similar to sand
Suitable for: filter machine, hand filter, electric coffee maker
Flavour goal: clear, accessible, and balanced
Is your filter coffee bitter? Grind a bit coarser.
Does your filter coffee taste weak or sour? Grind a bit finer.
Filter coffee is a good brewing method for those who enjoy a calm, simple but delicious cup of coffee.
Grinding coffee beans for French press
For a French press, you grind coffee beans coarsely. The coffee remains in contact with water for several minutes. If you grind too finely, the coffee quickly becomes bitter and you'll get more coffee grounds in your cup.
Grind size: coarse
Texture: similar to coarse sea salt
Suitable for: French press
Flavour goal: full-bodied, round, and rich
It's better not to use a fine grind in a French press. That often results in a heavy, muddy taste.
A coarse grind results in a fuller coffee with less bitterness.
Grinding coffee beans for moka pot
For a moka pot, also known as a percolator, you use a medium-fine grind. This is between espresso and filter coffee.
A moka pot works with pressure, but not as much pressure as an espresso machine. Therefore, the grind should be slightly coarser than espresso, but finer than filter coffee.
Grind size: medium-fine
Texture: slightly coarser than espresso
Suitable for: moka pot, percolator
Flavour goal: strong, round, and concentrated
If you use too fine a grind, the coffee can become bitter. If you use too coarse a grind, the coffee quickly becomes flat.
Grinding coffee beans for Chemex
For Chemex, use a medium-coarse grind. Chemex filters are thicker than regular coffee filters. This makes the water flow through more slowly.
A slightly coarser grind helps to keep the flow time in balance.
Grind size: medium-coarse
Texture: coarser sand
Suitable for: Chemex and some slow coffee methods
Flavour goal: clear, soft, and aromatic
Does your Chemex taste bitter or heavy? Grind coarser.
Does it taste thin or sour? Grind a bit finer.
Grinding coffee beans for cold brew
For cold brew, you grind coffee beans extra coarsely. Cold brew steeps in cold water for a long time, often 12 to 18 hours. Because the contact time is long, the coffee does not need to be finely ground.
Grind size: extra coarse
Texture: coarse grains
Suitable for: cold brew
Flavour goal: soft, mild, and less bitter
Too fine a grind often makes cold brew cloudy and heavy. A coarse grind results in a cleaner, softer taste.
Overview: which grind size per brewing method?
Use this as a practical guideline:
Espresso: fine
Super-automatic: fine to medium-fine
Moka pot: medium-fine
Filter coffee: medium
Chemex: medium-coarse
French press: coarse
Cold brew: extra coarse
Turkish coffee: extra fine, almost powder
Do not consider this a fixed rule. Every grinder, bean, and brewing method works slightly differently. Start with this guideline and then adjust to taste. Would you like to know more about the various brewing methods? Click here.
Which coffee grinder do you need?
There are roughly two types of coffee grinders: blade grinders and burr grinders.
Blade grinder
A blade grinder chops coffee beans into pieces. This is cheap and simple, but the grind is often uneven. You get fine and coarse pieces mixed together.
This can make your coffee taste both bitter and weak at the same time.
A blade grinder is usable, but not ideal if you really want control.
Burr grinder
A burr grinder grinds coffee beans more evenly. You can set and repeat the grind size more precisely.
Do you often drink coffee beans? Then a burr grinder is usually the better choice. Especially for espresso, it makes a big difference.
When should you grind coffee beans?
The best time to grind coffee beans is just before brewing coffee. This preserves the aroma and flavour best.
So, it's better not to grind a whole bag in advance. That's convenient, but you lose aroma more quickly.
Still want to grind in advance? Store the ground coffee in an airtight, dark, and dry place. Preferably use a well-sealed container and do not place it next to the stove or in the sun.
Still, the simple rule remains:
Grind coffee beans as short as possible before brewing.
How many coffee beans should you grind?
That depends on your brewing method and taste. These guidelines will help you:
Filter coffee: about 60 grams of coffee per liter of water
French press: about 60 to 70 grams of coffee per liter of water
Espresso: often 18 to 20 grams for a double espresso
Moka pot: fill the filter basket loosely to the rim
Cold brew: about 1 part coffee to 8 to 10 parts water
Use this as a starting point. Then you can adjust. Want more strength? Use a little more coffee. Want a milder cup? Use a little less.
Which coffee beans suit which grind size?
The grind size primarily depends on your brewing method, not just the bean. However, taste also plays a role.
For espresso
Choose a coffee with body, strength, and a firm aftertaste. A dark roast can work well here.
For filter coffee
Choose a coffee with balance, clarity, and a pleasant aftertaste. Medium roast often works well.
For French press
Choose a coffee that can taste round and full-bodied. A coarser grind gently extracts body from the bean.
For slow coffee
Choose a coffee with more nuance, such as fruity, floral, or fresh notes. These flavours often come out beautifully with filter, Chemex, or other gentle brewing methods.
At Bunafide, you can choose from beans with various flavour profiles. From accessible and basic to powerful, exotic, or decaf. This way, you choose not only by grind size but also by the moment you drink coffee. Want to learn more about how to best taste coffee? Click here.
Frequently asked questions about grinding coffee beans
How should I grind coffee beans?
First, choose your brewing method, then set the correct grind size. Espresso requires fine, filter coffee medium, and French press coarse. Then taste and adjust the grind size.
What grind size for coffee beans?
That depends on your brewing method. Use fine for espresso, medium for filter coffee, coarse for French press, and extra coarse for cold brew.
How fine should I grind coffee beans?
For espresso, you grind fine. For filter coffee, medium. For French press, coarse. The shorter the contact time with water, the finer the grind usually needs to be.
Can you grind coffee beans without a coffee grinder?
You can, for example, with a blender, mortar and pestle, or food processor. But the grind is often uneven. For better coffee, a coffee grinder, preferably a burr grinder, is the better choice.
Is grinding your own coffee beans better?
Usually, yes. Grinding your own offers more freshness, more aroma, and more control over the taste. Ground coffee is mainly convenient if you're looking for ease.
Which grind for espresso?
For espresso, use a fine grind. If your espresso flows too quickly, grind finer. If it tastes bitter or flows too slowly, grind a bit coarser.
Which grind for filter coffee?
For filter coffee, use a medium grind. The texture should resemble sand. This ensures a good balance between brewing time and taste.
Which grind for French press?
For French press, use a coarse grind. A fine grind often results in a bitter, muddy coffee with a lot of sediment.
Why does my coffee taste bitter after grinding?
Most likely, the coffee was ground too fine, brewed for too long, or brewed with water that was too hot. Try grinding a bit coarser.
Why does my coffee taste weak after grinding?
Most likely, the coffee was ground too coarse, brewed for too short a time, or you used too little coffee. Try grinding a bit finer or using a bit more coffee.
Conclusion: how to grind coffee beans well?
Grinding coffee beans well starts with your brewing method. For espresso, grind fine. For filter coffee, grind medium. For French press, grind coarse. For cold brew, grind extra coarse.
After that, let your taste determine if you've got it right.
Does your coffee taste bitter? Grind a bit coarser.
Does your coffee taste sour or weak? Grind a bit finer.
This way, you don't have to be a barista to make better coffee. You just need to know what your brewing method requires and adjust step by step.
Grinding your own coffee beans gives you more control, more freshness, and more flavor in your cup. Exactly as coffee is meant to be: clear, honest, and without unnecessary fuss.
