Getting a good cup of coffee requires several steps (see our 5 golden rules). And one of the most important is to have the right grind for your machine in order to obtain the best possible extraction, and therefore the best result in the cup.
At Ma Caféine, we will always advise you to buy your coffee beans and to grind as you goThis keeps the coffee fresh and therefore produces better coffee in the cup.
In fact, ground coffee loses its freshness and aroma in just one week, whereas with well-preserved whole bean coffee you can go up to three weeks.
You can get a grinder for a few hundred dollars (see our crushers), or we can grind your coffee to order.
Why is it important to have a good grind?
Fresh, quality ground coffee is essential for making delicious coffee.
If it's uniform, it allows for even extraction of all coffee particles. This means that each coffee bean is equally exposed to hot water during brewing, ensuring a balanced flavor.
If it is uneven, it can cause some coffee particles to be over-extracted, which can make the coffee bitter and astringent.
The quality of your coffee grind is crucial to the flavor, aroma, and successful brewing of your coffee.
How do you know what grind size you need for your coffee machine?
Here is a little summary that will surely help you see things more clearly, from the finest to the coarsest:
- Grinding extra-fine : Extra-fine powder, with a floury texture, used for the preparation of Turkish coffee.
- Grinding fine : Very fine powder, used for preparing espresso coffee in machine manual espresso.
- Medium-fine grind : For the Italian coffee makers, also called Moka or “stovetop» (on top of the oven). It's a grind halfway between espresso and filter, resembling table salt.
- Grinding average : Medium-fine grind, used for preparing coffee with a paper filter in a basket. It is also suitable for capsules reusable.
- Medium-coarse grind : Used for the manual infusions (pour-over) type Chemex or V60.
- Coarse grind : Fairly coarse grind resembling sea salt, used for preparing coffee in a French press coffee maker (french press/bodum), but also for the percolator-type coffee makers.
Image of My Caffeine
How do you know if you have the right coffee grind for your machine?
Is your coffee bitter or acidic? Too strong or too mild? Is the brew flowing in drips or too quickly? It's probably due to a grinding problem.
One simple trick to determine the source of the problem is the flow rate of your coffee, which you can observe for espresso machines or manual brewers. If your coffee flows too slowly into your cup or too quickly, even though all other parameters (such as the amount of coffee used) are correct, then there is a problem.
This can be easily fixed by changing your grind size.
In summary, here are some solutions if your coffee:
| flows too slowly | = | your grind is too fine, or you need to decrease the amount of coffee. |
| flows too quickly | = | your grind is too coarse, or you need to increase the quantity of coffee. |
| is too bitter | = | use a coarser grind. |
| is too acidic | = | use a finer grind. |
| is too much strong | = | reduce the amount of coffee |
| is too soft | = | increase the amount of coffee |
How to choose your mill?
If you've just purchased a manual machine or a manual brewing system like a Chemex or V60, you'll need a good grinder to make fresh, richly flavored coffee. You could consider buying pre-ground coffee from a store, but this wouldn't necessarily be suitable for your equipment, as most pre-ground coffees are designed for drip machines. Plus, the taste of your coffee would be disappointing, as these commercial coffees have been ground for some time before reaching the shelves.
So, how do you choose the right grinder? Should you opt for a manual or automatic model? Should you choose a grinder with flat burrs or conical burrs? And what's the difference between ceramic and steel burrs? With so many models available, each offering a variety of options and materials, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the choice.
Read our guide to help you make the best choice.
How important is it to clean your coffee grinder properly?
Regularly maintaining your grinder in good condition is essential. Taking proper care of your grinder ensures optimal grinding performance, resulting in better-quality coffee in your cup every day. Additionally, maintenance helps extend the life of your equipment. It's important to note that, just like a coffee machine, a grinder that's left unused for a while can develop operational issues.
Dominique, pour une machine DeLonghi, expresso manuelle, il faut une mouture espresso manuelle, numéro 2 dans le guide.
Je viens de me procurer un percolateur Lagostina 8 tasses. Je ne sais pas quelle moulure mettre dans le filtre en métal. Combien de temps dois-je laisser bouillir et à quelle intensité de moyen à fort…J`ai jeté à date au-moins 3 cafetières de café non buvable..j`aime un café doux moyen..Merci de m`aider à profiter de ma nouvelle cafetière…
Pour une machine DeLonghi, expresse manuelle
Quel no de mouture me conseillez-vous?
Merci
J’ai acheté chez l’antiqluaire une cafetière en verre pirex des années 50 (stle percolateur?) et je me demandais quelle mouture utiliser. J’imagine une mouture grossière mais je veux m’assurer si c’est bien ça. J’attends donc votre réponse et vous en remercie à l’avance.
Merci pour cet article très explicite.