How to grind espresso beans

Video: Understanding Espresso - Grind Size (Episode #4)

Content

Method 2 of 4: Rotary grinder (including manual)
Method 3 of 4: Caring for your grinder
Method 4 of 4: How to get the best results
Tips
What do you need

1 Determine your grinder type. These machines use small rotating discs that thoroughly grind each grain, resulting in a more uniform grind. Often times, an espresso grinder has millstones, but sometimes they can be purchased separately, only they can cost several hundred dollars.

Low speed burr grinders will heat less beans during grinding, but they can be more expensive than high speed grinders.
Both conical and flat grinders have their own advantages; it is impossible to say which is definitely better.

2 Place the beans in the grinder. You can grind as many beans at a time as will fit in your grinder, but keep in mind that the ground coffee will lose its freshness in a day or two. If you only want to grind the beans into one cup of coffee, you can experiment and see how many beans you make. In general, 1 tablespoon (15 ml) is sufficient, but the taste will differ depending on the type of coffee beans and grind size. Regardless of how many beans you use, one serving of espresso is 7 grams of ground coffee - enough to fill the filter of the coffee machine with a heap.

3 Select the degree of grind. The grind level can be selected on almost every burr grinder. You may want to grind the espresso to a medium to fine grind. Some models have a scale in numbers, in which case it is best to experiment with several settings to see which grind you like best.

The type of grind that suits one type of coffee bean may need to be changed for another. If you frequently change the type of coffee beans, you may need to write down which settings are suitable for different types of coffee.

4 Test the ground coffee. Take a pinch of ground coffee with your thumb and forefinger, separate them and observe the grind. If the coffee does not clump and breaks down, grind it again. If it is a powder that leaves a mark on your finger, it is too fine to make good coffee. Well-ground coffee that crumples on your fingers, ideal for espresso.

The burr grinder should deliver consistent results until it becomes unusable after many uses. Once you've found the perfect grind for a particular type of coffee beans, you don't have to keep testing them every time.

Method 2 of 4: Rotary grinder (including manual)

1 Determine your grinder type. If it has rotating knives, follow these instructions. Basically, these grinders have a detachable plastic cover, and in order to turn them on, you need to press it. But some models are turned on instead by a button or a knob. Such machines will not be able to grind coffee as evenly and finely as high quality burr grinders, but they are usually much cheaper.
2 Place the beans in the grinder. Some machines hold a small handful of beans, so if you are making many espressos, you may need to grind several batches of coffee. Do not try to force as much coffee into the grinder as possible, otherwise you will not be able to close the lid.
3 Grind the beans at short intervals of 2-3 seconds. If you grind the beans for too long, they can overheat due to friction, and the coffee will turn out bitter. Instead, run the grinder for no more than 3 seconds and take 2 second breaks.
4 Stop when the beans have been ground for a total of 20 seconds. Grinding time depends on the grinder model and the sharpness of the blades. However, since espresso is usually made with a finer grind than coffee with a manual grinder, you can hardly grind it too finely. Grind the coffee for at least 20 seconds, not counting breaks.
5 Test the ground coffee. Unplug the grinder and remove the cover. If there are visible pieces of coffee beans, grind the coffee a few more times. When the grind is fine enough, take a pinch between your thumb and forefinger. When the coffee is ready, there should be lumps on your fingertips and not fall apart.
- You may not be able to get a perfect grind with this type of grinder. If the appliance does not grind above the consistency described, you can grind the beans until there are no visible pieces.
6 Remove any grind residue from the grinder. It usually contains lumps of coffee stuck in it. Immediately after you grind the grains, scoop up any leftovers with a spoon. If they continue to sit in the grinder, and you grind the coffee further, they can burn and add an unpleasant taste to your espresso.

Method 3 of 4: Caring for your grinder

1 To avoid injury, unplug the grinder from the outlet before cleaning it, otherwise you may accidentally turn it on while your fingers are inside.
2 Use a vacuum cleaner or compressed air to remove coffee residues as they build up in the grinder. They remain on the working elements of any type of grinder, slowing down their work and sometimes adding a specific flavor to the ground coffee. If you notice these effects or see dried coffee inside the machine, remove it using a vacuum cleaner tube or a compressed air canister. If leftovers cannot be removed, scoop out with a spoon.
3 Wipe down the inside of the grinder from time to time. The oil from the coffee beans can stick to the walls and impart a specific flavor to the grind. If possible, remove the drum where the coffee is ground and rinse it with water. If your grinder cannot be disassembled, wipe the inside with a slightly damp paper towel to prevent electrical short circuits. After washing and wiping, dry the drum with a clean towel.
4 Wash or replace the millstones. In most burr grinders, you can detach the outer burrs by unscrewing the ring that secures them. In other devices, you need to clean the millstones without loosening them. Every few weeks (or more often if you use the grinder every day) clean the burrs with a new toothbrush or small, clean brush. If, even after cleaning, the grinder does not grind well enough, you may need to purchase new grinders from the manufacturer.
- Some people run rice or other objects through a grinder to clean out any leftover coffee, but this can shorten the life of the grinder.

Method 4 of 4: How to get the best results

1 Try different types of espresso beans. They are roasted specifically for espresso coffee and are likely to produce better results than regular coffee beans. There is a huge variety of espresso beans, and the basic difference is the lighter Arabica and the darker Robusta. Despite the fact that espresso is more concentrated and darker than regular coffee, this does not mean that you need to use coffee blends that contain a large amount of Robusta. A mixture containing only 10-15% of Robusta grains will give a dark and "nibbling" espresso without the additional and often unpleasant aftertaste that occurs due to the increased concentration of Robusta.
2 Store grains in a cool, dry place. Find a dark corner at the back of your kitchen cabinet or cupboard. Do not put grains in the refrigerator, where they can absorb food odors and moisture. For storage, use any container with an airtight and waterproof lid. But even when storing grains in this way, they quickly lose their quality after one to two weeks.
- Freezing can cause espresso beans to retain or lose their flavor. However, when you open a container with frozen grains, harmful moisture condenses on them. Divide the beans into several containers so that you don't open each one as often as possible. Close them tightly to remove most of the air.
3 Grind the beans right before preparing the espresso. Coffee will retain its freshness better in the form of beans than grinding. For best results, try to use all the ground coffee within a few days.
4 When you change the type of coffee beans, grind a few beans first to remove any remnants of the previous type. You can either use the resulting mixture by making a blended coffee or throw it away.