No one can explain the joy you feel when you take home a bag of thoughtfully-roasted and well-rested specialty coffee beans. As you open your bag of whole bean Arabica coffee, its aroma will quickly embrace you, making you want to brew a cup.
The way to make the freshest coffee possible is to grind your own beans every day, and the easiest way to do this is with a proper coffee grinder.
If you don’t own a grinder or recently discovered the tragic breakdown of your old, trusty workhorse, what could you do? Fortunately, there are ways for you to grind your beans without a grinder until you get one.
In this article, we'll give you the lowdown on how to grind your coffee for espresso and drip coffee with kitchen items you have at home. By going through our quick guide, you'll get to prevent coffee-less days forever!
Different Ways To Grind Coffee
Mortar and Pestle
One of the most common kitchen items many homeowners have lying around is a mortar and pestle, especially since it's simple and effective in grinding up spices.
When you grind specialty coffee with a mortar and pestle, you get more control over your grind size, which is incredibly important when grinding coffee.
To use a mortar and pestle, simply fill the mortar about one-fourth of the way with your chosen beans. Secure the mortar with one hand and use the other to grind the coffee with the pestle by making a circular motion.
- Repeat the swirling and hammering until you get the desired consistency.
- Only grind small amounts of beans at a time. This will ensure the most consistent grind.
- With a mortar and pestle you can grind anything from coarse to a super fine grind.
Blender
If you're in a rush and need coffee right away, your trusty blender can do the trick. Fortunately, some blenders include a "grinder" setting, so it can help you out in situations such as this.
To use a blender, simply select the "grinder" setting on the device or set the blender to a higher speed. Pour a small amount of beans into your blender and secure the lid. You want to begin grinding in small bursts so you can gauge the grind size of your coffee.
Besides that, when you keep your blender running, you increase the chances of overheating the oils in your coffee, which could lead to bitter-tasting notes. An on-and-off technique and tilting your blender from side to side as you grind will push larger chunks into the blade, giving you a better and consistent grind size.
- After using the blender make sure to wash it thoroughly to remove the coffee aroma.
- A blender is not really an ideal grinder, you won't get a consistent or fine grind. A blender can work for achieving a coarser grind for french press.
- Pulse the beans in short bursts to prevent the blades from heating up and cooking up the beans.
How Fine or Coarse Should My Coffee Be?
Depending on your brewing method, your coffees must be either coarse or fine. If you plan to brew using a french press method, you'll want a coarse grind for your coffees. As for Moka pots and espresso machines, you'll need finer grounds for high-pressure coffee devices like these. If you want to do a pour-over method, a medium grind is ideal.
Fortunately, if you wish to have your coffee ground before heading home, specialty coffee shops can help you with that. However, once you grind your coffee, it may become stale faster and lose its unique notes. To avoid this, simply transfer your coffee to an airtight container and keep them in your cupboard away from heat, sun, and moisture.
The Bottom Line: No Grinder Doesn't Mean No Coffee For You
Fortunately, simple kitchen equipment can help you turn your frown upside down and give you great-tasting coffee. All you need to do is buy a bag of delicious specialty coffee, grab the kitchen device of your choice, and follow our quick guide above — you'll get your much-needed coffee kick in no time!
Are You Looking For Coffee Roasters in Naples, FL?
One of the best ways to elevate your coffee experience is by heading to a specialty coffee shop and trying fantastic coffee and bringing a bag home, and a great place to do that is with us at Kunjani.
We are a women-owned, small-batch specialty coffee shop and roaster who pride ourselves in focusing on sustainable efforts, consistent roasting, and ethical practices from sourcing to roasting. Visit our shop or order coffee beans online today!
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