Coffee dispute question, help needed???

Question

OK. Major dispute between hubby and myself. Here is the question:

What is the difference in the size of the grind in coffee?

We grind our own beans and disagree on how fine of a grind to do, so please give explanation on ALL grinds. Thanks so much in advance. Any web sites for verification would be welcomed as well.

Answer 1

Usually Espresso coffee is finer and coffee for filters is coarser. Espresso coffee can be finer because the water comes at greater pressure and can bring out the flavour more.

The more area of the coffee bean is uncovered (the finer the coffee is ground), the more flavor there is in theory. However, in my experience, the finer coffee also goes bad sooner when exposed to air and if used in a filters, the coffee for some reason tastes weaker.

With light or medium roasts, finely ground coffee can also taste a bit bitter.

I think the coarser grain also gives of better flavour if there are more cups of coffee,  letting the grain soak more moisture (think: miniature tea bags).

Would stick with the basic: fine grains for espresso, coarser for filters. Seems to work best.

Answer 2

These things are all insiders secret.

If you buy espresso coffe from an  outside insider, you'll get pretty well levied on that.

It took me 30 yrs to figure out those secrets, and I drink my own of the best, I go to Starbucks only watching the girls meanwhile of my coffee.

Answer 3

ROAST is what affects the strength of the coffee, not grind.  The more it's roasted, the stronger it is (yet the less caffeine it has!) - French & Italian roasts are generally the strongest...... Each type of machine requires a different type of grind.  Espresso machines are very fine ... ranging to Toddy systems, which require very coarse.  Perk / coffee makers usually require a medium grind.   The manuals on your various coffeepots should state which grind is recommended for each coffeepot/machine......