The wrong grind can ruin great coffee.
Grind size affects how quickly water extracts flavour from coffee. Too fine, and the water extracts too much, leaving your coffee tasting bitter. Too coarse, and it doesn't extract enough, resulting in a cup that can taste weak, sour, or lacking sweetness.
The key is matching your grind to your brewing method.
A simple rule to remember is this: the longer the brewing time, the coarser the grind. The shorter the brewing time, the finer the grind.
That's because different brewing methods spend different amounts of time in contact with the coffee. Espresso is brewed in around 25-30 seconds, so it needs a fine grind to extract enough flavour in a short amount of time. A French press steeps for several minutes, so it uses a much coarser grind to slow the extraction down.
A simple guide
| Brewing method | Recommended grind |
| Espresso | Fine |
| Moka pot | Medium-fine |
| Pour-over | Medium |
| Filter coffee | Medium |
| French press | Coarse |
| Cold brew | Extra coarse |
What your coffee is telling you
If your coffee doesn't taste quite right, grind size is one of the first things to check
| If your coffee tastes | Try this |
| Bitter or dry | A slightly coarser grind |
| Sour or lacking sweetness | A slightly finer grind |
| Weak or watery | A slightly finer grind, or a little more coffee |
Keep in mind that your coffee-to-water ratio, brewing time and water temperature also influence the final cup, but small changes to your grind can make a surprisingly noticeable difference.
Finding the right grind takes a little experimentation, but once you've got it dialled in, you'll get the best from your coffee, whatever your preferred brewing method.
If you're grinding your coffee at home, you're already giving yourself one of the biggest advantages when it comes to flavour. Explore our range of manual and electric grinders and find the right one for the way you brew.
