How to Grind Coffee Correctly — Grind Size Guide

Grind size is one of the most important variables in coffee preparation. No amount of great coffee or an expensive machine will fix a bad grind. This guide will show you how to get it right.

You may have noticed that espresso from a café tastes different from what you make at home — even when using the same coffee. One of the most common reasons? Wrong grind size.

Grind size affects extraction time and which compounds are released from the coffee. Every brewing method requires a different grinder setting.

Why grind size matters

Grinding increases the surface area of the coffee that comes into contact with water. The finer the grind, the larger the surface — and the faster the extraction. Too fine for a given method = over-extracted coffee. Bitter, astringent, unpleasant. Too coarse = under-extracted. Sour, watery, flat.

Which grind size is right for you?

What happens when extraction goes wrong

Coffee beans contain nearly 200 different compounds. The pleasant fruity and floral notes are extracted first, bitterness comes last. An extraction that runs too long — caused by too fine a grind — pulls more from the coffee than you want.

Grind yourself, or have us do it?

The ideal is to grind just before brewing — aromatic compounds are released during grinding and fade quickly. If you don't have a grinder, we're happy to grind your coffee for free, calibrated to your chosen brewing method.

If you're thinking about getting your own grinder, browse our range — we carry both hand and electric models for every budget and brewing style.