Does Grinding Coffee Finer Make It Stronger?
Fine or coarse coffee beans? That’s an important question for those looking to be involved in making coffee. You may wonder if you’re grinding too finely or not finely enough. Grind size affects the outcome of the coffee, so it’s a valid concern.
That said, grind size does not affect coffee flavor. It affects flavor because of its impact on extraction time. Finer grinds create more surface area for coffee, resulting in a robust flavor. So, that’s both grind size and extraction time factoring into the equation.
That’s the short answer to why fine grinds can lead to more decadent, more robust coffee. But there’s also a longer, more complex answer you can find in our coffee grinding guide.
The Relationship Between Grind Size and Coffee Flavor
Now that you know how coffee grinds can affect coffee flavor let’s dive a little deeper into the science of it all. When brewing coffee, the soluble form of coffee beans transforms into liquid.
When grinds are more refined, the soluble becomes more densely packed. This slows down extraction time. Coffee beans ground more finely are exposed to the water for longer periods, and that’s why they tend to taste stronger.
As water passes through the beans’ wider surface area, it collects more flavor. The longer this goes on, the stronger the flavor becomes. However, be careful not to over-extract, as that could be as bad as not extracting enough.
At first, you may think that tinier particles would result in more permeable grounds that make it easier for water to pass through. However, finely ground beans become densely packed when brewed, making it more difficult for water to penetrate through them. This slows down the extraction process. Water also has to deal with these finer particles’ larger surface area, which would have to pass through the beans longer, extracting more flavor from them.
Furthermore, finer grinds are denser and take up less space. Hence, when measuring with a scoop, you may think you’re using the same amount of coffee, but it’s more. A finer grind means coffee is more concentrated.
Grind Size and Brewing Methods
How does grind size impact the different methods of brewing coffee? Among the factors determining coffee flavor is grind size, roast, coffee preparation method.
Selecting an extraction method means considering the following factors: the amount of time water comes into contact with the grinds, extraction ratio, and water pressure used during the process. These three elements can differ, depending on your chosen method.
Generally, it would take longer to extract from fine grinds than coarse grinds. Because extraction time is longer, the coffee also becomes stronger. However, it is worth noting that overdoing or playing down things from the extraction-time end can ruin the flavor of your coffee.
Grind size and brewing methods should match to create exceptional coffee. When finely ground coffee is brewed for too long, it can taste too bitter. Similarly, brewing coarse ground beans too quickly can result in a bland and flavorless brew, as there would not have been time for all the flavors to be extracted.
To ensure that you don’t under-extract, choose the ideal brewing method for your grind type selected. Coarse ground beans tend to suit slower extraction methods, while finely ground coffee usually works best with faster extraction.
Drip Coffee
In this process, water drips slowly through the coffee grinds. This type of extraction generally calls for coarse to medium-coarse grinds to deliver rich-tasting coffee.
Single-Cup Coffee
Like the traditional drip coffee machines, single-cup coffee makers release water and coffee extracts into a cup positioned under the spout. Again, coarse to medium-coarse coffee grinds are ideal for this brewing method.
French Press
A French Press extracts flavor from coffee beans for a couple of minutes. You press down on the grounds and leave the liquid coffee on top. That’s how you get great-tasting French-pressed coffee.
So, What Brewing Method Is Best for Finely Ground Coffee Beans?
Selecting the ideal brewing method for finely ground coffee should make all the difference in taste and flavor. If you’re working with acceptable grounds, use a technique that has a fast extraction process.
That’s why finer grounds are great for brewing espressos since they require high-pressure extraction processes. When you speed up brewing time, the grinds don’t get over-extracted. Instead, they produce a perfectly balanced brew that is neither too strong nor bitter-tasting.
