You may have heard the term “coarse ground coffee” and wonder what it means exactly. This refers to coffee that is ground with larger coffee bean particles, making it less bitter than it would be with finer grounds.
Great for use in a French press, coarse ground coffee comes in three different types:
- Coarse ground coffee — Texture of kosher salt
- Medium–coarse ground coffee— Texture of beach sand
- Extra–coarse ground coffee — Texture of sea salt
There are many pros and cons to this type. In the pro column, the taste is less bitter than fine ground coffee and it’s easier to make because it requires less effort, time and machinery. In the con column, it takes a longer roasting time to truly bring out the flavors, and it can produce under-extracted coffee.
There are two main types of grinds: fine and coarse. Each one has its own benefits and drawbacks, with brewing process and water temperature being the most important factors. Even if the coffee grind size is right, the temperature and duration could be off. It’s a delicate balance that can be perfected over time. Fine grounds are recommended for expresso while coarse is recommended for cold brew or French Press.
Fine vs. Coarse Ground Coffee
In general, a finer grind results in a stronger flavor, while a coarser grind is milder. In either case, when it comes to coffee grinds, size does matter. The size of your coffee grounds can spell the difference between a cup of rich, roasted coffee and a mug of watered down dishwater brew.
Coffee is impacted by how quickly water extracts flavor compounds from the grounds, as well as the brewing duration. Coarser coffee grounds are larger, with less surface area than beans that are more finely ground. As such, water can flow more freely while retaining flavor longer.
Finer grounds, on the other hand, have greater surface area and tend to slow down the flow of water. This slower process means more sustained contact with the grounds, resulting in faster extraction. When brewing goes on too long after extraction, the resulting brew is bitter. Every ground type has its perfect brewing method.
So which type of coarse ground coffee should you use with each method?
- Extra Coarse Grind: This requires the longest brewing methods to extract the flavor which is why this is the best coarse ground coffee for cold brew.
- Coarse Grind: Commonly used in French presses, this brings a long brewing time to aid in extraction, yet the larger grinds won’t slip through the mesh strainer.
- Medium-Coarse: You can use this for French presses, but the best use is with drip coffee and percolator methods.
- Medium: These are best used in single-cup brewers and pour-over brewers.
- Medium-Fine: These are best used with piston-style brewers.
- Fine: Best used with piston-style brewers and espresso machines.
- Extra Fine: This is best used for Turkish coffee, which brings a unique brewing method involving heating the flour-like grounds with water.
Buy Coarse Ground Coffee From Spartan Coffee Company Today!
Wondering where to buy coarse ground coffee near you? Look no further than Spartan Coffee, located at 1750 Washington Street in Boston, MA. We can be reached at 351-667-5687 if you have any questions about fine vs. coarse ground coffee. In the meantime, browse our shop and pick up some of the best coarse ground coffee for percolators you will ever taste.