Beginners Guide to Manual Coffee Grinding Perfection.

A Beginner’s Guide to Manual Coffee Grinding Perfection

Coffee is more than just a beverage for many of us—it’s a passion that transcends explanation. For some, manual coffee grinding is either a taboo or another deep, meaningful part of the coffee journey. While it might seem like a simple task, it’s actually an intimate process that brings out the very essence of the coffee experience.

For me, coffee started as a basic necessity during my time in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). As a teenager, I was introduced to instant coffee. The standard request in the Air Force was always the same: “white with two,” referring to coffee with two sugars. This ritual was the norm across every tech or crew room I visited, a comforting constant in a busy life. It wasn’t until much later that I discovered the world of espresso machines, and when I did, it truly changed my perception of coffee forever.

The Pre-Ground vs. Beans Dilemma

coffee beans, cup, coffee cup-2258839.jpg

For many years, I was content with pre-ground coffee. I used my first coffee machine without the option to grind my own beans, so it never seemed necessary. Pre-ground coffee seemed to do the job, and I settled on a brand, Vitoria coffee, which became a staple for me. While the flavor was generally satisfactory, I always had a sense that there was more to home brewing, even on a budget.

My coffee journey took a significant turn about nine months ago when I decided to dive into manual coffee grinding. I had always been curious, but I had been hesitant, thinking that pre-ground coffee would always suffice. However, the allure of grinding my own beans became too strong to resist.

De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Coffee Machine – Amazon.com
De’Longhi Nespresso Essenza Mini – Amazon.com
De’Longhi Signature Blend Coffee Beans – Amazon.com
L’OR Espresso Grande Assortment Pack 100 Pods – Amazon.com

Is Manual Coffee Grinding Just a Waste of Time?

When you’re used to the convenience of pre-ground coffee, the idea of grinding your own beans may seem like a time-consuming and unnecessary chore. It’s a question many ask when considering the option to grind at home instead of buying coffee at a café. But once you experience the freshness and flavor of a cup made from freshly ground coffee, you’ll see that the effort is well worth it.

Choosing the right coffee beans for manual grinding is an adventure in itself. The process of experimenting with different beans, grind sizes, and methods can be frustrating at first, but it is also incredibly rewarding. As you embark on this journey, patience is key. You may not get everything perfect on the first try, but the experience of refining your craft is part of the fun.

Discovering the Right Beans

When shopping for beans, especially at a specialty coffee shop, it’s a good idea to ask the staff about the flavor profiles of the different beans. Many coffee shops, especially those that are passionate about their offerings, will allow you to sample the beans directly by simply asking for a single bean to try. By chewing on the bean, you can get a better sense of its flavor, which will be the same once it’s ground.

In my case, I frequented a local coffee shop at the Adelaide Market in Australia, where the owners encouraged me to take a bite of the coffee bean before purchasing. The flavors you taste by chewing the beans are the same ones you’ll experience when brewed, offering a true preview of what your coffee will taste like.

The flavor notes of coffee can vary significantly, ranging from light, medium, or dark roasts to more complex flavor profiles like chocolate, fruit, or nutty undertones. Some common flavor descriptors include:

Sour: A sharp, acidic taste
Sweet: A sugary, caramel-like taste
Bitter: A strong, pungent taste
Fruity: A taste reminiscent of berries or citrus
Nutty: A taste reminiscent of almonds or hazelnuts

Understanding these flavor profiles will help you select beans that align with your preferences and guide your manual coffee grinding journey.

My First Experience with Manual Coffee Grinding

My entry into the world of manual coffee grinding began with an inexpensive hand grinder I found for about $10. At first, the idea of grinding my own beans seemed unnecessary, especially since I was accustomed to pre-ground coffee. But curiosity led me to purchase the grinder, and the process of discovering the right grind size and flavor was both fun and educational.

I purchased a batch of medium-roast Thai coffee beans from a local department store, intrigued by the local varieties. The beans were priced at 375 THB (roughly $10 USD) for 500 grams, which seemed like a good deal. After giving my manual grinder a proper cleaning, I set to work, placing the fresh beans into the grinder and adjusting the grind size to find the right balance.

My first experience grinding my own coffee was surprisingly satisfying. The grinder was simple, with a rotary handle and a small glass base that caught the ground coffee. At first, I didn’t adjust the grinder settings too much, opting for a baseline grind to see how it worked. The grind was coarser than the pre-ground coffee I had been using, but it was a good starting point.

De’Longhi Electric Coffee Grinder – Amazon.com
Travel Coffee Mug Spill Proof, Coffee Mug – Amazon.com
Evanda Coffee Mugs Set of 6 – Amazon.com
Lavazza, Qualità Rossa, 1 Kg, Ground Coffee -s Amazon.com

Brewing My First Cup

After grinding the coffee, I prepared my long-trusted Sunbeam Café Coffee Maker, which I’ve carried around the world with me over the years. Despite its age and simple design, it was the perfect tool to make my first brew with freshly ground coffee. I carefully measured out the coffee, leveling the grounds in the coffee basket before brewing.

The aroma from the brewing coffee was unlike anything I had experienced with pre-ground coffee. It was deep, aromatic, and filled the room with a rich fragrance. After steaming my milk, I poured it into the freshly brewed coffee, creating a smooth, velvety latte. The result was far superior to anything I had made with pre-ground coffee, with a richer, more complex flavor and a smoother mouthfeel.

Overcoming the Pitfalls of Home Coffee Making

Like many new coffee enthusiasts, I made a few mistakes along the way. Initially, I got a little too confident and ground the coffee to a much finer consistency. This resulted in a clogged coffee filter and a mess to clean up. But after a few trial-and-error sessions, I found the right grind size for my machine—about 4-5 clicks from the finest setting.

Overpouring the coffee also proved to be a mistake. I learned that a 12-15 second pour produces the best results. Anything longer than that can result in a watery, weak brew. The key to a great cup of coffee is consistency, not excess. The more you practice, the more you’ll learn to adjust your technique for the perfect cup.

The Journey Continues

After nine months of experimenting with manual coffee grinding, I’ve found a routine that works for me. I no longer visit my local coffee shop more than once or twice a month, thanks to the consistent, flavorful results I get from grinding my own beans at home. The joy of making my own coffee, from grinding the beans to brewing the perfect cup, has become one of my daily pleasures.

While I don’t adhere to precise measurements or overcomplicated rituals, I’ve found that a few simple adjustments to my technique have allowed me to achieve excellent results every time. If you’re on the fence about manual coffee grinding, I highly recommend giving it a try. It’s a journey worth embarking on—and the results are well worth the effort.

By embracing the manual coffee grinding process, you’ll gain greater control over the flavor and freshness of your coffee, and you’ll likely never go back to pre-ground coffee again. Happy grinding!

Author

Brendon McAliece is a multi-lingual expat who brings over three decades of flight simulator/PC building experience as well as over two decades of real-world jet fighter experience as a weapons/egress technician.

He holds a sport pilot certificate giving him real-world flying experience. Hi travels have taken him from Europe to the Middle East, Asia and his home of Australia. He has a passion for travel, languages, Flight simulation as well as Guitaring and Coffee.

DreamingCoffee.com