As coffee brews, all the amazing flavours are released from the grounds as they come into contact with hot water. This is called extraction. The coffee grind size determines the speed at which extraction happens, which in turn affects the taste, aroma, texture and the end result.
Coarse grinds let water through quickly, and have less surface area to extract flavours from. This means the water needs longer to bring the goodness out. A fine grind is packed tighter and has a larger surface area, so needs less time in contact with the water.
So, brew methods with a short brew time, like espresso, need a fine grind – and longer brews, such as French press, need a coarser one.
Our burr grinder (coffee grinder) has 70 grind settings so you can experiment and fine tune the grind size, to find the one that suits your brew method, and your taste.
Here's a guide to help you choose:
| Coffee type | Grind size | Grind size range | Dose selection | Use setting with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French press | Coarse | 1-24 | 1-12 cups | Bottom hopper |
| Percolation | Medium coarse | 25-35 | 1-12 cups | Bottom hopper |
| Drip coffee | Medium | 36-54 | 1-12 cups | Bottom hopper |
| Espresso | Fine | 55-70 | 1-2 shots | Portafilter holder |