The ideal fineness (or coarseness) of your ground coffee depends mainly on what type of brewing method you are going to use. In general, if you brew coffee that is ground too coarse, the coffee can be under-extracted (weak), and less flavorful.

If your coffee is ground too fine, however, the coffee can be over-extracted and bitter. Small changes in grind size can drastically affect the taste of your final brew.

How to identify your grind size

  • Coarse: Distinct, chunky, pieces of coffee beans. Like heavy kosher salt.

  • Medium: Gritty texture with visible flakes. Like very coarse sand.

  • Fine: Much smoother texture. Like table salt, maybe a little finer.

  • Extra Fine: Coffee grains still barely discernible. Finer than granular sugar.

  • Turkish: Powdered with no grains. Blade grinders cannot grind this fine. Like flour.


GRIND SIZE vs. BREWING METHOD CHART

(How to select the right grind size)

Grind Size

Ideal Brewing Method

COARSE

  • Plunger Pot

  • French Press

  • Percolator

  • Vacuum coffee pot

MEDIUM

  • Drip coffee makers with flat bottom filters (BUNN, Bloomfield, etc.)

FINE

  • Drip coffee makers with cone shaped filters (KRUPS, Cusinart, etc.)

  • Espresso moka pots

EXTRA FINE

  • Espresso machines - pump

  • Espresso machines - steam

TURKISH

  • Ibik