Coffee Grind Sizes

Understanding Coffee Grind Sizes

Coffee is a beverage brewed from roasted and ground beans. The more finely ground beans are, the more surface area is exposed, resulting in faster extraction of taste (and caffeine). Pairing the right grind size with brewing equipment is essential to get the perfect cup.

Ground Coffee vs. Coffee Beans

Whole beans last longer than ground coffee. That's because they retain carbon dioxide, which prevents oxidation and staling, and can be stored at room temperature for up to two weeks. The more surface area of ground beans are exposed to oxygen, the more likely they'll lose their flavor. Because ground coffee can retain its flavor for only a short period, it's better to buy ground coffee in small quantities.

 

Extra Coarse

Similar to ground peppercorns, this is the largest type of ground coffee.

Suits this brewing method:

  • Cold brew


Coarse

Ground coffee that looks similar to sea salt. This grind is best used for French press.

Suits these brewing methods:

  • French press
  • Percolators


Medium Coarse

Not quite medium but not quite coarse—this grind size mimics coarse/rough sand.

Suits these brewing methods:

  • Chemex
  • Clever dripper
  • Cafe solo brewer


Medium

A great starting point for testing your brew, this grind size has the consistency of regular sand.

Suits these brewing methods:

  • Flat bottomed drip coffee makers
  • Cone-shaped pour-over coffee makers
  • Aeropress (with 3+ minutes brewing time)
  • Siphon brewers


Medium Fine

If you love pour over coffee, like us, you'll need a medium fine grind size. It’s finer than sand, but not as fine as an espresso grind.

Suits these brewing methods:

  • Cone-shaped pour-over brewers (e.g. Hario V60, Kalita wave, etc.)
  • Aeropress (with a 2-3 minute brewing time)


Fine

A common grind size used in coffee shops, this size is a little finer than table salt.

Suits these brewing methods:

  • Espresso brewing (with or without a machine)
  • Aeropress (with a 1-2 minute brewing time)
  • Stovetop espresso


Extra Fine

This rare grind size is achieved through a Turkish coffee grinder. Its consistency is similar to flour or powder.

Suits this brewing method:

  • Ibrik (Turkish coffee)