Coarse Ground Coffee – The Ultimate Guide To Brewing
Coffee is among the most widely consumed beverages globally, with millions of people indulging in a cup daily. Among the various types of coffee, coarse-ground coffee is favored by many. In this article, we will provide a detailed explanation of what precisely coarse-ground coffee is.
What Is Coarse Ground Coffee?
“Coarse ground coffee” refers to a particular size of coffee grind, often characterized by larger particles and a more (coarser) appearance. This type of grind is commonly used for brewing methods that involve repeatedly pouring hot water over the coffee grounds, such as French press, cold brew, or percolator coffee.
The larger particles of coarse-ground coffee result in a slower extraction process, allowing for a smoother and less bitter taste than finer-ground coffee. Additionally, coarse-ground coffee is less likely to pass through filters, making it ideal for methods where the coffee is in direct contact with water for an extended period.
Why Does Grind Size Matter?
The size of coffee grinds plays a vital role in determining the taste and quality of brewed coffee. This is because the grind size impacts the extraction rate of coffee compounds, which in turn affects the coffee’s flavor, aroma, and strength.
Different brewing methods require different grind sizes to optimize the extraction process. For instance, a French press requires a coarse grind for a slower extraction process, while an espresso machine needs a fine grind for a quick extraction. In summary, three main factors to consider when brewing coffee are: flow rate, extraction time, and contact time.
What Methods Use Coarse Ground Coffee?
Coarse ground coffee is typically used in brewing methods that require a longer extraction time and a slower extraction process, resulting in a bold and full-bodied cup of coffee. Here are some common methods that use coarse ground coffee:
- French Press: This brewing method involves steeping coarse ground coffee in hot water for several minutes before pressing a plunger down to separate the coffee from the grounds.
2. Cold Brew: In this method, coarse ground coffee is steeped in cold water for several hours, resulting in a smooth and less acidic brew.
3. Pour Over: Pour over coffee involves slowly pouring hot water over a bed of coarse ground coffee in a filter, allowing for a slow extraction process.
4. Percolator Coffee: A percolator uses boiling water to continuously cycle through a chamber of coarse ground coffee, resulting in a strong and robust cup of coffee.
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Whats The Difference Between Coarse And Fine Coffee?
The main difference between coarse and fine coffee lies in the brewing methods that they are best suited for. For example, coarse-ground coffee is commonly used for French press and cold brew methods, while fine-ground coffee is more suitable for stovetop espresso makers.
Another difference is the size of the coffee grounds; coarse-ground coffee has larger particles, while fine-ground coffee has smaller particles. As a result, coarse-ground coffee has a slower extraction rate and produces a milder flavor, while fine-ground coffee has a faster extraction rate and yields a stronger and more concentrated brew.
How To Grind Coarse Coffee At Home?
Grinding coarse coffee at home is pretty simple with the right equipment. Here are the steps you can follow:
- Choose the right grinder: You need a grinder with a coarse setting, such as a burr grinder. Overall best for achieving a consistent grind, but blade grinders can also work.
2. Measure your coffee beans: Determine how much coffee you need based on the serving size and grind enough beans to meet that amount. A good rule of thumb is to use 1 to 2 tablespoons of coffee for every 6 ounces of water.
3. Adjust the grinder settings: Set the grinder to the coarsest setting available. If using a burr grinder, adjust the settings to the appropriate coarseness level. For a blade grinder, pulse the beans until you reach the desired coarseness.
4. Grind the coffee: Place the coffee beans in the grinder and grind them until you achieve the desired coarseness level. For a burr grinder, this will usually take 10-15 seconds.
5. Check the grind: After grinding, check the consistency of the grind. Coarse coffee should have a grainy texture with larger particles that are visible.
6. Store the coffee: Transfer the coffee to an airtight container and store it in a cool, dry place until you’re ready to use it.
Top Coarse Coffee Brands
In this review article, we will be looking at the Top 5 Coarse Ground Coffee Brands relating to coarseness of coffee and how large the pieces are once the beans have been ground. With coarse ground coffee, the water takes longer to penetrate the beans and requires longer to absorb.
Stone Street Coffee
Stone Street is based in Brooklyn and has been roasting delicious coffee since 2009. This coffee is a Dark Roast and ideal for cold brew, resulting in a coffee that is not as acidic as a hot brew.
The blend of coffee is 100% Colombian, and the packaging has a special one-way degassing valve to improve the aroma and freshness. The company concentrates a lot of effort on ensuring freshness with each order in 1 lb pouches.
- COARSE GROUND COFFEE FOR COLD BREWING – We start with gourmet arabica coffee beans from Colombia, then we grind them to the perfect coarse ground size for optimal cold brew extraction. Our grounds are perfect for using in your at-home cold brew coffee maker or system, French press, pitcher, or mason jar.
- DARK ROAST COLOMBIAN SUPREMO – Our beans are classified as ‘supremo’ which are the largest and highest quality beans from Colombia. When these beans are dark roasted, it brings out the nutty/chocolate notes and makes the most delicious tasting cold brew coffee.
- STRONG & SMOOTH BLEND – Our coffee is specially formulated to make a bold, balanced, low-acid, slightly sweet cold brew or iced coffee. You can easily adjust the strength to make it extra strong (more coffee or longer brewing time) or even lighter (more water).
Pros
- Well packaged
Cons
- Several incidents of high residue reported
- Bags not resealable
Bizzy Organic Cold Brew Coffee
This organic coffee is a coarse ground coffee intended for cold brew use. The beans are Arabica sourced from Central and South America. They source the beans ethically with fair trade standards. It is a medium roast bean with sweet hazelnut and caramel flavoring. (Note: Contains no Hazlenut).
Furthermore described as very smooth and refreshing drink. Remember, cold brew coffee takes time to prepare. Brewing this product takes between 14-18 hours at room temperature.
- PERFECT BUNDLE FOR YOU - Now you can try the convenience of 2 coarse ground coffee variants in one bundle - for a DIY cold brew
- 100% ORGANIC - USDA Organic, ethically sourced coffee from Guatemala, Peru, and Nicaragua.
- LOW ACID - Cold brew is 67% less acidic than traditional coffee. It's coffee with the smoothest and least acidic taste.
Pros
- 100% Organic Coffee
- Not acidic
Cons
- Contains Hazelnuts, not made clear if you have allergies
- Slightly expensive
FAQ’S
Is Coarse Ground Coffee The Same As Ground Coffee?
No, coarse ground coffee is not the same as ground coffee. Ground coffee can be classified into different categories based on the size of the particles, with coarse ground coffee having larger particles compared to fine or medium ground coffee. So, while coarse ground coffee is a type of ground coffee, it is not the same as all ground coffee.
Does Using Coarse Ground Make Coffee Stronger?
No, a coarser coffee grind doesn’t make your coffee stronger. Depending on the brewing method, the preferred coffee blend makes it possible to make a strong cup. However, creating an under-brewed, weaker cup of coffee with a coarser grind is easier than a stronger one. Often the coffee grounds are not given the appropriate time needed for the coffee flavor to extract fully or brew in the water.
Specific methods or appliances that brew slowly work best with coarsely ground coffee, especially immersive brewing. Furthermore, a coarser coffee requires more time to develop into a strong coffee.
If you are willing to devote time to it, it is a great way to get delicious coffee. Often easier to make a mistake, leaving yourself with weak coffee that could be mistaken for decaffeinated.
Final Thoughts
The benefits of using coarse grind allow a slower extraction process with a larger surface area per granule. Furthermore, any immersion-style brew in contact with the overall surface is perfect.
Try the cold brew method with your coarse grounds, or invest in a French press machine to make some of the best quality coffee. Become your own barista – you may be surprised at the delicious coffee you can make when you switch things up or grind your coffee coarsely for a change.