Types of coffee grinders

There are several types of coffee grinders, each with its own features and benefits. Manual grinders require physical effort and allow for more fine-tuned grinds, ideal for espresso. Electric grinders provide a faster and more convenient grinding process, but require proper adjustment for optimal results.

Grind size

One of the key factors affecting the flavor of coffee is the grind size. Different coffee preparation methods (espresso, filter, French press and others) require different grind sizes. Espresso requires a finer grind and filter requires a coarser grind. With the right grinder, you can achieve the optimal grind for each brewing method. For professionals and sophisticated amateurs, Kofcheg offers personalized training workshops that include instruction on how to fine-tune the grind.

Adjusting the grinder

Most modern coffee grinders have the ability to adjust the grind level. This allows you to customize the grinder according to your preferences and coffee brewing requirements. Experiment with different settings to find the perfect grind for your taste.

Material and shape of the millstones

The millstones are the heart of the grinder, they are responsible for grinding the coffee beans. The material and shape of the millstones can affect the quality of the grind and the flavor of the coffee. Some coffee grinders have millstones made of steel, while others are made of ceramic. Ceramic millstones are generally considered to be stronger and less likely to heat up, thus preserving the aroma and flavor of the coffee.

Cleaning and maintenance

Regular cleaning and maintenance of your coffee grinder is essential to maintain its performance and grind quality. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for cleaning and maintaining the grinder. Removing coffee residue and regularly replacing the millstones (if required) will help maintain optimum grind quality and extend the life of the grinder.

Coffee bean quality

Keep in mind that the flavor of your beverage depends not only on the grinder, but also on the quality of the beans themselves. Use fresh and high quality coffee beans to get the best coffee flavor. Avoid buying pre-ground coffee as it loses its flavor properties quickly.

Experiment and enjoy

Don’t be afraid to experiment with grinder settings and coffee brewing methods. Try different grind sizes, different types of coffee and different brewing methods. Explore and enjoy the process of creating the perfect cup of coffee, because at the end of the day, flavor is an individual preference for each person.

Choosing and setting up a coffee grinder is an important step towards creating the perfect coffee flavor. By following the tips in this article, you will be able to choose the right grinder, customize it according to your preferences and get the highest quality and flavor of your coffee. Enjoy your coffee drinking!

The post Coffee Grinders: How to Choose and Customize for the Best Coffee Flavor appeared first on Coffee Investigator.

Why do you need a coffee filter?

Disposable coffee filter is actively used in kemex, kalitas and ravens, as well as – in the aeropress. Such a filter carries several important functions:

• saturates your drink with oxygen;
• prevents coffee particles from getting into your drink;
• traps the essential oils that are always released during the process.

Paper filter

The paper filter for brewing coffee didn’t appear until the turn of the 20th century. In Dresden, Germany, Melitta Benz was tired of finding particles of ground coffee in her cup. She experimented with various filtering materials, including her schoolboy son’s blotting paper. Within six months, the woman had already applied for a patent.

On July 8, 1908, the paper coffee filter was patented and Mrs. Bentz founded the Melitta Bentz Company. This is how this company, known to this day, made history.

Filter paper

The filter paper directly affects the taste of the coffee, making it delicious and flavorful. It is often dense but porous. This keeps coffee dust and grounds out of the cup, while water passes through the filter perfectly – and creates a light body and clean flavor in your drink.

Filter paper is differentiated by density:

• medium density paper is used for drip coffee makers;
• high density paper is used for kamex and kalitas.

It is important to realize that the density of the paper directly affects the rate of spillage of the drink. The denser the paper – the slower the spill. In order not to get an overly strong drink, it is better to use coarse coffee with a high density paper filter.

The paper for the filter can be:

• bleached (involves treatment with chlorine and oxygen, this method is sometimes called not too environmentally friendly, but it is guaranteed to get rid of the paper aftertaste);
• unbleached (a more environmentally friendly option without chlorine treatment, but it is believed that this sometimes gives the coffee a cardboard flavor).

Still, most modern processing technologies guarantee not only the safety of the filter for use, but also the absence of odors and flavors in the finished beverage.

An important advantage of a disposable paper filter is saving time. After all, after your favorite coffee was in your cup, the filter with coffee grounds can simply be thrown away. However, there is also the other side of the coin: one filter – one portion of coffee.

Which filters are better?

In the great debate about bleached and unbleached paper coffee filters, it all comes down to your preference: taste and the environmental impact of production.

If you prefer the most eco-friendly option, you should buy high-quality unbleached filters and rinse them well before use. On the other hand, if you’re concerned that your coffee might get a paper-like flavor even with a double rinse, choose bleached filters, ideally oxygen bleached. Such filters do not need to be rinsed.

And remember that quality matters! A cheap bleached filter can give your coffee a real paper taste, while a high quality unbleached filter can minimize this.

Do you need to wet your coffee filter?

You’ve probably noticed that most coffee filter recipes suggest pouring hot water through the paper filter first. Why is this done? It is believed that by doing so, the coffee can be rid of the paper flavor. By dousing the filter with boiling water (ideally twice) before brewing the coffee, the cleanest flavor can be obtained. This is called rinsing the coffee.

But again, quality filters usually do not impart extraneous flavors to the coffee. So filter rinsing is a conditional and optional process.

What is pre-soaking coffee?

Pre-soaking is the first stage of brewing before the main body of water is poured through the filter. To do this, ground coffee is poured into the filter, a little water is added, and you wait a few seconds for the coffee to soak in this water.

Why do you pre-soak coffee?

Pre-soaking artificially enhances the degassing process of freshly roasted coffee. Some people believe that this makes the brewing process more manageable and the flavor of the beverage better. Let’s find out if this is actually the case.

How do I calculate the volume of water for pre-soaking?

• It is recommended to use 2 grams of water per 1 gram of coffee;
• if the coffee portion is 17 grams, you need 34 grams of water;
• duration of the procedure: 35 seconds, then the main stage of the preparation of the beverage begins, namely the infusion of water.

In professional coffee literature, about which you can read more here, opinions on the necessity of pre-soaking and its purpose diverge.

For example, James Hoffman (“Atlas of Coffee”), specifies that there is no scientific explanation why pre-soaking makes coffee taste better. However, in practice, coffee brews more correctly and fully if this step is still carried out. The author attributes this phenomenon to the release of carbon dioxide from the coffee.

The post Coffee Filter: Selection, Wetting and Pre-Wetting appeared first on Coffee Investigator.