A poll: Is it really worth it to grind your coffee beans the day you're using them?

Lindsay-Jean Hard
  • 3386 views
  • 17 Comments

17 Comments

boulangere July 1, 2015
I have ever since I discovered the electric coffee mill after tasting freshly ground espresso in France as a graduate student. In some small way, to this day, every single morning, I am recreating that first dark, sweet sip. Clearly, it's not about the coffee, but about the memory, the experience. Heavenly.
 
cookbookchick July 1, 2015
Yes! My husband and I are in the grind-right-before-brewing camp. Because, why not? It takes mere seconds. I did draw the line, however, when my hubby started looking into roasting our own beans.. :-) We all have our limits!
 
boulangere July 1, 2015
We share the exact same limit.
 
Susan W. July 1, 2015
My mom also did that for a while. It was easy and kind of fun. I was not a coffee drinker then, so not sure how it compared to local, commercially roasted beans.
 
amysarah July 1, 2015
In a parallel perfect world, yes. But in reality, most weekday mornings I'm fine without. I don't feel lazy about it - any more than I feel lazy for using store bought stock or bread when necessary - which means not at all. Still manage to make the cuppa that gets me up and out.
 
Michael H. July 1, 2015
Yes. It's worth doing within *minutes* of when you're using them.
 
Hillary R. July 1, 2015
I always grind my coffee beans right before making a brew. Even with mediocre beans, it improves the flavor--I found that pre-ground stuff can be kind of tasteless.
 
creamtea July 1, 2015
Yes. I grind a small amount every day or two.
 
sdebrango July 1, 2015
I grind enough for several days at a time. I don't have time to grind it every day. Sometimes I am really lazy and grind it at the store when I can do it myself. I love coffee and maybe I am not a coffee connoisseur but I don't notice an appreciable difference.
 
paseo July 1, 2015
I am with you, but then I cold brew mine since I prefer iced coffee and like the lower acid. I do use an Italian roast for the deeper flavor but gave up grinding my own when I really could not notice enough of a difference to justify the counter space.
 
Susan W. July 1, 2015
I have my lb of coffee cold brewing on my counter as we speak. It's all I drink in the summer.
 

Voted the Best Reply!

PieceOfLayerCake July 1, 2015
Does it make a better cup? Absolutely! Just like freshly ground spices make a huge difference. In fact, coffee is often a spice in my kitchen.

Is it worth it when I'm just looking for a fast morning boost? Not generally.
 
Hillary R. July 1, 2015
A great comparison. The taste difference is similar. Pre-ground spices can taste kind of flavorless or plasticky.
 
Susan W. July 1, 2015
We always do that at my mom's house. She's 87 and has always done it. I have to admit, I am too lazy to do that. I want my coffee ready to go as easily as possible. I buy whole beans and grind about 1/4 at a time.
 
Caroline L. July 1, 2015
i think so! though sometimes i'll grind enough for just a few days and keep it in a jar.
 
Nancy July 1, 2015
same here. In theory yes, in practice not always. Most of the advice I read and experience with the aromatics, suggest that grinding immediately before brewing gives better taste. That said, I don't manage it every time. There is also advice out there to roast our own green coffee beans, but I haven't gone that far.
 
Greenstuff July 1, 2015
Yes.
 
Recommended by Food52