We're often asked whether you need a coffee grinder at home or if you can simply buy pre-ground coffee from us. Spoiler alert: We offer both! Whole beans and pre-ground coffee! But which is practical, and more importantly, which tastes better? In our blog, we'll objectively list the pros and cons, and then it's your turn to decide whether you need a coffee grinder at home or not. So grab your favorite mug and find out in our blog – enjoy!
Whole beans - The advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
- Your coffee stays fresher for longer.
- Your coffee is less sensitive to environmental influences such as humidity.
- Your coffee can be freshly ground for various preparation methods.
- Your coffee can be ground individually to your needs.
Disadvantages:
- You definitely need a mill.
- Especially at the beginning, a lot of practice is necessary to find the right grind for the preparation method and personal preferences.
- A coffee grinder inevitably makes a mess, requires more work, and takes up space.
- Potentially high acquisition costs.
Ground coffee - The advantages and disadvantages
Of course, we could turn this list upside down, but we'll still list all the pros and cons for you here!
Advantages:
- You don't need a separate mill, saving space and money.
- No extra time is needed to adjust the coffee grinder at home and prepare the coffee.
- The coffee grinder at the coffee roastery is usually very high quality and grinds your coffee perfectly for the desired preparation method.
Disadvantages:
- Ground coffee ages faster and therefore needs to be used up more quickly, or it makes more sense to buy smaller quantities, which can be more expensive in the long run.
- Ground coffee is very sensitive to environmental influences such as moisture, heat and air - keyword oxidation!
- You can only use your coffee for this one preparation method.
- In terms of taste, it usually doesn't come close to freshly ground coffee.
What happens when coffee is ground?
Grinding coffee, whether in a roastery or at home with a coffee grinder, sets a series of complex chemical processes in motion. The cell structure is broken down, releasing aromatic compounds. These compounds are responsible for the characteristic taste and aroma. The grinding process increases the surface area of the coffee, which in turn contributes to the intense flavor. During brewing, water can better circulate around the surface, come into more efficient contact with the coffee particles, and thus ensure a comprehensive extraction of the aromas. The quality of the coffee grinder, the grinding process, and the time elapsed before use are strong indicators of the quality of the final product.
What is the oxidation of coffee?
Ground coffee reacts with oxygen – it literally oxidizes. This process begins during grinding and only stops once the coffee is brewed. Oxidation alters the coffee's flavor profile, leading to a loss of aroma and, of course, freshness. Therefore, ground coffee should be used as soon as possible and/or stored in well-sealed containers. Incidentally, whole beans also oxidize, so coffee, whether ground or not, should always be well-sealed and consumed relatively quickly. After all, it's a food product!
Why is packaging so important?
As mentioned before, whether you're buying whole beans or ground coffee, the packaging is crucial for your taste experience. Coffee is a delicate product and reacts to its environment – usually negatively. To optimally protect your favorite coffee and ensure a consistently delicious experience, you should pay attention to the following aspects of your packaging:
- Airtight
- Protection from moisture
- Aroma valve (This allows CO2 to escape while oxygen reaches the coffee)
- Resealable
These qualities are directly achieved by good packaging (we, of course, only use very high-quality packaging!). Therefore, while a pretty coffee tin might look nice on the shelf, it actually harms your coffee. However, there are a few professional-grade tins that meet these requirements – for those who truly don't want to see a coffee bag.
When does coffee taste best?
Now you might think: Of course, freshly roasted coffee! Unfortunately, that's not quite right. Freshly roasted coffee straight from the roaster actually tastes rather bad. This is because coffee needs to "degas" after roasting so that it can fully develop its aromas. It releases excess carbon dioxide, and this process simply takes time. Around 14 days after the roasting date, it's perfectly degassed and ready to drink. However, there are still differences; a particularly dark roast can sometimes take up to four weeks to reach its optimal flavor. With ground coffee, you should make sure to use it up quickly, as many aromas literally disappear shortly after grinding.
And how long does the coffee keep?
Please don't confuse the optimal "enjoyment period" with the best-before date. For artisanal roasters, this is usually set at one year after the roasting date, and the coffee will easily stay at this temperature for that long, especially if stored properly. For optimal flavor, we recommend opening and consuming the coffee within six months. It tastes best between two weeks and three months after the roasting date.
We've given you a comprehensive overview of whole bean vs. ground coffee, and now it's up to you to decide whether you need a coffee grinder at home or would prefer to buy pre-ground coffee. We hope we've helped you make a well-informed decision! If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. As partners of ECM and Profitec, we can definitely help you choose the right coffee grinder for your home! For even more tips on machines and proper preparation, why not join our Barista Basics course ? There you'll receive even more valuable tips and insights into coffee and latte art!
Your SIMON & Bearns Team
Do I need a coffee grinder at home? - Whole bean vs. ground coffee
We're often asked whether you need a coffee grinder at home or if you can simply buy pre-ground coffee from us. Spoiler alert: We offer both! Whole beans and pre-ground coffee! But which is practical, and more importantly, which tastes better? In our blog, we'll objectively list the pros and cons, and then it's your turn to decide whether you need a coffee grinder at home or not. So grab your favorite mug and find out in our blog – enjoy!
Whole beans - The advantages and disadvantages
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
Ground coffee - The advantages and disadvantages
Of course, we could turn this list upside down, but we'll still list all the pros and cons for you here!
Advantages:
Disadvantages:
What happens when coffee is ground?
Grinding coffee, whether in a roastery or at home with a coffee grinder, sets a series of complex chemical processes in motion. The cell structure is broken down, releasing aromatic compounds. These compounds are responsible for the characteristic taste and aroma. The grinding process increases the surface area of the coffee, which in turn contributes to the intense flavor. During brewing, water can better circulate around the surface, come into more efficient contact with the coffee particles, and thus ensure a comprehensive extraction of the aromas. The quality of the coffee grinder, the grinding process, and the time elapsed before use are strong indicators of the quality of the final product.
What is the oxidation of coffee?
Ground coffee reacts with oxygen – it literally oxidizes. This process begins during grinding and only stops once the coffee is brewed. Oxidation alters the coffee's flavor profile, leading to a loss of aroma and, of course, freshness. Therefore, ground coffee should be used as soon as possible and/or stored in well-sealed containers. Incidentally, whole beans also oxidize, so coffee, whether ground or not, should always be well-sealed and consumed relatively quickly. After all, it's a food product!
Why is packaging so important?
As mentioned before, whether you're buying whole beans or ground coffee, the packaging is crucial for your taste experience. Coffee is a delicate product and reacts to its environment – usually negatively. To optimally protect your favorite coffee and ensure a consistently delicious experience, you should pay attention to the following aspects of your packaging:
These qualities are directly achieved by good packaging (we, of course, only use very high-quality packaging!). Therefore, while a pretty coffee tin might look nice on the shelf, it actually harms your coffee. However, there are a few professional-grade tins that meet these requirements – for those who truly don't want to see a coffee bag.
When does coffee taste best?
Now you might think: Of course, freshly roasted coffee! Unfortunately, that's not quite right. Freshly roasted coffee straight from the roaster actually tastes rather bad. This is because coffee needs to "degas" after roasting so that it can fully develop its aromas. It releases excess carbon dioxide, and this process simply takes time. Around 14 days after the roasting date, it's perfectly degassed and ready to drink. However, there are still differences; a particularly dark roast can sometimes take up to four weeks to reach its optimal flavor. With ground coffee, you should make sure to use it up quickly, as many aromas literally disappear shortly after grinding.
And how long does the coffee keep?
Please don't confuse the optimal "enjoyment period" with the best-before date. For artisanal roasters, this is usually set at one year after the roasting date, and the coffee will easily stay at this temperature for that long, especially if stored properly. For optimal flavor, we recommend opening and consuming the coffee within six months. It tastes best between two weeks and three months after the roasting date.
We've given you a comprehensive overview of whole bean vs. ground coffee, and now it's up to you to decide whether you need a coffee grinder at home or would prefer to buy pre-ground coffee. We hope we've helped you make a well-informed decision! If you have any further questions, please don't hesitate to contact us. As partners of ECM and Profitec, we can definitely help you choose the right coffee grinder for your home! For even more tips on machines and proper preparation, why not join our Barista Basics course ? There you'll receive even more valuable tips and insights into coffee and latte art!
Your SIMON & Bearns Team