How to Choose the Right Grind Size

Choosing the right grind size for your brew method is one of the simplest ways to get a great cup of coffee at home.

The rule of thumb: match grind to contact time

Grind size should match how long the coffee is in contact with water. The longer the contact time, the coarser the grind. The shorter the contact time, the finer the grind.

Espresso: fine

Espresso is a quick brew method. Water under pressure is pushed through a bed of compacted coffee in your portafilter for anywhere from 25 to 35 seconds, depending on how you brew and what you enjoy. That's a very short contact time, so espresso needs a fine grind.

French press: coarse

At the other end of the spectrum is the French press. Ground coffee goes into a glass vessel, you pour water over it, and it steeps for four to five minutes. That long contact time calls for a very coarse grind.

Drip brewers like the Moccamaster: in the middle

I almost always brew on a Moccamaster. I'm lazy. I don't like fiddling with a pour-over, an AeroPress or other brew methods, and I like the clean flavour I get from a Moccamaster. Its grind size sits somewhere between fine and coarse, with a texture like coarse sand when you feel it between your fingers.

Grind fresh, right before you brew

The other half of the equation is grinding fresh. As coffee is broken into smaller pieces, its volatile aromatics start to escape. Grinding right before you brew means those aromatics end up in your cup, so you get the full aroma along with the flavour. Without them, you're missing part of what makes coffee great.

Then trust your taste

There's always some personal preference in grind size, but this is the foundation: pick a grind that matches how long the coffee is in contact with water.

• Too sour? Grind a little finer. More on that in Why does my coffee taste sour?
• Too bitter? Grind a little coarser. More on that in Why does my coffee taste bitter?

Our Coffee Grinding Guide has more on finding the right setting.

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