Grinding Your Coffee Blends at Home

Today grinding your own coffee blends at home is way more efficient than in days long ago. The art of grinding originated many centuries ago when a mortar and pestle were used to achieve milled products. Food products such as wheat, corn, spices, and coffee were ground in large bowls and crushed. The milling process has been modernized using electric motors and twin blades that move at high speeds, crushing the coffee beans into a uniform grind.

There are two types of home coffee grinders available on the market, conical burr grinders or the flat plate burr grinders.  You can find high speed, high performing grinders or small ones with less capacity, and less quality. Prices range from thirty to three hundred dollars depending on the make and model.

Two popular burr grinders are LaPavoni and Mellita. They are the most affordable of flat plate burr grinders, they can store one-quarter pound of coffee beans, and have adjustable dials to regulate grind texture. Antigua, a conical grinder, does a good job creating coffee grinds that make a good cup of espresso. It does not fare well with coarser textures. It has a large hopper for the coffee beans and smaller space for the finished product. Saeco, a popular Italian company and Gaggia manufacture higher end coffee grinders.

You can purchase home roasting supplies which include scales, thermometers, timers, coffee bean roasters, poppers, sample kits, cupping supplies. Coffee blends and green coffee beans are available at numerous whole bean coffee shops and coffee companies. Gourmet coffee beans are available in flavors from deep smoky, mocha, syrupy, tangy, strong, and aromatic

When it comes to the grinding your own coffee blends at home, texture makes a big difference in the taste of a cup of coffee. The finer grinds produce a stronger, full flavor.  When coffee beans are evenly ground they produce the best flavor as the process extracts the oils from the beans. Disproportioned grinds will cause the coffee to have a bitter taste or a weak taste. So it is a good idea to research, and compare different types of grinders before you purchase them.