Here at Dear Green, we’re often asked for our top tips and tricks on how you can up your at-home brewing game and make those delicious speciality coffee beans taste their absolute best. And who wouldn’t want to make the most of their brew? It's a no-brainer. 

Our number one piece of advice?Grind your beans freshly for every cup! 

Just like most food and drink products, coffee is best enjoyed when it is freshly prepared. This is because as soon as coffee beans are ground, the coffee’s natural oils and aromatics are released, giving us a super fresh brew. However, coffee also begins to stale and degrade as soon as it’s exposed to oxygen, which dries out those grounds and diminishes the fresh aromas and delicious flavours.

Here at the roastery, we go to great lengths to source and roast speciality beans with unique aromas and flavour profiles - and grinding freshly allows you to enjoy these complex flavours and aromas at their optimum point! The Speciality Coffee Association recommends that coffee be ground just before brewing.

Now that you’re ready to elevate your brewing game by grinding freshly, we have prepared a guide to coffee grinders! But first, here’s a list of features to consider:

Grinder Burrs

It’s essential to understand which parts of a grinder control the taste of coffee and, as a result, impact the quality of the brew. The coffee burrs (the internal parts that grind the coffee beans) will have a direct effect on the quality of your grind, depending on their size, shape and the material they are made from.

Flat Vs Conical Burrs

When it comes to grinder burrs, there are two main types: flat burrs and conical burrs. Both have advantages and disadvantages. It is generally agreed that conical burrs, with their larger surface area, give a brew a fuller body and texture, along with a more even particle distribution, making it easier to ‘dial in’ coffees to a consistently good standard.

Meanwhile, flat burrs can help achieve a greater clarity of flavour due to their tighter particle distribution curve. Some manufacturers have experimented with different cutting teeth geometry and coatings to change how the resulting grind affects flavour perception and basic tastes. To some coffee drinkers, these are must-have features but they do come at a higher cost. 

Stainless Steel Vs Ceramic Burrs

Conical and flat burrs are both made from ceramic which are more resilient to dulling and rust but aren’t as sharp as stainless steel. Typically, ceramic burrs are more susceptible to damage if a rock or foreign object gets into the grinding chamber but they are a great entry level option.

Stainless steel burrs produce a much more consistent and even grind size distribution, but are more susceptible to dulling over time.

There is a wide range of burr coatings that can be standard or added. The advantages can range from increasing grind speed and enhancing flavour clarity to extending the life of the burrs by up to four times.

Manual Hand Grinders

If you don't mind a little workout in the morning before your brew, a manual hand grinder is just for you. One of the significant benefits of hand grinders is that you can take them with you and grind off the grid wherever you may be. Additionally, they don’t require any electricity, making them the perfect companion for brewing with portable brewers like theAeroPress. In fact, the Aergrind by Knock even fits inside! It’s a flexible and reliable option - anytime, anywhere!

When it comes to the quality of your brew, some argue that manual coffee grinders can produce slightly better-tasting coffee, as this type of grinder doesn’t heat your beans when grinding - unlike automatic grinders, which operate at high speeds with higher friction. However, this difference can be difficult to distinguish, even for coffee aficionados. 

Delicious coffee shouldn’t have to cost the earth, and hand grinders are a great way to improve your brew quality, even for those on a budget. High-end manual grinders can be more affordable and superior to an automatic alternative, plus they’ll take up less space on your countertop or brewing station. 

Electric Grinders

Generally, automatic grinders are more convenient in terms of speed and volume of coffee. They require much less effort from the brewer, so you can simply select your grind settings, tap a button and sit back and relax as your beans grind in seconds. 

Automatic coffee grinders typically have a vast variety of grind settings, meaning you can tailor your brew just the way you like it. Having an array of settings provides the option to make micro-adjustments to “dial in” your grind size. The pre-programmed grind sizes that come with automatic coffee grinders can also result in a high level of brew consistency. A consistent grind size = consistently good brews! 

Just like most products on the market, increased convenience and control come at a slightly higher price point. Whilst automatic grinders run a little higher than hand grinders, there is no doubt that automatic grinders produce a more consistent brew - in a fraction of the time it takes to grind your beans by hand. Automatic grinders are also especially great for those looking to grind a higher volume of coffee.

Our grinder recommendations:

TImemore Manual Grider C2 - White

Our entry-level option, the Timemore Manual Coffee Grinder is an ideal option for grinding while on-the-go, whether you're traveling, at work, or simply at home. It is ideal for cafetiere, Aeropress, pour over, and other popular filter brewing methods! Achieve exceptional flavour and aroma every time.

• Burr: CNC stainless burrs
• Capacity: 25g
• Grind adjustment:  Internal adjustment on the burr.
• Other features: Compact size
• Price: £70

Aergrind Hand Grinder- 2022 Edition

Opus Grinder by Fellow

Introducing Opus, the ultimate home grinder. This all-in-one powerhouse effortlessly unleashes your coffee's potential for any brewing style, from espresso to cold brew (it is also the only electric grinder that we offer that accommodates espresso grounds). With its high-torque motor and 6-blade burr set, enjoy consistent grind and rich flavour with over 41 precision settings. Not only functional, Opus also adds a touch of sophistication to your counter with its volumetric dosing lid, spouted catch, anti-static technology, and handy grind guide. Get ready to take your coffee game to the next level with Opus.

Burrs: C6-40 Burly Burrs™: 6-blade 40 mm conical burrs
Capacity: 100-110 g
Grind Adjustment: 41+ adjustment settings
Other Features: Anti-static technology, magnetic catch cup, timed autostop, single-dose loading (no large hopper), low grind-retention design.
Price: £209.95