Don’t get us wrong, ground coffee is great, it’s easy to use and convenient to buy from your local shops and online stores. But it’s an unanimous answer from all of us here at Java Republic, grinding your coffee IS worth it! 

From a price perspective, there is little to no difference between buying beans or pre-ground coffee (bar your initial grinder investment). You will also end up getting the same amount of coffee whether it is ground or not. Sure, grinding your coffee adds a bit more time onto your coffee routine but a daily grind gives a much better coffee experience. Keep reading to discover why! 

Aroma and taste

When you grind your coffee beans, the result is far superior coffee that has a rich aroma and taste. The ritual of coffee grinding gives off the aroma of freshly ground coffee that will linger in the air long after your cup of coffee is finished. This aroma and sense of smell contributes to the sensory experience of your morning cup of coffee. Grinding beans also slows down the oxidation process which is when oxygen comes into contact with the coffee and breaks down the organic molecules, which weakens the aroma.  

Shelf life and storage 

You ideally should be storing your already ground coffee beans in an airtight container as once coffee is exposed to air, the oils that are responsible for the flavour of your coffee start to evaporate. So although ground coffee beans have a good shelf life, they lose most of their flavour approaching their best before date. 

Experts say that coffee can only be considered fresh in the thirty minutes after it goes through the grinding process. We recommend you should brew your coffee immediately after the grinding is done to get the most out of your flavour-full coffee. Therefore, with freshly ground coffee, you don’t have to worry about losing flavour as the shelf life is pretty much under your control. You can grind in small amounts every day before you start to brew your morning coffee. 

What grinder should I buy? 

We asked Coffee Quality Consultant Milena Bardyn which option she recommends… 

 “Grinding is an essential part of the coffee making process as it dictates the overall quality and flavour of your coffee. The Timemore is a manual burr grinder and is my preferred option. This manual grinder gives much better consistency and is great for anyone using a Chemex, V60, espresso machine or french press at home. A manual burr grinder allows you to choose your grind size and make consistent, uniform coffee grounds each time. The Hario Mini Grinder is also a great choice for newbies and an inexpensive grinding tool.” 

Controlling the grind

The more you begin to grind your coffee beans, you will learn the exact process that creates the best ground coffee for your brewing method. Here are the most common grind sizes:  

• Fine – used for Aeropress coffee makers and espresso machines   
• Medium – moka pot, Hario V60 and various types of drip coffee  
• Coarse – french presses and percolators. 

If you are already buying our premium or speciality coffee, it may be worth the investment in a coffee grinder to truly taste the intricate flavours of your favourite coffee. Here are some of our top-selling coffees and their tasting notes:  

Munkey: Starts with creamy, chocolatey notes that give way to a sense of black cherries before finishing with a nutty aftertaste.  

Rwanda Ruhango: Specialty single-origin coffee that conveys hints of orange and lemon, with berry notes and lingering milk chocolate with a hazelnut finish.  

Costa Rica Dota Tarrazu AA: Includes hints of grapes, forest fruits and honey. The flavour gives way to gooseberry, red grapes, candied orange and white currant.