You would like to use whole bean coffee but you just don’t have the time?! I know how you feel. Sometimes it’s just easier to grab a bag of pre-ground coffee at Walmart, especially when you have a very busy schedule.
From time to time I hear so-called experts saying that the only good way to enjoy a good cup is to grind coffee just before you use it and not a moment sooner. Oh, I almost forgot – you will need a $300 coffee grinder and Kopi Luwak coffee beans!
False.
Grinding coffee beans at home is not really rocket science. You don’t have to buy all that fancy equipment nor expensive coffee beans.
But, you DO deserve that perfect cup! Here are just some ideas on how to use coffee beans at home – without all the fuss.
Choose the right blend
Whole beans or ground coffee, it doesn’t matter. If you want to make a good cup of coffee, you just need to choose the right blend/roast. That means – the one that suits your taste!
That’s it. You don’t have to buy Kopi Luwak, Blue Mountain or specialty coffees. These coffees are amazing, but so is their price (of course, if you want to buy exclusive coffees and explore new tastes, go for it).
If you already have a favorite brand/ blend, just grab a whole bean bag instead of pre-ground. All popular coffee brands have them in their offer.
Now, if you’re still looking for that perfect blend, here’s a small suggestion. Choose arabica coffee beans (you can usually find this information on the bag). Robusta types can’t compare with arabica on almost every criteria, so arabica should always be your first and only choice.
What about the taste?! If you like that sharp, light, lively coffee taste with citrus and spicy hints, choose light roasted coffee beans. If you like your coffee really strong, bold, sweetly-bitter with that nice earthy aroma, go for dark roasted coffee beans. If you don’t like your coffee too weak or too strong choose medium roasted coffee.
Buying a coffee grinder
How to grind coffee beans without a coffee grinder?! You can’t. If you want to use coffee beans, you will need to get one.
The good news is – you don’t have to buy those large professional coffee grinders. If you want to brew a few cups in the morning and a few more in the afternoon, small, home-use coffee grinder will do the job.
I have an espresso machine and Keurig at home, why getting some huge professional grinder was out of the question. I use a small one and it serves me perfectly.
And here comes the best part – you can find them on Amazon or at your local grocery store for less than $20.00.
Grind it – store it – drink it
As I mentioned, some suggest that you MUST grind coffee just before you use it and not a moment sooner. You don’t. Not everyone has time to grind coffee that often.
What I like to do is to grind as much coffee as I need for the next two or three days – at once. Store your coffee in an airtight canister or well closed bag, on your countertop – at room temperature. Read more about how to store coffee properly.
That’s a real time saver. When I want to make coffee, I just fill up a reusable K-cup and my coffee is ready in a minute. Two or three days old, this coffee will still have a much better taste than the store bought pre-ground coffee.
Coffee Take Out
Even though people tend to believe whole coffee beans are just about grinding and making messes, the truth is completely different. It is about the taste, quality and enjoying great coffee at home. And it’s so doable – as long as you follow your own taste and keep things simple.
I hope you are encouraged to do the same.
About Danijela
