Grind size controls how fast water extracts flavor from coffee. Finer grinds extract faster (use for quicker brew methods), coarser grinds extract slower (use for longer steep times).
The Simple Guide
| Grind | Feels Like | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Extra Coarse | Peppercorns | Cold Brew |
| Coarse | Coarse sea salt | French Press |
| Medium | Regular sand | Drip Coffee |
| Medium-Fine | Table salt | Pour Over |
| Fine | Powdered sugar | Espresso |
Why It Matters
The finer the grind, the more surface area is exposed to water, so flavor extracts faster. Match your grind to your brew method's contact time — too fine for a slow method (like cold brew) over-extracts and turns bitter; too coarse for a fast method (like espresso) under-extracts and turns sour or weak.
What To Do
Start with the grind size recommended for your method, then adjust: if your coffee tastes bitter, grind coarser next time; if it tastes sour or weak, grind finer.
A burr grinder produces far more consistent particle size than a blade grinder — consistency matters more for flavor than almost anything else you can control at home.