Only a professional barista can correctly select the degree of grinding of beans to prepare a specific drink. When a personal coffee machine appears in the house, it would be wrong to use it without first understanding all the intricacies of preparing your favorite drinks. Today we are going to learn about what coffee grind to choose in a coffee machine in order to surprise and delight your loved ones.
Today we are going to learn about what coffee grind to choose in a coffee machine in order to surprise and delight your loved ones.
What influences the degree of grinding of coffee?
The taste of coffee is influenced not only by the quality of the beans and the mixture of types, but also by the degree of extraction. It is what saturates the water while preparing your favorite drinks. The strength itself will depend on the degree of grinding. When it comes to simple street spots, no one really works there to improve the taste. All actions follow the same pattern.
1. The barista pours a mixture of beans into the machine’s container. 2. Turns on grinding in auto mode. 3. Fills the portafilter and creates the correct tablet with the tamper.
Most often, the finest grinding is used for these purposes, which turns the grains almost into dust. Despite the fact that the average citizen loves such drinks, it is difficult to call it correct. Coffee is best prepared in special establishments and coffee shops. Where the barista will take into account the guest’s preferences before preparing the drink. This is where the grinding technique will be used, which will create a unique and very tasty drink.
Coffee is best prepared in special establishments and coffee shops.
To summarize, there are several main points that every coffee lover should know.
1. If the extraction (grinding process) is too short, then the final drink will not save milk and cream even at the correct temperature. It will be sour and not very pleasant. 2. If the extraction is too long, the coffee will be very strong and bitter.
Much depends on the machine where the drink will be prepared. For example, in a coffee machine the process takes no more than 5 seconds, but in a French press it takes as much as 4 minutes. In the second case, particles that are too small will begin to burn, which will ultimately ruin the drink.
Much depends on the machine where the drink will be prepared.
The process of preparing ristretto in a coffee machine
Ristretto is an Italian drink, translated into Russian as thicker and stronger coffee. As a rule, it is prepared according to the usual espresso recipe using half the liquid.
Preparing ristretto at home takes longer, since manual work is involved in the operation of the coffee machine.
Stages:
- Coffee powder is poured into a special hole as when preparing regular espresso;
- Moisten the powder with water for a few seconds;
- Press start and 15 seconds before readiness, turn off the liquid supply.
It is drunk without adding sugar and poured into preheated bowls.
How does grinding affect the taste of coffee?
When researching information about what the correct grinding of coffee in a coffee machine affects, several interesting facts can be identified. 1. For a drip type machine, experts recommend using coarse grinding. This will have a great effect on the strength and taste of the finished drink. The coffee will not be bitter and will not seem over-roasted. 2. Medium grind – ideal for coffee time in the middle of the day. The strength will be at a medium level, perfect for making drinks with milk - latte or even cappuccino. 3. Fine grinding – for preparing coarse and masculine drinks. The end result is a very strong and invigorating espresso that you can drink without wincing. 4. “Dust” - this type of grinding can be classified as ultra-fine, since in the end very small particles should remain. This option is more suitable for those who are tired of drinks in bags and granules and want to please their partner with a homemade Turkish drink. The taste will be no worse than in an expensive coffee shop.
The choice of grinding depends on the taste preferences of the user. However, it is worth recalling that the most important thing is to learn how to prepare espresso correctly, since these are the “basics”.
The choice of grinding depends on the taste preferences of the user.
Caring for your coffee machine
The service life of a machine designed for preparing coffee drinks directly depends on how it is cared for. Limescale poses a particular danger to the device. It is extremely important to get rid of it in a timely manner.
The coffee machine must be cleaned of coffee oils. They lead to the formation of plaque and clogging of filters.
Many devices are equipped with automatic decalcification and cleaning functions. When using such devices, cleaning is as simple as possible. You just need to press the appropriate button.
If there is no such function, you should do the following:
- Disconnect the device from the network.
- Pour water into the compartment in which the remaining coffee powder settles and add a decalcifier.
- Turn on the coffee machine and leave it running for a quarter of an hour.
- Turn off the device and drain the water.
- Repeat all steps until the tank is empty.
- At the last stage, this operation is carried out with clean water.
It is also possible to use vinegar and citric acid in the fight against scale.
How to choose grind level
Before you start choosing a grind for your daily drink preparation, you need to understand the types of beans. For household use, experts recommend using a mixture of Arabica and Robusta. Arabica gives off its characteristic sourness, which everyone loves very much, but Robusta is responsible for the aroma and richness. It is desirable that the proportion be 90% to 10%.
For household use, experts recommend using a mixture of Arabica and Robusta.
On packages purchased within the country, this indicator is usually reflected in the composition. If you purchase separately, you must make sure that the seller does not deceive you. The grains can be tasted; Arabica is difficult to confuse with something else.
Separately, it is worth highlighting the degree of grinding. 1. “Dust” - ultra-fine grinding, more reminiscent of cinnamon. 2. Fine grind (espresso) - reminiscent of iodized salt for a salt shaker. 3. Fine grind – more reminiscent of powdered sugar particles. 4. Medium – looks like a sugar crystal. 5. Large – resembles ordinary household salt.
If you brew a drink “Warsaw style”, then it is advisable to choose an ultra-fine grind. It is brewed in a regular cup with boiling water and covered with a saucer.
Interesting! In Europe, in the Starbucks chain, coffee of this grind is sold in special bags as a replacement for regular instant coffee.
Grinding for carob coffee maker
It just so happens that this type of device only works with medium-fine powder. This is due to its good compression into a tablet.
Owners of coffee makers with high steam jet pressure are allowed to use an ultra-fine grinding spray. In this case, the invigorating drink has a richer taste and a more pronounced aroma.
Attention! Only a powder that is homogeneous in structure is effectively compressed into a tablet.
What a novice coffee lover needs to know.
1. If you prepare drinks in a Turk, it is advisable to use an ultra-thin one. 2. Espresso machine – requires fine and coarse grinding. 3. Geyser coffee maker (looks like a teapot, consists of 3 parts) - Fine grind. 4. Aeropress and siphon - medium. 5. Chemex and French Press - coarse and coarse grind.
The selected information about what determines the taste of the finished coffee in a coffee machine will be enough to prepare your favorite drink. Additionally, it is worth highlighting that excess coffee cannot be stored - the coffee quickly runs out of steam, even if the technique is followed, the result “like the first time” will no longer be obtained.
Excess cannot be stored - the coffee quickly runs out of steam, even if the technique is followed, the result “like the first time” will no longer be obtained.
General setup rules
For the device to work correctly, you need to follow the basic rules:
- Periodically clean the milk and coffee tracts with special products. If you have one of the Delonghi brand models, then you need to take products designed specifically for it.
- Set the correct settings for temperature, grind degree, amount of water, etc. If you have a capsule coffee machine like Nescafe Dolce Gusto, then the settings are already set to default.
- To make sure that all settings are set correctly, check the instructions for the coffee machine and brew a test drink.
If you have a Nespresso DeLonghi Lattissima Pro or similar machine, all steps will be displayed on the display: preparing water, cleaning the compartment, etc.
Precautionary measures
Do not place the coffee machine too close to the main work area of the table. When cooking, boiling water may splash out of it. Therefore, it is better to place the device on a horizontal surface, so that there is nothing within a radius of 5-10 cm from it.
Read the instructions. Coffee machines differ from each other in characteristics and rules of use, so you must be able to use your model. Otherwise it will quickly break.
Do not place the device near sinks or taps. Splashes will definitely fly on him. If water gets inside the mechanisms, the coffee machine may break.
Use the right raw materials. There are many varieties of coffee on the market, so be sure to read the article “Which coffee beans are best to choose for a coffee machine.” We talk about all the types there, so you can choose the best option for making your favorite type of coffee or coffee cocktail.
How to adjust the grind level in different types of coffee machines?
As practice has shown, adjusting the grinding degree is quite difficult. Especially when it comes to professional and expensive machines. Separately, you can consider the current models that are most often found.
As practice has shown, adjusting the grinding degree is quite difficult.
Automatic coffee machine Delonghi
There are several pressing problems that owners often face. Among them are the following.
1. There is no foam; the resulting drink is too liquid and tasteless. To correct, you need to turn the grinding knob a few notches counterclockwise. Next, several cups of coffee are brewed; if the result has not changed, you need to turn it another notch. 2. Coffee does not pour or barely drips. There are several possible solutions. First, you need to turn the grinding lever 3 notches to the right, make a few drinks. If nothing changes, you need to set it to the finest grind. Be sure to check if the filter is clogged.
If none of the above helps, you need to examine the “cake” of the used tablet. You can even determine the degree of grinding by using it. If after changing the mode it does not change, then we are talking about a breakdown. You need to take it to a service center or call a technician.
You can determine the degree of grinding in this machine by the tablet used
Carob coffee maker
When working with this type, you need to take into account not only the degree of grinding, but its moisture content, as well as the grain used. To make the drink tasty, it is recommended to grind the grain yourself before preparing. To do this, you need to get a good coffee grinder; in the end, it will fully justify itself.
To make the drink tasty, it is recommended to grind the grain yourself before preparing.
For the carob type, the grind used is fine espresso. If you grind it into powder, the drink will turn out to be too bitter and tart. You can determine the ideality of the raw material using the stream that flows from the spout. If it is straight and resembles a mouse tail, then everything is fine with grinding.
For the carob type, the grind used is fine espresso.
Pod espresso maker
Unlike the carob type, this coffee machine independently forms coffee tablets for preparing drinks. There are several advantages here. 1. Manufacturers have already provided ready-made tablets that are loaded into the coffee machine. The taste will always be stable. 2. There is no need to wash and constantly clean equipment. Used pods can be easily removed and disposed of.
Despite this, it is easy to confuse tablets for preparation with other types. Moreover, each manufacturer pours its own coffee into pods. This can be expressed in different proportions of varieties, and maybe in the grinding itself. For this type, it is recommended to choose a fine espresso. The characteristics are usually indicated on the packaging itself. If the coffee turns out unsuccessful, you should open the package and familiarize yourself with the contents.
If the coffee turns out unsuccessful, you should open the package and familiarize yourself with the contents.
Changing the drink volume
The smaller the volume of coffee, the more specific sour notes there are in the taste, the greater the richness, and the less caffeine. Conversely, the more water passes through the coffee tablet, the more all shades are neutralized, while bitterness begins to prevail in the taste, specifically more caffeine.
The principle is simple: the more drink is poured into the cup, the more time it takes. And over time, different tastes are washed out of the coffee bookmark. To put it simply, first the sour components are extracted into the cup, and then the bitter ones. Different grains contain different amounts of both the former and the latter, and depending on the variety and final volume of the drink, you will get an individual final taste in the cup. The balance of sour and bitter shades can produce sweetness, but not always, and getting it from a grain machine is a big problem. Squeezing the sweetness out of the grain, but rather finding that ideal, vanishing point of balance between sourness and bitterness (if it is there at all “by design”, which is not at all necessary) is considered the main task for a professional carob coffee maker.
Roughly: if you want more sourness, reduce the amount in the cup; if you want more balance or even bitterness, increase the pour.
This difference is especially noticeable when comparing espresso and Americano. It's described in more detail here.
Basic rules for choosing grinding
If you look at it, you can understand that the less time it takes to prepare coffee, the smaller the grind should be. Speaking of large granules, we can say that they will provide the most delicious and vibrant aroma of the drink. However, it is worth considering that it will take at least 10 minutes to cook.
Speaking of large granules, we can say that they will provide the most delicious and vibrant aroma of the drink.
The choice of grinding often depends on the workload. It is unlikely that anyone will want to get up 30 minutes earlier in the morning to prepare themselves the perfect drink that will not only invigorate, but also lift their spirits. Therefore, most often, citizens use less complex machines that can provide a boost of energy within 2-3 minutes.
The choice of grinding often depends on the workload.
If grain grinding is done at home in the most ordinary machine. 1. 6-7 seconds will provide a coarse grind that is ideal for a French press or Chemex. 2. 10 seconds for medium grind. 3. 15 – small. 4. 20 – “dust”.
If grain grinding is done at home in the most ordinary machine
You should not focus on the composition of ready-made coffee in packages. Each country has completely different ideas about the level of grinding, since the cooking traditions are also different. The only option is to grind your own coffee.
The only option is to grind your own coffee.
Here we can highlight several advantages: 1. The raw materials do not erode. The aroma of the finished drink will be no worse than what an experienced barista prepares. 2. Independent selection of the ideal grind for different cooking techniques.
Important! It is almost impossible to achieve “dust” at home. To prepare coffee for brewing in a cup, it is advisable to purchase ready-made powder. If you hold the grains for a long time in the hope of grinding them, there is a chance of burning the grains.
Preparing and grinding grains
Make sure that the beans you want to use for making coffee are fresh, well roasted, and dried.
Reference . Humidity negatively affects the quality of the drink: its taste becomes unpleasant and watery. If water accidentally gets on your coffee, place the beans in the oven for 2-3 minutes to allow the moisture to evaporate.
Rules that help achieve the ideal grind and taste of a freshly brewed drink:
- Grind the product in small portions, calculating the volume for two portions in advance. Excessive amounts of ground powder will not be beneficial as all the aroma and taste will disappear. This is especially true for grinding for a carob or Turkish coffee maker, which must be fresh, otherwise all the flavor of the brewed drink will be lost.
- Make sure that the coffee grains are the same size, otherwise the base for the drink will be completely unsuitable.
- Don't skimp on chopping time. Too fast a procedure will lead to unevenness of the resulting powder and will negatively affect the taste of the drink.
Instructions for grinding beans
Follow a simple procedure for proper grinding of grains:
- Pour the beans into the coffee grinder compartment.
- Turn on the device.
- Select the grind level on the display. When using a regular coffee grinder, note the time: 10 seconds - coarse grind, 13 - medium, 15-20 - fine, more than 30 - ultra-fine.
- Open the lid and pour out the ground beans.
How to store ground coffee
The main secret of a tasty drink is high-quality grains and their grinding. Therefore, it is recommended not to store the ground product, but to use it immediately. However, if there are no other options, it is better to store ground coffee under certain conditions:
- it is advisable to leave the powder in a glass jar with a tightly closed lid;
- You can pour ground coffee into a foil bag, the free end of which is twisted into several layers and securely secured with a paper clip or clothespin.
Reference . Improper storage will lead to loss of aroma, taste and beneficial properties. Such a drink is unsuitable for consumption and will only disappoint those for whom it is prepared.
Useful tips
There are several recommendations that will help a novice coffee lover diversify his “diet”. 1. It is very important to know what ristretto, espresso and lungo are. Ristretto is a drink that can give an unforgettable aroma and taste, you can get it by pouring the tablets for 15-20 seconds. Lungo is a drink that contains caffeine and flows out within 30-50 seconds. Espresso is the most common type, pouring out within 25 seconds. Every second of spillage is equivalent to 1 ml of coffee. Lungo is considered the strongest.
Lungo is a drink that contains caffeine and flows out within 30-50 seconds.
2. Ristretto is used to prepare light and very tasty drinks that are virtually caffeine-free. It can be either a milk latte or a flavored cappuccino.
Ristretto is used to prepare light and very tasty drinks that are virtually caffeine-free.
Proper grinding can unlock the full potential of the beans. Each cooking technique should be selected individually, otherwise no ristretto or lungo will work.
Proper grinding can unlock the full potential of the beans.
If you purchase ready-made ground coffee, it is advisable to store it in a dark place, pouring it into a zip-lock bag in advance. This is the most successful option to ensure that the future drink does not lose its aroma and richness.
If you purchase ready-made ground coffee, it is advisable to store it in a dark place, pouring it into a zip bag in advance
The highlighted recommendations are for informational purposes only. Only an experienced barista knows how many nuances and secrets are hidden in the preparation of even a simple cup of your favorite drink. You can learn the art of coffee brewing from the highlighted principles shared by professionals.
Only an experienced barista knows how many nuances and secrets are hidden in the preparation of even a simple cup of your favorite drink.
The process of making latte in a coffee machine
The basis of this drink lies in a simple espresso recipe. To create a true latte, you need to make a three-story pyramid in the glass. At the very bottom there is milk, coffee is poured into the middle, and foam is laid on top. It is customary to serve it in a completely transparent and even glass.
Stages:
- Pour hot milk into a transparent glass;
- Place a glass of milk under the coffee machine tap;
- At the end, you need to lay out the dense foam prepared in the cappuccino maker.
You need to choose a large glass that can hold 2 servings of espresso and 130 ml of milk. You need to leave room for laying out the foam. You can decorate the foam in any way you like.
