The Grinder’s Guide: How to Master Coffee Grind Sizes

You’ve got great beans. You’ve got a decent brewer. But your coffee still isn’t tasting right?

Chances are… it’s the grind.

Grind size is one of the most critical – and most misunderstood – variables in coffee brewing. Get it wrong, and no amount of fancy gear or expensive beans will save you. Get it right, and suddenly everything clicks.

So let’s break it down.

Grind size affects extraction — how much of the coffee’s flavour, aroma, body and acidity ends up in your cup.

Too coarse, and your water flows too quickly. You’ll under-extract, leaving your cup sour, weak, or hollow.

Too fine, and the water struggles to pass through. You’ll over-extract, leading to bitterness, astringency, and that dry-mouth feeling.

Each brew method needs a different grind to hit the sweet spot.

Here’s a quick reference:

French Press – Coarse (like sea salt)

Cold Brew – Extra Coarse (like breadcrumbs)

Pour-Over (V60) – Medium-Fine (like table salt or sand)

AeroPress – Medium (like beach sand or caster sugar)

Espresso – Fine (like flour or powdered sugar)

Moka Pot – Medium-Fine (somewhere between salt and flour)

Tip: These are starting points. You’ll need to adjust based on your gear, beans, and taste preferences.

If your coffee tastes too sour, acidic or watery, try grinding finer.

If it tastes bitter, harsh or hollow, try grinding coarser.

A good rule of thumb:

Sour = under-extracted = grind finer

Bitter = over-extracted = grind coarser

Taste. Adjust. Taste again. It’s like seasoning food — the more you practise, the more intuitive it becomes.

Pro tip: Use a consistent grinder.

Blade grinders chop unevenly — resulting in both under- and over-extraction in the same cup. A burr grinder gives you control and uniformity.

If you’re serious about your coffee (and we know you are), investing in a burr grinder will change everything.

Mastering grind size is one of the most empowering things you can do as a home barista. It gives you control, clarity, and confidence — and gets you one step closer to high-quality coffee at home.

Don’t just follow numbers. Taste, tweak, and trust your palate.

And if you want a little help, we’ve got you. Our Personalised Home Brewing Workshop includes hands-on guidance with your grind size, brewing methods and technique — right at your own setup.

Personalised Home Brewing Workshop

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