Coffee brewing essentials
Grinder. Scales. Hario Kettle. All are non-essentials, but for a fresh, great tasting, well-balanced, and perfectly poured cup, we actually recommend all three. If you really want to push the boat out, there are a few more gadgets you can arm yourself with too.
So, to the essentials. We're assuming here that you'll be purchasing Coffee Beans, these are easier to store, keep fresh for longer and allow you to grind down to suit your brewing method.
Top of our list (essential):
Good to have (non-essential):
OK, so you've got a grinder. What next? For the ideal brew, you’ll want to grind your coffee just before you’re ready to brew.
There are two types of grinder: burr and blade. We recommend burrs – they grind your coffee beans thoroughly. Blades are cheaper, so good if you're on a tight budget or just starting out, but they slice, rather than grind. (Blade grinders are always better than no grinders, though.)
This may sound obvious, but we have to say it! Only use it to grind for coffee. Grinders can grind nuts and spices too but those flavours will stick around in the machine and contaminate your brew, no matter how much you clean it out - you've been warned.
Start experimenting with the settings on your grinder - every grinder is slightly different so it's essential you feel comfortable with. Create a coarse, a medium and a fine grind. See how different sizes work with different brewing methods. Play with it until you feel at ease - a little hint, a simple post-it note on the fridge can really help you remember what grind level for what brew type.
Coffee grinding guide
To give you a head start, here’s a little guide we put together on what’s usually recommended for each brewing method:
| Grind Size | Looks Like | Type of Brew |
|---|---|---|
| TURKISH GRIND | Flour, powder | Turkish coffee |
| EXTRA FINE | Icing/Caster sugar | Espresso |
| FINE | Granulated sugar | Dripper, Aeropress, Syphon |
| MEDIUM | Sand | Dripper, Filter machine |
| COARSE | Sea salt | Filter machine, Cafetiere |
| EXTRA COURSE | Dried chilli flakes | Cold brew |
