Drinking a cup of coffee in the morning is a common way people around the world start the day. To get the freshest taste of coffee, you have to grind the beans yourself every day, and this can be done easily with the right coffee grinder. However, if the appliance is broken or you are in a place where there is no coffee grinder available, there are several ways to grind the beans and enjoy a fresh cup of coffee.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Grinding Coffee Beans Mechanically
Step 1. Grind the coffee beans with a blender
Measure out as much as a quarter of the coffee beans you want, then put them in the blender pitcher. Set the blender to a low setting. Put the lid on and run the blender every two seconds for about 10 seconds. Add the next quarter of the coffee bean, then repeat the process. Continue the process until all the desired amount of coffee has been ground. This takes approximately 1 minute.
- When finished, wash the blender until clean so that the coffee aroma is gone.
- Blenders are perfect for grinding coffee in an emergency. However, the grinding results are not smooth and not uniform. This method is perfect for getting coffee grounds with a coarse grind.
- Run the blender briefly, and do it many times. This is to prevent the blades of the blender from heating up and burning the coffee beans.
Step 2. Use a food processor
Measure the coffee beans as desired and put them in a food processor. Grind the coffee beans several times for 10-20 seconds at a time. Check the fineness of the coffee grounds, and continue grinding the beans until you get the fineness you want.
- When finished, disassemble and wash the food processing machine. Otherwise, the coffee aroma will linger.
- Like a blender, a food processor can only produce a coarse and non-uniform grind, but the coffee can still be enjoyed.
Step 3. Try using an immersion blender
Put the coffee beans in a narrow and tall container. Place the blades of the blender in the container, then cover the top with your hands to prevent the coffee beans from jumping out. Grind the coffee beans for 20-30 seconds. Check the fineness of the powder and continue the process for 10 seconds at a time until you reach the desired fineness.
Immediately wash and rinse the hand blender and the container to remove the oil and coffee aroma
Method 2 of 3: Manually Grinding Coffee Beans
Step 1. Use a pestle and mortar
Add 1-2 tbsp. (5-10 grams) of coffee beans into a mortar. Use your hands to cover the top of the mortar so the coffee beans don't shoot out. Use your other hand to hit the coffee beans in a circular motion. Five seconds later, lift and point the pestle downwards in a vertical motion to mash the coffee beans.
- Repeat this process until you get coffee grounds of the desired fineness.
- Only grind small amounts of coffee beans using a pestle and mortar. This is to ensure that the grind is uniform.
- The use of a pestle and mortar can produce coffee grounds in varying degrees of fineness, from coarse to very fine.
Step 2. Crack the coffee beans
Place the coffee beans on a large wooden cutting board. Place a large butcher's knife over the coffee beans. Place your palms on the blade of the knife, then press the coffee beans. Once the seeds have cracked, carefully slide the knife toward your body. Continue pressing the coffee beans until they reach the desired level of fineness.
With this method, you can get medium- or medium-fine ground coffee grounds
Step 3. Grind the coffee beans with a rolling pin
Measure the coffee beans, then put them in a thick plastic bag for the freezer. Close the plastic bag tightly and place it on a flat surface. Spread the coffee beans in the bag until they reach a single layer. Gently hit the rolling pin against the coffee beans as you would a hammer to crack them. If it's cracked, move the rolling pin back and forth until you get coffee grounds of the desired fineness.
- If you don't have a plastic freezer bag, you can place the coffee beans in the center of the parchment paper.
- The use of a rolling pin produces medium to fine ground coffee grounds.
Step 4. Hit the coffee beans with a hammer
Place the coffee beans in the center of 2 sheets of parchment paper, or place the beans in a tightly sealed plastic freezer bag. Place the bag on a towel spread out on a flat surface. Spread the coffee beans into an even layer. Use moderate, consistent strength to hammer the coffee beans into crushing them. Continue to beat the coffee beans until they are coarse to medium in texture.
You can grind coffee beans this way using a regular hammer, meat tenderizer, or a wooden hammer
Step 5. Use a hand grinder
This is a manual grinder that can be used to chop meat, make pasta, or grind just about anything, including coffee beans. Place the desired amount of coffee beans in the grinder. Turn the crank clockwise by hand to grind the coffee beans. If you want a smooth finish, put the crushed coffee beans back in to grind again.
Method 3 of 3: Choosing the Right Coffee Ground Fineness
Step 1. Use a coarse grinder if you want to make a French press
Different ways of making coffee require different levels of fineness of coffee grounds. Coarse coffee grounds have a texture like breadcrumbs. This coarse powder can be obtained by grinding coffee beans using a blender or food processing machine. This coarse powder is perfect for:
- French press coffee
- Cold brewed coffee
- Coffee brewed with a vacuum coffee maker
Step 2. Use a medium grind if you want to brew coffee in a variety of ways
Medium grind has a coarseness like granulated sugar. This type of coffee powder is perfect for drip coffee, pour method coffee, and brewing using Chemex. This medium grind can also be used in a variety of brewing methods, except for the espresso or Turkish coffee method.
Medium ground coffee grounds can be obtained by crushing the coffee beans with a hammer or knife. You can also use a rolling pin to get this
Step 3. Use finely ground powder to make espresso
For best results, you'll need finely ground coffee grounds when using a professional espresso machine, a home espresso maker, and a stovetop espresso pot. Finely ground coffee grounds are as smooth as table salt.
Without a grinder, you can obtain a fine powder by grinding the coffee beans with a rolling pin or a pestle and mortar
Step 4. Use very fine ground coffee if you want to make Turkish coffee
This coffee powder has a smoothness like powdered sugar. This type of powder is needed to make Turkish coffee or Greek coffee. You can use a pestle and mortar to get very fine coffee grounds.
Tips
- Coffee shops or grocery stores that sell coffee often have grinders available for shoppers to use. If you don't have a grinder, you can grind your coffee there.
- If you are buying a new coffee grinder, choose a burr grinder as it is ideal for grinding coffee beans.
- Place the coffee grounds in an airtight container, and store in a dark, cool location. Keep coffee grounds away from heat, air, extreme cold, and humidity.
