At Goldberry Roasting Company, we believe every great cup of coffee starts long before it hits your mug. While the beans themselves matter deeply, one often-overlooked variable can make or break your brew: coffee grind size.

Grind size plays a critical role in how your coffee tastes—affecting everything from strength and clarity to bitterness and body. Whether you're brewing at home, at the office, or for customers, mastering grind size is one of the easiest ways to dramatically improve your coffee experience.

Let’s dive into why grind size matters, how it impacts flavor, and how to choose the right grind for your brewing method.

What Is Coffee Grind Size?

Coffee grind size refers to how coarse or fine your coffee beans are ground before brewing. Think of it like the difference between sea salt and powdered sugar—those texture changes completely alter how water extracts flavor from the grounds.

Grind size ranges from extra coarse (used for cold brew) to extra fine (used for espresso). Each brewing method works best with a specific grind size because it controls the rate of extraction, which is the process of drawing out flavors and compounds from the coffee.

Why Grind Size Matters for Flavor

When you brew coffee, hot water interacts with the ground beans and extracts oils, acids, sugars, and other compounds. The size of the grind determines how quickly that happens.

• Too coarse a grind and the water passes through too quickly—resulting in under-extracted coffee that tastes sour or weak.
  
  

• Too fine a grind and the water over-extracts the grounds—leading to bitterness, muddiness, and an overly harsh cup.

Getting the grind just right helps you extract the ideal balance of sweetness, acidity, and body—the hallmarks of a delicious cup of coffee.

Grind Size by Brewing Method

Each brewing method requires a specific grind size to optimize flavor. Here’s a quick guide:

1. Cold Brew – Extra Coarse

Looks like: Rough sea salt
Why: Cold brew steeps for 12–24 hours, so a large grind slows extraction and prevents bitterness.

2. French Press – Coarse

Looks like: Kosher salt
Why: Longer steep time and metal filters need a coarser grind to avoid over-extraction and sediment.

3. Drip Coffee Maker – Medium

Looks like: Sand
Why: Most automatic brewers use medium grind for a balanced brew with good clarity.

4. Pour Over (e.g., Chemex or V60) – Medium-Fine

Looks like: Table salt
Why: Slightly finer grind allows more control over extraction with manual pouring methods.

5. Espresso – Very Fine

Looks like: Powdered sugar
Why: Espresso brews in 20–30 seconds under high pressure, so it needs a fine grind for strong, concentrated flavor.

6. Turkish Coffee – Extra Fine

Looks like: Flour
Why: Turkish coffee is boiled and unfiltered, requiring the finest grind for complete infusion.

Tips for Getting the Right Coffee Grind Size

• Use a burr grinder, not a blade grinder. Burr grinders provide consistent particle sizes, while blade grinders chop unevenly and can cause some grounds to become scorched from the hot brewing water, while others are left under-extracted.
  
  

• Grind just before brewing. Freshly ground beans retain more flavor and aroma than pre-ground coffee.
  
  

• Taste and adjust. If your coffee tastes sour, try a finer grind. If it’s bitter, go coarser. Your palate is your best brewing tool.
  
  

At Goldberry, we’re always happy to help you dial in your grind and brewing setup—whether you’re brewing at home or at your café.

How Goldberry Helps You Brew Better

We know that buying great beans is just the beginning. That’s why we work with our customers—home brewers, wholesale partners, and offices alike—to ensure they get the most out of every roast. Whether you're using a French press, drip pot, or espresso machine, we’ll help you match your coffee grind size to your method.

And if you're not sure where to start, we even offer pre-ground coffee in a range of grind sizes to suit your preferred brew style—so you can enjoy specialty flavor without the guesswork.

Have questions about grind size or brewing methods? Reach out to our team at goldberryroasting.com—we’re here to help you brew with confidence.