Grind Size, Brew Ratios & How to Make Every Cup Count

There’s something special about making coffee at home—the quiet moments, the familiar ritual, the first sip that starts your day just right. But if your coffee isn’t tasting quite how you hoped, the secret might not be the beans… it might be how you’re brewing them.

The good news? A few simple adjustments can completely transform your cup.

Let’s walk through two of the most important pieces of the puzzle: grind size and brew ratio—and how to use both to brew coffee you truly love.

Why Grind Size Matters More Than You Think

Grind size plays a huge role in how your coffee tastes. It controls how quickly water extracts flavor from the coffee grounds.

• Too coarse? Your coffee can taste weak or sour.
• Too fine? It can become bitter or over-extracted.

The goal is balance—bringing out all the rich, nuanced flavors your coffee has to offer.

Use our Coffee Grind Guide above as a quick reference, but here’s a simple breakdown:

• Extra Coarse (like rock salt): Best for cold brew
• Coarse (like sea salt): French press, percolator
• Medium (like sand): Drip coffee makers, pour-over, Chemex
• Medium-Fine (like table salt): Moka pot, Aeropress
• Fine (like sugar): Espresso
• Extra Fine (like flour): Turkish coffee

💡 Tip: If your coffee tastes off, try adjusting your grind size before anything else—it’s often the fastest fix.

The Golden Rule: Coffee to Water Ratio

Once your grind is dialed in, the next step is your brew ratio—how much coffee you use compared to water.

This is what determines how strong (or weak) your coffee will be.

A good place to start:

• Drip Coffee Maker: 18:1
• Pour-Over / Chemex: 15:1
• French Press: 15:1
• Aeropress: 16:1
• Cold Brew:
  • Concentrate: 5:1
  • Ready-to-drink: 10:1

(You’ll find exact measurements in the Brew Guide above 👆)

⚖️ Coffee is Personal—Make It Yours

Here’s the most important thing to remember:

These aren’t rules—they’re starting points.

Your perfect cup might be a little stronger, a little smoother, or a little bolder than someone else’s. And that’s the beauty of it.

• Want a stronger cup?
  → Use a finer grind or more coffee
• Prefer something lighter?
  → Go a bit coarser or use more water

Small changes make a big difference.

From Our Roastery to Your Home

At Goldberry, we believe great coffee isn’t just about what’s in the bag—it’s about the moments it creates. Slow mornings. Conversations at the kitchen counter. That second cup you didn’t plan on, but needed.

Whether you’re brewing your daily go-to or exploring something new, we hope this guide helps you enjoy every cup just a little more.

And if you’re not sure where to start? Our curated boxes (👀 Origin Stories, Better Together, and seasonal collections) are a perfect way to discover what you love.

Ready to brew something better?

Explore our coffees →
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