subject: A Coffee Grinder Is A Perfect Accessory [print this page] Coffee purists will usually explain how the best coffee comes from coffee beans ground immediately before the coffee is brewed. This has become a familiar statement that seasoned coffee drinkers know by heart. It makes sense, then, that no kitchen is complete without some sort of coffee grinder that is up to the task of converting your preferred beans into a good cup of coffee.
What Makes A Perfect Coffee Grinder?
In the world of the coffee grinder presently there are two basic forms: the burr grinder and the blade grinder. The main difference between the two in fact is how the beans are processed. Burr grinders employ, of course, burrs, that resemble plates with gears on them. One of the burrs spins and grinds the beans against the other burr, which is immobile. Blade coffee grinders use a spinning blade to grind the beans.
In terms of great espresso, there are numerous elements which have an affect on the finished product. The most important of these are heat and uniformity. Since the entire process of grinding coffee is comparatively violent, both burr and blade grinders generate a certain amount of warmth. Heat is unwelcome in a coffee grinder as it damages the coffee. The faster the grinding process, the more heat that gets imparted to the coffee. Finer grinds also gather heat due to the extra time they spend being ground.
One way around the issue of heat is to buy an overpriced but amazing low-speed burr grinder. The low speed will probably mean it will take slightly longer to turn your beans into grinds, but anybody who has used one of these brilliant beauties will attest to the quality of espresso they create.
Another significant quality factor is the uniformity of the grind. In the brewing process, the water spends a set length of time passing through the grinds. Standard grinds are considerably more successful at imparting flavor to the water. It might be hard to tell at a casual glance, but blade grinders do a poor job of creating a standard grind. Burr grinders, conversely, generate remarkably uniform grinds, producing a significantly better cup of espresso.
Obviously, when buying a coffee grinder, the burr grinder will be the way to go. Some of the high-end models can cost hundreds of dollars, positioning them out of the reach of many buyers. This does not mean that a small budget always gets an inadequate coffee grinder. Quite a few internet sites featuring burr grinders currently have styles below $100. While that may appear somewhat expensive, it is an investment in enhancing a regular ritual, and who is able to put a dollar value on a better cup of espresso every morning?
