Just picked up a cheap hand grinder after using pre-ground for years

I've been drinking pre-ground coffee from the grocery store for like 5 years, no joke. Last week, my friend gave me a bag of whole beans from a local roaster and basically dared me to try it. I had to choose between buying a $50 electric grinder or a $25 manual one. I went with the cheap hand grinder because my kitchen is tiny. It took me 4 minutes to grind enough for a pot this morning, but wow. The coffee tasted totally different, way more bright and fruity than my usual stuff. Has anyone else made the switch from pre-ground and been surprised by how much it actually changes the taste?

3 comments

3 Comments

reese_singh8724d ago

That four minutes of grinding is a real workout, but it's worth it. Freshly ground beans lose their flavor oils so fast, the pre-ground stuff just can't compare. A decent burr grinder, even a cheap manual one, makes all the difference in getting those bright notes you tasted.

the_richard24d ago

Okay but is it really that big of a deal? I tried grinding fresh once and it just tasted like stronger coffee to me. Maybe my taste buds are broken, but I don't get the whole life changing thing. It's still just coffee.

rubyreed3d ago

Tell your taste buds to clock in for work. Maybe you just got a bad batch of beans, or your grinder is secretly a pepper mill.