Spotlight.
Grind guide.
June 27, 2024
Written by WatchHouse .
At WatchHouse, we believe that the quality of your coffee is intricately tied to the grind size you use. The right grind size can unlock the full potential of our specialty beans, delivering the rich, nuanced flavours that make each cup a memorable experience. Whether you're a seasoned barista or a home-brewing enthusiast, understanding the different grind sizes can elevate your game.
Whole Bean
Best for: Custom Grinding
Whole beans are the starting point for any great cup. Keeping beans whole until you're ready to brew preserves their freshness and allows you to grind them to the precise size needed for your chosen brewing method. At WatchHouse, we always recommend grinding your beans just before brewing to maximise flavour and aroma. The advantages of using whole beans include:
- Freshness: Grinding just before brewing ensures maximum freshness and flavour.
- Customisation: You can adjust the grind size to suit different brewing methods.
- Longevity: Whole beans have a longer shelf life compared to pre-ground coffee.
French Press
Grind Size: Coarse
Best for: Immersion Brewing
For a French Press, a coarse grind is essential. The larger coffee particles allow for a slow, even extraction during the long steeping process, usually around four minutes. This results in a full-bodied, rich cup with a robust flavour profile and minimal bitterness. Our coarse grind is designed to ensure a perfect, sludge-free French Press experience every time.
Chemex
Grind Size: Medium-Coarse
Best for: Pour-Over
The Chemex's thicker filter and slower extraction process require a medium-coarse grind. This grind size allows for a longer brew time without over-extracting, resulting in a clean, crisp cup with bright acidity and a smooth body. At WatchHouse, our medium-coarse grind is designed to complement the Chemex's unique brewing style, highlighting the subtleties and complexities of our specialty beans.
Kalita Wave
Grind Size: Medium
Best for: Pour-Over
Similar to the v60, the Kalita Wave uses a pour-over method but features a flat-bottom filter with three small holes. This design requires a medium grind to ensure an even extraction. The medium grind size allows for a steady flow of water, promoting a balanced extraction and a well-rounded cup of coffee. Our medium grind is tailored to bring out the nuanced flavours and smooth body that the Kalita Wave is known for.
v60
Grind Size: Medium-Fine
Best for: Pour-Over
The v60 pour-over method requires a medium-fine grind to achieve a balanced extraction. The cone-shaped filter and single hole at the bottom control the flow rate, and a medium-fine grind ensures that the water passes through at the right speed, extracting the delicate flavours and aromas that are characteristic of this brewing method. At WatchHouse, our medium-fine grind strikes the perfect balance, offering clarity and complexity in every cup.
Moka Pot
Grind Size: Medium-Fine
Best for: Stovetop Espresso
A Moka Pot brews coffee by passing boiling water pressurised by steam through ground coffee. For this method, a medium-fine grind is ideal. It provides enough resistance to create the necessary pressure, resulting in a strong, espresso-like brew. WatchHouse's medium-fine grind ensures your Moka Pot coffee is rich, bold, and full of character.
Espresso
Grind Size: Fine
Best for: Espresso Machines
Espresso requires a fine grind to produce the high pressure needed for a concentrated shot of coffee. The fine particles provide the resistance needed to build up pressure in the espresso machine, allowing for a quick, intense extraction. Our fine grind is meticulously calibrated to deliver a perfect espresso shot, balancing sweetness, acidity, and bitterness.