Update: I finally figured out why my morning brew tasted like dirt for a year

I was using a cheap blade grinder from a big box store and just dumping the grounds straight into my French press. My friend, who works at a roaster in Austin, came over last week, watched me make a cup, and said 'You're basically drinking coffee dust soup.' He showed me how to grind coarser with a burr grinder and let it bloom. Has anyone else had a total 'aha' moment with their grind size?

4 comments

4 Comments

abby_martinez1mo ago

coffee dust soup" is a bit much. I've used a cheap blade grinder for years and my coffee is fine. It's just coffee, not a science project. Some people act like you need a lab setup for a morning cup. If it's hot and has caffeine, it works.

morgan.jason1mo ago

My buddy said the same thing about his blade grinder for years. Then he tried a bag of pre-ground from a decent roaster and his whole face changed. He admitted it was like he'd been drinking a different drink. Still uses the blade grinder most days though.

corah751mo ago

My old Krups blade grinder made such uneven grounds that half my cup tasted bitter and half tasted sour. Upgrading to a basic burr grinder was the single biggest jump in flavor I've ever made.

charles7206d ago

Have you looked at what happens with blade grinders over time? That dull spinning blade basically heats the beans up while it chops them and you end up cooking off some of the oils before they even hit the water. I didn't believe it till I felt the side of my old grinder after 30 seconds and it was legit warm to the touch. That's flavor just disappearing into heat.