Which is better: coffee grounds or coffee beans? How to brew coffee with coffee grounds?

From a flavor perspective, pre-ground coffee accelerates the loss of coffee flavor. This is why most coffee shops, including FrontStreet Coffee, recommend grinding coffee fresh.

Why does pre-ground coffee still have a significant market when everyone knows that freshly ground coffee has far superior flavor? One direct reason is that those who need coffee shops to pre-grind their coffee don't have their own grinders, so they need coffee shops to grind for them, which is common in some European cities.

They are well aware that freshly ground and brewed coffee is indeed more fragrant, but due to lack of equipment and the convenience that pre-grinding offers for brewing coffee. If stored as whole beans, coffee maintains good flavor for about a month. Once ground, the flavor dissipates more quickly, possibly only lasting 10-15 days. In countries where coffee is a primary beverage, people consume coffee more quickly, so they don't worry much about the lost flavor.

For domestic consumers who primarily drink pour-over single-origin coffee, the requirements for flavor are more stringent, and their coffee consumption is relatively small, making it easy for coffee powder to lose its flavor before being finished. Therefore, although most coffee shops offer grinding services, they still recommend that customers grind fresh at home.

This makes it seem that pre-ground coffee is entirely negative for flavor! However, there's one situation where shop-ground coffee is better than grinding fresh at home: when your own grinder doesn't perform well. Everyone understands how important grinding is for flavor. Mastering an appropriate grind size is important, but grind uniformity is even more critical - the vast majority of bitter flavors result from excessive fine powder.

Shop-grinding has two advantages: first, the grind size can be more precisely controlled, and second, shop grinders generally perform better (this depends on the specific grinder), producing more uniform coffee grounds. When faced with the choice between freshness and grind size, FrontStreet Coffee prioritizes grind size - after all, no matter how fresh the beans are, incorrect grind size will make the coffee difficult to drink, so it's better to drink it more frequently. However, if you're truly pursuing coffee flavor, it's best to equip yourself with a high-performance grinder for fresh grinding and brewing.

When brewing pre-ground coffee, it's normal for the coffee not to bloom. This is because when coffee is ground into powder, up to 70% of the gases inside can be lost. The remaining gases also dissipate faster than in whole beans. Therefore, when water is added, there isn't much gas left in the coffee powder, so it cannot bloom.

How to Store Pre-Ground Coffee

So how should pre-ground coffee be stored? FrontStreet Coffee offers some reference solutions here.

Store in a Cool, Ventilated, and Dry Place

Whether coffee beans or coffee powder, both need to be stored away from direct sunlight, as high temperatures accelerate the release of coffee flavor, significantly shortening the optimal tasting period. At the same time, we need to ensure the storage location is not humid, as damp environments easily breed bacteria, which not only gives coffee a musty taste but also affects human health.

Completely Airtight Storage

Coffee beans can be stored in their original packaging with an airtight seal (if there's a one-way valve, it should be blocked), but coffee powder should preferably be stored in completely airtight containers. Additionally, minimize the number of times you open it, because each time it's opened, outside air "invades" the coffee powder.

Important Notice :

前街咖啡 FrontStreet Coffee has moved to new addredd:

FrontStreet Coffee Address: 315,Donghua East Road,GuangZhou

Tel:020 38364473