Choose the grind that matches the equipment you use to make coffee. If your machine grinds beans for you, or you have a separate grinder, choose Whole Beans. Otherwise, choose the ready-ground option for your brewer, the piece of equipment you make coffee with.
Match your grind to your brewer
Ground coffee is made by breaking roasted beans into small pieces. The size of those pieces is called the grind.
| Grind option | What it looks like | Equipment it suits | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Whole Beans | Whole roasted beans, not yet ground | Bean-to-cup machine with a built-in grinder, or a home grinder | You choose the grind on the machine or grinder to suit your brewer. Check the manufacturer's instructions. |
| Coarse for Cafetiere/French Press | Large, rough pieces, a little like coarse sea salt | Cafetière, also called a French press | The larger pieces work well with its mesh filter and longer brewing time. |
| Ground for Espresso | Fine particles, roughly like fine table salt | Espresso machine that accepts ground coffee | Fine coffee offers resistance as the machine pushes hot water through it. Machines differ, so check your manual and adjust if needed. |
| Ground for Drip/Filter | Medium-sized particles, between espresso and cafetière grind | Pour-over cone such as a V60, and filter coffee machine | Water can pass through the coffee and filter while picking up flavour. The ideal size can vary by equipment and recipe. |
The pictures are illustrations of relative size, not exact measurements. Whole beans have not yet been ground.
What about a moka pot, AeroPress or cold brew?
Our four choices do not name these methods, and none is guaranteed to be an exact match. A moka pot is a stovetop brewer that makes a small, strong coffee. An AeroPress is a brewer that presses water through coffee and a filter. Cold brew is coffee made by steeping grounds in cold water for an extended time.
- Moka pot Follow your pot maker’s grind guidance. This method often needs a size between espresso and filter, so our named options may not be an exact match. Ask us before ordering if you are unsure.
- AeroPress Start with the grind recommended in your chosen recipe. Filter-style recipes commonly use a medium grind, while other recipes call for finer coffee. Check the recipe before choosing.
- Cold brew Coarse coffee is a common starting point. Check the instructions for your brewer and filter, particularly if you are using a ready-made cold brew kit.
If you have a grinder, Whole Beans give you more control over these in-between sizes. If you are unsure which to order, ask us before buying.
Why grind size matters
Imagine pouring water through pebbles and then through sand. Smaller pieces generally leave less space for water to move through, so water can pass more slowly. In a cafetière or cold brew, the coffee sits in water instead, so the time together matters more than the speed of flow.
Water picks up flavour from coffee as they meet. Coffee that is too fine for a method can taste bitter or drying, while coffee that is too coarse can taste weak or sharp. Grind is only one part of the result, so use these as clues rather than hard rules.
Start with the drink you want
Black coffee
For coffee without milk, use a cafetière with Coarse for Cafetiere/French Press, or a pour-over cone or filter machine with Ground for Drip/Filter. A bean-to-cup machine with a grinder uses Whole Beans. Each produces a different style of cup.
Coffee with milk
Make a cup in a cafetière using Coarse for Cafetiere/French Press, then add milk. A filter machine or pour-over with Ground for Drip/Filter works too. These are simple milk coffees, even though they are not espresso-based drinks.
Espresso
Espresso is a small, concentrated coffee made when an espresso machine pushes hot water through finely ground coffee. Use Ground for Espresso in a machine that takes ground coffee, or Whole Beans in a suitable bean-to-cup machine or with an espresso-capable grinder.
Latte, cappuccino and flat white
These are espresso and milk drinks, with different amounts or textures of milk. Make espresso with an espresso machine and Ground for Espresso, then heat and froth the milk. A bean-to-cup machine that makes espresso uses Whole Beans.
No espresso machine? A moka pot can make strong coffee for a latte-style drink, although it does not make true espresso. Choose a grind that matches your pot maker’s instructions, or grind Whole Beans to suit. A cafetière coffee with milk is another easy choice.
Iced coffee
Iced coffee is brewed coffee served cold, usually over ice. Make it in a cafetière with Coarse for Cafetiere/French Press, or a filter brewer with Ground for Drip/Filter. Let hot coffee cool safely before adding ice, and add milk if you like.
Cold brew
Use a suitable cold brew jug or a cafetière to steep coffee in cold water, then filter it. A coarse grind is a common starting point, but follow your brewer’s recipe and filter guidance. It is a different method from pouring hot-brewed coffee over ice.
Whole beans or ready-ground?
Whole Beans
Whole beans let you grind just before brewing and change the size to suit your equipment. They need a separate grinder or a machine with one built in, and it may take a little practice to find the setting you like. Not every grinder can produce a suitable espresso grind, so check its specifications if that is your plan.
Ready-ground coffee
Ready-ground coffee is convenient and needs no grinder. Choose the option for your equipment when you order. You cannot adjust its size afterwards, and ground coffee can lose its freshness more quickly than whole beans, so keep the bag sealed in a cool, dry place.
What happens if I choose the wrong grind?
It happens, and it does not mean the coffee is wasted. If the cup tastes too sharp, weak, bitter or drying, check the grind against the table and your equipment instructions. Brewing time, water and the amount of coffee can affect taste too.
Do not force a blocked espresso machine, filter or cafetière plunger. Stop and follow the manufacturer's instructions. If you have ordered the wrong grind and are unsure whether you can use it, get in touch and we will help you find a practical way forward.
Frequently asked questions
Which grind should I choose for a cafetière?
Choose Coarse for Cafetiere/French Press. If you have a grinder, you can choose Whole Beans and grind them coarse yourself.
Can I use espresso grind in a cafetière?
It is usually too fine for a cafetière and can leave more sediment, the small particles that settle in your cup. It may also make the plunger difficult to press, so never force it.
Can I use filter grind in an espresso machine?
Filter grind is generally coarser than an espresso machine needs, so water may pass through too quickly and the coffee may taste weak or sharp. Choose Ground for Espresso if your machine takes ground coffee, and check its instructions.
What grind should I use for a V60?
A V60 is a cone-shaped pour-over brewer that uses a paper filter. Ground for Drip/Filter is the relevant choice in our range, though the ideal grind can vary with the recipe.
Can I put ground coffee in a bean-to-cup machine?
Some machines have a separate compartment for ground coffee, but others do not. Check your manual and never put ground coffee in the whole-bean hopper, the container that feeds beans into the grinder.
Ready to choose?
Pick the equipment you have, choose its matching grind and enjoy making coffee your way. If you are still deciding which coffee sounds good to you, our Find Your Flavour guide is a friendly place to start.
Want to explore further? Read Single Origin vs Blends. Explore How to Choose Coffee Beans and Coffee Novice Jargon.