It’s no secret that coffee drinkers tend to be very passionate about their daily dose of caffeine. From your go-to order at major chain coffee stores to how you brew at home, it all comes down to a matter of opinion. One of the most widely debated aspects of home-brews is rather you should purchase whole bean coffee and grind it yourself or buy pre-ground coffee for convenience sake – but what’s really the right answer?
Ground Coffee
Buying coffee that’s already ground is convenient and for years it was the norm. Brewing ground coffee will still leave you with a cup of coffee that tastes technically fine, but it definitely isn’t the best it could be. Ground coffee will taste pretty much the same every time you brew it since the grounds are all the same coarseness. With whole coffee, you can change the coarseness depending on your flavor preferences and brewing method to get the best flavor profile possible. The benefits of ground coffee stop at the convenience factor, but the benefits of whole beans go so much further!
Whole Bean Coffee
Whole bean coffee stays fresh longer than ground coffee since oxygen can’t affect a whole bean as quickly as it can grounds. You can grind the beans right before brewing, so you’ll get fresh coffee instead of stale pre-ground coffee. Whole beans also allow you to expand beyond an auto-drip coffee pot. You can make espresso, cold brew, French press, pour-over, and so much more, all starting with your whole beans! Different brew types require a different coarseness of the grounds. With pre-ground coffee, you don’t have the option of brewing much beyond an auto-drip coffee without the flavor being less than ideal.
Which is Better?
In case you didn’t catch on by now, whole bean coffee is better! Yes, it will take time to adjust to grinding your own coffee, but soon it will become a part of your morning ritual that you love. Grinding your own coffee and creating different brews turns your coffee drinking habit into an enjoyable experience and daily self-care routine. There’s little to no price difference between whole and pre-ground coffee either, so making the switch won’t hurt your wallet.
To get the most out of your whole bean coffee, look beyond your local supermarket. Local coffee shops and smaller retailers are more likely to have fresh coffee beans for sale. It’s ideal to use whole beans 1-2 weeks after they were roasted, which is nearly impossible when you’re buying from a chain retail store. Don’t be afraid to branch out and try new types of coffee when you start purchasing whole beans – any flavor is almost guaranteed to taste better than the pre-ground coffee you were drinking before!
