Coffee Grinders

True coffee lovers agree: the best coffee comes from freshly ground beans. Grinding your own coffee beans  has several advantages over buying pre-ground. For one, it is the first step to ensuring you get a fresh cup of coffee. (Beans ground two weeks ago and kept in the freezer are not fresh!) Grinding coffee beans releases the flavours and aroma. After a few days of being ground the coffee will naturally lose some of that flavour and freshness. Whole beans stay fresh and strong for weeks before you grind them. Also, if you grind the beans yourself, you have absolute control over the fineness of the grounds, from coarse to espresso-fine.

If you are going to grind your own coffee, you are going to need two things: coffee beans  and a coffee grinder.  

How to Choose

There are two main types of grinders that you will see on the market. Unless you are grinding massive amounts of coffee (say, for a café) then you don't really need a commercial grinder. They do boast exceptional speed and power for a large capacity machine; however, they tend to be quite bulky for home use. Below are the two types of home models. First, consider:

• How much do you want to spend?
• How often do you grind coffee?
• How important is it for you to retain the fullest flavour of the bean?
• Do you need the machine to work exceptionally well for both making drip coffee and espresso?

Blade Grinders vs. Burr Grinders
Blade Grinders  Usually less expensive than burr grinders. Quick grinding. They take up very little counter space. Can be used to grind other things in the kitchen. Sharp metal blade pulverises the bean at a consistent speed until desired texture is reached. The heat produced by the spinning blade may affect the taste of the coffee because it can burn the beans. Not as easy to clean or get the grinds out. Not recommended for getting a very fine consistency for making espresso or Turkish coffee, however, it does do the trick for the average user.	Burr Grinders  Generally preferred by coffee enthusiasts. Strips slivers of bean from the surface; exposes more area than a blade grinder. More surface area means more flavourful coffee. Produces less heat than blade grinding, preserving the aromatics of the coffee. They do not get oily and make the best coffee. More expensive. Two types of Burr Grinders: Wheel Burr or Flat-Plate : Sometimes messy and loud, but they are good for espresso. Conical : Fine for oily or flavoured coffees and espresso.

Major Manufacturers

• Capresso 
• Braun 
• Bodum 
• Pavoni 
• Rancilio 
• Mazzer 
• Gaggia 
• Kenwood 

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