Journal
Choosing a hand grinder
A good hand grinder is the best upgrade for a home coffee setup, and it costs less than most electric burr grinders of the same quality.
Burrs first
Look for steel conical burrs and a central shaft supported by two bearings. That keeps the burrs aligned and the grind even.
Adjustment
Clear, numbered clicks make it easy to move between brewers and to repeat a recipe.
Capacity
Most hand grinders hold 20 to 30 g, enough for one or two cups. For a large carafe you will grind twice.
Notes from the roastery
Every recipe on this journal is tested at the roastery before we publish it. We brew it with at least two coffees, one light and one darker, and we change one variable at a time. If a step does not make a difference you can taste, we leave it out. Coffee should be simple to make well at home.
Three habits matter more than any gadget: weigh your coffee and water, grind just before brewing, and use fresh beans with a roast date on the bag. Get those right and most recipes will taste good on the first try.
Coffees to try
- Mexico Chiapas: milk chocolate, orange, walnut
- Burundi Kayanza: red currant, rose, honey
- Indonesia Sumatra: cedar, dark chocolate, clove
Every bag carries its roast date. Most coffees taste their best between one and four weeks after roasting. Keep the bag closed, squeeze out the air, and store it in a cupboard away from the oven. If you buy more than you can drink in a month, freeze single doses in sealed bags and grind them straight from the freezer.