Ground coffee: what intensity to choose?

Ground coffee is undoubtedly the form in which coffee is most consumed. With so many different products on the market, it can be difficult to choose the right strength.

Coffee harvested in the form of beans becomes ground coffee after a grinding action. Depending on the type of bean, the grinding method and the preparation of the beans, the taste and intensity of the coffee differs. How to choose ground coffee? In order to choose a coffee, it is essential to know the different stages of production and the elements that give the ground coffee its intensity.

A well-chosen coffee offers a real moment of pleasure to the taste buds and allows many consumers to start the day well. The choice of coffee remains an essential step to enjoy a cup full of aromas.

Choosing the right ground coffee

In general, when it comes to choosing a coffee, we rely primarily on taste, brand and brand values. However, to choose a coffee properly, many other criteria come into play. When you have all the elements to take into consideration, the choice of coffee can only be successful, in perfect adequacy with the tastes and expectations put in a ground coffee.

Choosing the right ground coffee is all about :

• the degree of grinding: the finer the coffee is ground, the more the aromas will infuse;
• the variety of coffee(blend, arabica or robusta);
• coffee intensity;
• the roasting of the beans;
• coffee acidity;
• coffee aromas (floral, woody, fruity, etc.).

The intensity of the coffee, balanced, intense, full-bodied, espresso or decaffeinated, is selected according to taste and needs. However, choosing only according to the intensity of the coffee, will not make the choice relevant. Indeed, the elements present in the list allow to choose a coffee according to the different criteria to be taken into consideration to make a choice of exceptional ground coffee. The intensity is not a sufficient element for a successful bet, because the coffee can be satisfactory in terms of intensity, but depreciated for its aromas or its acidity.

As for the choice of the type of coffee, it is good to know that the coffee is of arabica or robusta variety or blend (a mixture of these two varieties of coffees). Arabica coffees have the particularity of offering subtle aromas. Robusta varieties are known for their strong, bitter coffee. The strength of robustas and the higher caffeine content make them ideal for espresso coffee.

How does the intensity of a good coffee come about?

The intensity of the coffee is based on the roasting of the coffee beans. What is roasting? Coffee beans are cooked, seared, in order to develop aromas. Depending on the intensity and duration of the cooking of the beans, then they will offer a certain degree of intensity. The more the beans are roasted, the more intense the coffee will be.

There are different levels of roasting:

1. The first stage of roasting is called light roasting. Coffees roasted this way have subtle aromas and a strong acidity.
2. The second roast is called medium roast. The bean is browned and offers a balanced coffee. These are coffees with little acidity, little bitterness and fairly mild aromas.
3. The next level of roasting is the dark roast, so called because the beans are a very dark brown, almost black. The coffee from this roast has smoky notes, without any floral or flowery aromas. The bitterness of this roast and the smokiness of the beans increase the intensity of the coffee. Dark roasted coffees are ideal for espresso consumption.
4. The last stage of roasting is the very dark roast, when the coffee beans are roasted until they turn black. The coffees from this stage are commonly consumed in ristretto. Indeed, the bitterness very present is appreciated in short coffees.
   
   

How to consume ground coffee?

Ground coffee is very popular with the general public, as it does not require the use of a coffee grinder or bean grinder. Ground coffee is still less delicate than coffee beans, but it still offers a respectable and appreciated quality. Furthermore, ground coffee offers the advantage of being less expensive than coffee in capsules, pods or beans.

To consume ground coffee, there are several possibilities:

• the classic coffee maker;
• the Italian coffee maker ;
• the piston coffee maker ;
• the espresso machine;
• the oriental coffee maker.

Each type of coffee maker has its own preparation method and grind. Indeed, piston coffee makers have a rather large filtration method, which does not allow the use of extremely finely ground coffee. Indeed, a coffee that is too fine would not be properly filtered and would affect the flavors of the coffee, making it less enjoyable.

When preparing coffee, theextraction method is very important. It affects the intensity of the coffee and its degree of bitterness. Preparing coffee is an art, based on several elements:

• the water should not be boiling, as this could burn the coffee, nor should it be too cold, as this would not allow for a good extraction;
• a finely ground coffee allows a better extraction;
• the longer the coffee is brewed, the better the extraction.

To sum up, the choice of a coffee and its intensity is above all a question of aroma, flavor and taste. Depending on the type of coffee and its fineness, some coffee machines are more suitable than others. To fully appreciate and enjoy the flavors of an excellent coffee, it must be prepared properly.

Indeed, some coffees are not reserved for plunger coffee makers, or on the contrary for electric coffee makers, because these machines do not allow to reveal the power and the aromas of coffee in their entirety. Choosing a coffee is to take into account the different elements mentioned above. However, it is important to keep in mind that to enjoy a well-chosen coffee, it is essential to respect the method of preparation to the letter.

We recommend these other pages:

• Which variety of ground coffee to choose?
• How to choose the right grind of ground coffee?
• Why choose ground coffee in pods?