Brew Guide
Grind Size Guide
Grind size is one of the most important details in coffee. It controls how quickly water moves through the grounds, how much flavour is extracted, and whether the final cup tastes bright, sweet, balanced, thin, bitter or heavy.
At Asteri, every coffee can be supplied whole bean or ground to your chosen method. This guide helps you understand why grind matters. And how to choose the right texture for the way you brew.
Why Grind Size Matters
Extraction is the whole story
Coffee extraction is the process of water drawing flavour from ground coffee. A finer grind exposes more surface area and extracts faster. A coarser grind extracts more slowly.
If the grind is too coarse, the coffee may taste sharp, sour, weak or hollow. If the grind is too fine, it may taste bitter, dry, harsh or heavy.
The right grind helps the coffee find balance: sweetness, acidity, body, aroma and finish in the right proportion.
The Asteri Grind Guide
Method by method
Espresso
Very fine
Designed for high pressure, short extraction and concentrated flavour.
Moka Pot
Fine to medium-fine
Slightly coarser than espresso, giving richness without excessive bitterness.
AeroPress
Medium-fine to medium
Flexible depending on recipe, brew time and desired body.
Filter / Pour-over
Medium
Clean, even and suitable for clarity, aroma and balance.
French Press / Cafetière
Coarse
Designed for longer immersion and a fuller-bodied cup.
Cold Brew
Very coarse
Slow extraction over many hours, producing a smooth, rounded cup.
Match the Grind to the Method
Three textures, three characters
Fine grind
Best for
- Espresso
- Some AeroPress recipes
- Small, fast extractions
Expected cup
- Intense
- Structured
- Concentrated
- Sweet when balanced
Watch for
- Bitterness
- Dryness
- Slow flow
- Over-extraction
Medium grind
Best for
- Filter
- Pour-over
- AeroPress
- Some batch brew methods
Expected cup
- Balanced
- Clear
- Aromatic
- Expressive
Watch for
- Sourness if too coarse
- Dryness if too fine
- Uneven extraction
Coarse grind
Best for
- French press
- Cafetière
- Cold brew
- Longer immersion methods
Expected cup
- Rounded
- Full-bodied
- Gentle
- Comforting
Watch for
- Weakness
- Muddiness
- Excess sediment
How to Adjust Flavour
Small changes, clearer cup
Sour or thin
Try grinding slightly finer, increasing brew time or using slightly hotter water.
Bitter or dry
Try grinding slightly coarser, reducing brew time or using slightly cooler water.
Weak
Use more coffee, grind slightly finer or check your water-to-coffee ratio.
Muddy or heavy
Grind coarser, reduce agitation or use a paper filter method.
Espresso runs too fast
Grind finer.
Espresso chokes or barely flows
Grind coarser.
Whole Bean or Ground to Order?
Choose the freshest path
Whole bean gives you the greatest control and preserves aroma for longer. If you have a grinder at home, we recommend choosing whole bean and grinding just before brewing.
If you do not have a grinder, Asteri can grind your coffee to suit your method. Tell us how you brew. Espresso, moka pot, filter, French press or AeroPress, and we will prepare it accordingly.
A Note on Espresso Grinding
The most sensitive method
Espresso is the most sensitive brew method. Small changes in grind size can dramatically change flow, flavour and balance.
If you order espresso-ground coffee, we will grind it to a careful starting point, but different machines, baskets and pressures may still require adjustment. For the most precise espresso, whole bean and a capable grinder are best.
The Grind Ritual
Let taste guide the final decision
Grind is not just a technical detail. It is part of the ritual. The sound of beans breaking, the aroma released before brewing, the adjustment from one method to another. All of it shapes the final cup.
Choose the grind that suits your method, but let taste guide the final decision.