Okay, I was totally wrong about pre-ground coffee for my French press.

For the longest time, I just grabbed the pre-ground stuff from the grocery store aisle. My buddy in Seattle kept telling me to get a grinder, but I figured it was all the same. Then I visited him last month and he made a press with beans he ground right before brewing. The difference was insane. My usual cup tasted muddy and bitter in comparison. His was clear, bright, and you could actually taste the fruit notes he was talking about. I bought a basic burr grinder the week I got back. It's only been about three weeks, but my morning coffee is a completely different drink now. Anyone have bean recommendations for a French press that aren't crazy expensive?

3 comments

3 Comments

hugog4317d ago

Has anyone else had that moment where you realize you've been doing it wrong for years? My buddy from Denver got me into whole beans last summer, and @kim.dylan is dead on about the blade grinder thing - his setup was janky as hell but the coffee tasted alive compared to the pre-ground sludge I was drinking. He swears by getting beans roasted within the last week from a local shop, says it's worth the few extra bucks over the grocery store bags.

beth_stone1mo ago

My own pre-ground phase lasted a solid two years, so I feel your pain on a spiritual level.

kim.dylan1mo ago

Remember how the pre-ground stuff always tasted kinda burnt? I started buying whole beans at the grocery store and used a cheap blade grinder I found at a thriftift store. It was messy and loud, but even that uneven grind made my morning cup taste way better, like I could actually taste the coffee instead of just ash. That small win got me hooked on figuring the rest out later.