Drinking coffee is a ritual shared by people all over the world.
There are those who like their coffee hot and those who prefer it cold, those who drink American long coffee and those who opt for the strong taste of espresso with their eyes closed.
But there is one question that all fans of the black drink ask themselves: is it better to buy ground coffee or coffee beans?
When you walk into a coffee shop, one of the classic sounds is that of the coffee grinder reducing the beans to powder to be used on the spot. Large bags of coffee beans are poured into the equipment and the ritual begins. The aroma permeates the room and the desire for good coffee pervades the customers.
But for home consumption, habits are different. People often give up the organoleptic characteristics of good coffee in the name of convenience.
People who drink coffee at home generally buy ready-ground coffee for use in the Moka or professional coffee machine.
In fact, powder is much easier to handle in daily use: the packages are easy to open and store, they are of a size suitable for home coffee consumption and, in addition, it is quicker to prepare coffee without using a grinder or dispenser.
This solution is very suitable for people who consume a lot of coffee at home and do not have time to devote to the espresso ritual.
However, coffee purists know that there is a big difference between ground coffee and coffee beans.
Coffee beans give a far superior result in terms of aroma and freshness.
So the choice has to be made according to your drinking habits.
How much coffee do you drink per day? Do you have time to prepare a cup of espresso as good as at the bar?
Why do you choose one over the other?
In terms of aroma, coffee beans retain their organoleptic characteristics better. It is no coincidence that it is the one most often used by bars, cafés and restaurants.
In fact, grinding coffee on the spot improves its taste and allows you to enjoy a fresher product.
However, consumers prefer to buy coffee already ground, giving up some of its characteristics.
This is not a question of saving money, but of convenience. Since the coffee powder has already been processed by someone else, its price is higher than the coffee beans.
The advantage of ground coffee is that it is ready to be put into the machine and extracted. Standard grinding, however, does not take into account certain factors such as:
- the humidity of the air;
- the atmospheric temperature;
- the characteristics of the water.
To remedy these disadvantages, the only option is to opt for a high-quality powder.
Coffee beans are more complex to use on a daily basis, because grinding them on the spot requires more time and the use of a coffee grinder. The equipment for grinding coffee is also an expense that should be weighed against consumption.
If you love coffee, however, this option will give you a lot of satisfaction in terms of taste and savings. The grinder is a cost that pays for itself over time and allows you to adjust the grinding parameters to your taste. Moreover, coffee beans are less expensive than powder.
What is the difference between ground coffee and coffee beans?
The biggest difference between ground coffee and coffee beans is the aroma. Coffee is a very delicate substance that, in contact with air, oxidises and loses its organoleptic characteristics.
What does this mean?
Coffee’s greatest enemies are atmospheric agents: air, water, humidity and heat. Ground coffee is much more permeable and porous, and is more affected by contact with these factors.
This means that it loses its characteristics more quickly: its freshness and aroma are particularly affected.
Thanks to the roasting process, coffee beans retain their characteristics for longer. This does not mean that oxidation does not take place, but coffee beans are more resistant to external attacks.
By using the same quality of coffee, whether ground coffee or coffee beans, the taste will be the same. But consider that the change in taste will occur at different times. Also remember that storage is one of the most important elements in preserving the taste of coffee.
So is coffee beans the best?
If you are wondering whether to choose coffee beans or ground coffee, the answer is obvious. If you want to make the moment of espresso something truly unique, coffee beans are the best choice of taste.
Coffee beans, in fact, maintain the characteristics of coffee for longer, but only if it is consumed fresh and ground on the spot. Otherwise, you run the risk of drinking coffee that tastes terrible!
Keep in mind, however, that opting for coffee beans is more tiring and time-consuming. Every day, you have to spend a few minutes grinding, trying to make a powder that is neither too fine nor too coarse. In fact, it is this process that causes the burnt taste or other alterations in flavour.
Also make sure that the coffee grinder does not overheat the beans.
In addition, always take care with storage. In fact, as we have already mentioned, heat, light or humidity alter the coffee, making it acidic and causing a loss of flavour.
How to grind it and why freshly ground is best
If you are not always in a hurry and you like to take your time when preparing, then the best choice for enjoying your espresso is certainly coffee beans.
But nothing should be left to chance and buying good quality coffee beans is not enough. In order to prepare good coffee and ensure that its aroma is intense and fresh, it is best to grind the coffee on the spot.
By doing so, the coffee beans will retain their characteristics over time and the coffee will taste rich in flavour.
By grinding coffee on the spot, you will get a better quality coffee than if you had already ground it and you will be able to enjoy a drink with an intense aroma.
When breakfast or a coffee break is a real ritual, freshly ground coffee beans are a must.
Until a few years ago, the only way to grind coffee was with a manual coffee grinder.
Today, technology comes to your aid and you can obtain coffee powder in no time at all, with an electric machine. When making your purchase, remember that coffee beans are sensitive to heat and this appliance should therefore heat up as little as possible during grinding so as not to spoil the result.
The ground powder should be even, neither over-extracted nor under-extracted, so that the coffee is not bitter or has a burnt aftertaste.
Summary
The smell of coffee is one of the pleasures for coffee lovers, who often wonder whether it is better to consume ground coffee or coffee beans.
We now know that the optimal choice depends on consumption habits. In fact, ground coffee is more porous than coffee beans and loses its characteristics in a shorter time. For this reason, if you opt for ground coffee you have to be sure to consume it quickly and, above all, watch out for the way it is stored.
Coffee beans are more resistant and retain their taste over time. When you grind your coffee on the spot, the aroma you release is much more intense and rich.
This guarantees that unmistakable coffee taste that purists cannot do without. To grind the beans you need a coffee grinder and, above all, a real dedication to this beverage. The resulting powder should not be too grainy or too fine, so as not to alter the flavour of your espresso.
If you want an intensely flavoured coffee every day, then coffee beans, a grinder and a good coffee machine are a must in your kitchen corner.
To drink an excellent coffee at any time of the day, discover our lever coffee machines. With Pontevecchio, the taste of your coffee will always be unmistakable and rich.
