Welcome to a special episode of La Taza Habla, where we continue our deep dive into the art of coffee grinding and its profound impact on coffee flavor. Join Don Cox as he welcomes back specialty coffee expert Gary Horn from GH Grinding and Brewing Solutions. In this episode, we address common questions from home brewing enthusiasts, from finding the perfect grind size (a little above table salt!) to the debate over misting beans. Gary shares his invaluable insights on why a fresh grind every day is the non-negotiable key to unlocking your coffee's full aromatic potential. We'll explore the journey from novice to coffee connoisseur and discuss why investing in a quality, lifetime burr grinder like the Pinion, with its fast steel flat burrs is the most impactful decision you can make for your bean to cup experience. Learn how to simplify your setup with pre-calibrated grinders and discover why the right gear is the secret to a consistently great cup.

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1. Grind Fresh, Grind Daily: The longer coffee grounds sit, the more aromatics they lose. Grinding just before you brew is the most critical step for a flavorful cup.

2. Size Matters: The ideal grind for filter coffee should be slightly larger than table salt to ensure proper water flow and extraction.

3. Invest in Quality: A lifetime grinder is a better investment than a cheap, temporary one. Look for a quality machine with durable steel burrs.

4. Simplify the Process: High-quality grinders are often pre-calibrated for specific brew methods, making it simple for new users to find the right setting without wasting coffee.

5. Skip the Spray: Misting or spraying water on your beans is unnecessary for quality grinders and can lead to rust and damage over time.

All Mentioned Resources with Links

• Bald Guy Brew: The host's coffee company, specializing in ethically sourced, small-batch coffee. baldguybrew.com

• Gary Horn Grinding and Brewing Solutions (GHGBS): The guest's company, a distributor of professional-grade coffee equipment. ghgbs.com

• Pinion Grinder: A recommended grinder from Pinecone Swiss, known for its speed and steel flat burrs. [Link to product page on GHGBS or a distributor's site]

• Bonavita Brewer: A recommended coffee brewer known for its consistent, SCA-certified performance. [Link to product page]

• Instagram: Connect with the host and guest for updates and more coffee talk. @baldguybrew

1. What's one thing you're going to change about your grinding routine after listening to this episode?

2. Are you currently using a grinder? What kind do you have, and what are your thoughts on it?

3. What's a coffee brewing myth you've heard that you want us to tackle in a future episode?

Glossary

Aromatics: The volatile compounds that give coffee its distinct smell and flavor. Grinding coffee releases these aromatics, which is why fresh-ground coffee smells so powerful.

Burr Grinder: A type of coffee grinder that uses two revolving abrasive surfaces (burrs) to grind coffee beans. They produce a more consistent grind size than blade grinders, which is essential for a good cup of coffee.

Calibrated: Refers to a grinder that has its burrs properly aligned and set to a specific zero point, ensuring consistent grind sizes across different settings. The podcast highlights that quality grinders often come pre-calibrated to simplify use for consumers.

Chasing the Grind: A term used in the coffee community, particularly for espresso, to describe the frustrating process of making endless micro-adjustments to the grinder setting in an attempt to achieve the perfect extraction.

Coffee Connoisseur: An expert or a person with refined taste in coffee. The podcast positions the home coffee enthusiast on a journey to becoming a connoisseur.

Conical Burrs: A type of burr grinder where one burr is cone-shaped and the other is a ring. They are known for being quieter and having less retention of grounds than flat burrs.

Fines: Very small, powder-like coffee particles produced during the grinding process. Excessive fines can lead to over-extraction and bitterness in the final brew. The podcast mentions that misting beans can reduce fines.

Flat Burrs: A type of burr grinder with two parallel, ring-shaped burrs. They are celebrated in the podcast for their ability to produce a very uniform particle size distribution, which leads to consistent flavor.

Fresh Grind: The process of grinding coffee beans immediately before brewing. The podcast stresses that this is the most crucial step for preserving the coffee's flavor and aromatics, as these compounds begin to dissipate shortly after grinding.

Particle Size Distribution: The range of sizes of coffee particles after grinding. A uniform distribution (all particles being a similar size) is key to consistent and balanced flavor extraction. The podcast praises flat burrs for their ability to create a uniform pattern.