If you are new to the world of coffee, you might be having a hard time deciding between whole beans and ground coffee. While most coffee snobs prefer whole beans, ground coffee can also be a good option at times. This guide will compare the pros and cons of both types of coffees so you can decide which one is the right option for you!
What is the difference?
You may be wondering what the difference is between the two. Ground coffee is technically made from whole beans but it is grounded and packed. While it is more convenient to use, it won’t offer you the same intensity and flavor like whole bean coffee.
Whole bean coffee comes to you whole and you have to grind them yourself! Most people prefer to grind them only a few moments before brewing, so they can enjoy a more fresh and intense flavor.
Now let’s compare whole beans and ground coffee on a few metrics:
Freshness
You will want your coffee to be fresh and flavorful. Technically grounded coffee goes stale faster. This is because ground coffee has a higher surface area which means it oxidizes much faster. However, whole bean coffee also eventually goes stale and this process happens more quickly if you do not store your coffee properly. So make sure that you store the coffee properly in airtight bags and out of direct sunlight.
The good thing is that most coffee now comes in foil-lined bags that have one-way valves. These bags are extremely efficient at keeping your coffee fresh whether it is roasted or fresh.
Consistency
Grinding whole beans yourself can be hard work. And it also largely depends on the quality of the grinder you own. A cheap electric blade grinder will obviously not give the same results as an expensive machine. So in case your grinder isn’t great, you might end up with coffee with an inconsistent texture and this can ruin the taste. So in case you do not have a fancy grinder, it may be better to opt for pre-ground coffee since its already uniformly grounded.
Sustainability
It's important to consider how sustainable and customizable each type of coffee is. If you are grinding whole beans yourself, you can adjust and customize the grind based on your brew method. The way you grind determines the extraction speed and hence the strength of the coffee. Grinding too finely can result in over-extracted coffee and grinding coarsely can result in under-extracted coffee. With pre-grinded coffee, you are not able to enjoy this level of customization and will end up with a random level of extraction.
Conclusion
Whole beans seem to win on most fronts, since they stay fresh longer and allow you to customize and enjoy the true intensity of coffee. However, in case you are someone who does not have time to grind their own coffee and prefer consistently grounded coffee, you can always opt for pre-ground coffee. We hope this article helped you decide which coffee works best for you!