How to Grind Coffee Beans with a Blender
Move over, margaritas.
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We’ve all been there — you rouse from a bad night’s sleep and stumble to the kitchen to make the liquid fuel you’ll need to get the day going. You go to grind the beans and ... nothing. The grinder is DOA. Sure, you could give up and climb back into bed. Or, you could power through the morning routine and then drag yourself to the closest coffee shop.
But there’s another solution. An appliance you likely already have is ready and waiting to grind those beans: It's time to break out the blender. You might think of blenders as your 5 p.m. margarita helper, but they are a great alternative to coffee grinders because they still have a blade system that breaks down the beans evenly, creating a consistent grind.
Consistency in the grind of coffee beans is vital to the flavor of the cup it produces. If there are inconsistencies, the natural oils found within the beans will be improperly extracted, resulting in a bitter flavor. With the perfect, consistent grind, the oils and flavors of the beans will be extracted with a much greater accuracy, resulting in a smoother cup of coffee. If you’re concerned about the consistency of your grind, there’s no need to fret. Grinding the beans in small batches will ensure that your beans have ample room to move and groove and grind up real nice. Additionally, working in small batches preserves the flavor of the beans because, the longer the blender runs, the higher the temperature inside of the vessel will rise. As heat is generated, the natural oils of the beans could begin to cook, resulting in a harsh, bitter flavor. So, just remember: Small batches and patience are key!
Okay, now that we have some background information, it’s time to get to grinding. The first step is to toss a small amount (try 1/4 cup) of beans into the blender. Pulse the beans on medium speed to break them down to your preferred grind. Using a blender generally creates a coarser grind, great for brewing with a drip coffee maker, French press or cold-brew coffee maker. Once this first small batch is done, repeat these simple steps until you have your desired volume.
From here, proceed as usual, brewing the all-star cup of coffee you deserve. Though, while you're at it, be sure you're brewing the best-possible cup, no matter what your go-to brewing method is.
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