Can I buy ground coffee for an espresso machine?
Whilst ground coffee beans will always be fresher than pre-ground powder, yes, you can buy ground espresso powder. Even major supermarkets now stock espresso ground coffee, which they’ll have in bags or tins sitting beside instant coffee, dark roast or unground beans. Freshly ground coffee is generally considered to be better than pre-ground coffee because it has a more vibrant flavor and aroma. This is because the process of grinding coffee beans causes them to release volatile compounds that contribute to the flavor and aroma of the final product.Ground coffee is freshest within two weeks of being roasted. Storing it in an airtight container in a cool, dark place can extend its shelf life by a few more weeks. Consider buying coffee in small batches and using it within a few weeks for optimal freshness.Moisture (ahead of brewing) is one of the great enemies of coffee freshness. The three great enemies of coffee freshness are: light, moisture, and oxygen. By keeping your coffee away from those three, you can maintain great, fresh coffee.
Can I use a blender to grind coffee?
Using a blender is one of the easiest ways to grind your beans to a good consistency at home, when a coffee grinder isn’t available. Some blenders may have a ‘grind’ setting built into them, which makes this even easier. If yours doesn’t, the ‘pulse’ setting is your best bet at creating a consistent grind. Use a mortar and pestle to get a consistent medium-fine to fine grind. It will take some time and elbow grease, but you should get excellent results. Use a food processor to pulse beans to your desired texture. Try blitzing a scant 1/2 cup of whole beans at a time for more consistent results.
Can I use pre-ground coffee for espresso?
That depends. Generally speaking, unless the pre-ground coffee is labelled ‘espresso’, it probably won’t make a great shot. The grind is almost certainly too coarse for espresso. Too little water, you risk under-extract: coffee tastes sour, sharp, or grassy. Too much water, you risk over-extracting: the cup can become bitter, hollow, or harsh. Finding the right balance between water and coffee helps you control both strength and flavor. That’s why ratio matters more than people think.The reason Starbucks’ universal grind goes to medium-course is that most of the more popular methods of home coffee brewing involve longer water exposure, so a fine grind would result in an over-extracted cup.Yes, Starbucks will grind your coffee for you for free! Their baristas have been trained to grind their coffee beans to the perfect size and consistency that will yield the best flavor and richness of taste.