Few modern people can imagine the morning without a cup of aromatic drink with a slight bitterness and a pleasant aftertaste, giving a boost of energy for the whole day. But how do you choose the ground coffee that's right for you? After all, the range of mixtures is so wide that when you come to the store, your eyes widen and it becomes difficult to make a choice. Following the lead of intrusive advertising, we buy a bright package with promising inscriptions, but often our expectations are not met. Let's look into the details and determine which ground coffee to choose, what you really need to pay attention to when choosing.
For which device is it intended?
The type of coffee that is used for brewing depends on what device is involved in the preparation: an automatic coffee machine, capsule, carob or geyser coffee maker. Coffee machines and coffee makers differ in their operating principles, which is why they use different types of coffee.
Attention! Before purchasing, be sure to read the instructions for your device which raw materials the manufacturer recommends, how to cook it, and strictly follow the recommendations!
Most units cannot cook flavored, caramelized beans. This leads to a reduction in the service life of the device.
Grain
This type is suitable for automatic coffee machines that have a built-in coffee grinder. The device independently grinds the grain and turns it into an invigorating elixir. A drink made from such raw materials is very aromatic and has the best taste.
You can either buy a ready-made mixture or create a blend of different types of coffee at your discretion. Grains are sold in regular supermarkets and online stores in packages or by weight in specialized retail outlets.
Ground
Used in geyser, drip and carob coffee makers, as well as French presses. Some automatic coffee machines also allow brewing from ground beans. This allows you to make wonderful coffee, provided that the grind is fresh. If the powder has been stored for a long time, then all the smell and taste have already disappeared from it, so you won’t get a good drink.
You can buy ground coffee in a supermarket already packaged or in a specialized store in beans, which will be ground for you there.
In capsules
Suitable for capsule coffee machines. This is ground coffee, packaged in special capsules, the contents of which are just enough for one serving. They have a balanced composition for preparing a certain type: espresso, Americano, cappuccino, latte, lungo and others.
The advantage of this type of packaging is ease of use and excellent preservation of properties. The main disadvantages are the high cost and limited range. Here you will no longer be able to somehow influence the taste of the drink: its composition, strength and amount of milk completely depend on the manufacturer.
In pods
A variety similar to the capsule system, only here the coffee is packaged in the form of tablets in perforated paper bags - pods. Each serving is protected with a foil wrapper. Suitable for pod coffee makers, as well as some carob devices equipped with an adapter.
It is worth noting that compared to capsules, they are inexpensive and just as convenient to use.
TOP 3 coarse ground coffee
| Photo | Name | Rating | Price | |
| #1 | Illy | ⭐ 96 / 100 5 — votes | More details | |
| #2 | Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo | ⭐ 90 / 100 2 - votes | More details | |
| #3 | Lebo Exclusive | ⭐ 88 / 100 3 - votes | More details |
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Coarsely ground coffee has the richest taste, so it is chosen by true connoisseurs of coffee taste, which is perfectly revealed with various desserts, toppings and additives.
No. 3 – Lebo Exclusive
Lebo Exclusive
One of the most budget-friendly types of coarsely ground coffee, the quality is not inferior to more expensive analogues. The product is made from selected Arabica coffee beans grown on Colombian farms and has a medium roast. The taste of the finished drink is very rich, rich, containing notes of caramel and cocoa. The aftertaste is fruity, with notes of wine. An excellent choice for even the most sophisticated coffee lovers.
Characteristics of Lebo Exclusive coffee:
- variety - Arabica;
- grinding – coarse;
- degree of roasting – medium;
- average cost – 190 rubles per pack of 250 g.
pros
- very affordable price with high quality;
- goes well with various alcoholic drinks, fruits and desserts, revealing them in a new way and emphasizing their individual taste;
- Contains selected 100% Arabica beans.
Minuses
- not identified.
Prices for Lebo Exclusive coffee
Coffee Lebo Exclusive
No. 2 – Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo
Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo
Very expensive, elite coffee, the cost of which is more than 1000 rubles per 250 g jar. The production uses selected beans of two varieties of Arabica, which are extracted from plantations in South America. The drink has a harmonious, whole taste with notes of chocolate and a spicy floral motif. Suitable for gourmets and connoisseurs of aristocratic taste. Pairs well with cheese and fruit.
Characteristics of Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo coffee:
- variety - Arabica;
- grinding – coarse;
- degree of roasting – light;
- average cost – 1174 rubles per 250 g jar.
pros
- the finished drink has a unique blend, which is produced by the composition of two elite Arabica varieties;
- soft taste.
Minuses
- very high cost.
Prices for Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo coffee
Coffee Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo
No. 1 - Illy
Illy
Illy is coarsely ground coffee for use in geyser-type coffee makers. The taste of the drink is rich, fully revealed from the first sip, and has sweet notes of chocolate and caramel. A special feature of this manufacturer is the packaging of beans under pressure, which results in natural mixing of essential coffee oils. This method allows you not only to preserve the freshness and beneficial properties of the product, but also to reveal the taste and aroma of ground coffee in a new way.
Characteristics of Illy coffee:
- variety - Arabica;
- grinding – coarse;
- degree of roasting – medium;
- average cost – 719 rubles per 250 g jar.
pros
- the product is packaged under pressure, which helps preserve its taste and beneficial properties;
- soft, long-lasting taste.
Minuses
- high price.
Reviews and prices for Illy coffee
By composition
The most common coffee varieties are Arabica and Robusta. They occupy about 98% of the market, the remaining varieties: Liberica, Excelsa and Arabusta make up only 2% and are almost never found on sale, so we will not consider them.
Arabica gives the drink most of its flavor; it is characterized by sourness and a variety of shades depending on the region of growth and degree of roasting. However, this variety is practically caffeine-free and has a mild aroma.
If you want to experience all the shades of a certain coffee, then choose a single-origin coffee. This is 100% Arabica, collected in one region, on one plantation, which means it has the same properties. This way you can get the most out of the flavor characteristics.
- Varieties from Brazil are characterized by nutty and cocoa notes.
- The most acidic grains come from Ethiopia, Kenya and Mexico.
- A product from Jamaica has a berry aftertaste with a peppery tint.
- Coffee from Guatemala and Uganda has a dark chocolate flavor.
- The least acidic species grow in Cuba, the Dominican Republic and India.
The Arabica variety is quite finicky to grow and is susceptible to a variety of diseases. This explains the high cost of raw materials. Although breeders are working on developing less demanding and more resistant crops, let’s hope that the product will soon become more accessible.
Robusta has a distinct aroma and contains twice as much caffeine as Arabica. It is very bitter, so only amateurs drink the drink made exclusively from these grains. But robusta allows you to achieve everyone’s favorite delicate foam.
Plants in this category are less demanding to care for, and therefore the cost of the product is less.
On sale there are mainly blends that include both types in different proportions: 90/10, 80/20, 70/30. Arabica almost always predominates in blends.
TOP 4 medium ground coffee
| Photo | Name | Rating | Price | |
| #1 | Lavazza Crema e Gusto | ⭐ 98 / 100 6 — votes | More details | |
| #2 | Julius Meinl Viennese breakfast | ⭐ 94 / 100 1 - voice | More details | |
| #3 | Julius Meinl President | ⭐ 90 / 100 | More details | |
| #4 | Jardin Americano Crema | ⭐ 85 / 100 4 - votes | More details |
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Medium grind coffee is a drink with a classic taste of medium strength. It is best to drink it for breakfast or after lunch, as this coffee has a strong tonic effect. Good additions to medium-ground coffee are lemons, cream and desserts based on natural berries.
No. 4 – Jardin Americano Crema
Jardin Americano Crema
One of the most popular brands of ground coffee. Jardin Americano Crema coffee has a soft and harmonious taste and a rich caramel shade due to low roasting. A special feature of the finished drink is the presence of dense creamy foam. Arabica beans are used in production (more than 90%), and the taste is diluted with notes of robusta, resulting in a delicate and tart aftertaste after drinking the drink.
Characteristics of Jardin Americano Crema coffee:
- variety – Arabica/Robusta;
- grinding – medium;
- degree of roasting – light;
- average cost – 181 rubles per pack of 250 g.
pros
- high Arabica content;
- soft and harmonious taste;
- delicate creamy foam;
- affordable price.
Minuses
- not identified.
Reviews and prices for Jardin Americano Crem coffee
No. 3 – Julius Meinl President
Julius Meinl President
Julius Meinl President is one of the most popular brands of medium ground coffee. This is premium coffee with a bright, memorable taste, made from high-quality high-mountain Arabica beans. All products from this manufacturer are produced in tight vacuum packaging, which allows you to preserve all the taste and aroma as much as possible. Julius Meinl President has a slightly bitter aftertaste and slight sourness, as it contains 15% robusta.
Characteristics of coffee Julius Meinl President:
- variety – Arabica 85%, Robusta 15%;
- grinding – medium;
- degree of roasting – medium;
- average cost – 287 rubles per pack of 250 g.
pros
- contains high quality grains.
Minuses
- not identified.
Coffee prices Julius Meinl President
Coffee Julius Meinl President
No. 2 – Julius Meinl Viennese breakfast
Julius Meinl Viennese Breakfast
Another type of coffee from the manufacturer Julius Meinl. It has a tart taste with a piquant bitterness and is high in strength, so it is recommended to drink it during an early breakfast to invigorate and recharge your batteries. The strength is ensured by the high content of robusta, as well as Italian (dark) roasting.
Characteristics of Julius Meinl Viennese Breakfast coffee:
- variety – Arabica 75%, Robusta 25%;
- grinding – medium;
- degree of roasting – dark;
- average cost – 348 rubles per pack of 250 g.
pros
- helps to wake up in the morning or cheer up after hard mental work.
Minuses
- very strong;
- The taste is not for everyone (according to customer reviews, it is very bitter).
Coffee prices Julius Meinl Viennese breakfast
Coffee Julius Meinl Viennese breakfast
No. 1 – Lavazza Crema e Gusto
Lavazza Crema e Gusto
One of the best brands of strong black coffee, medium grind, containing only 30% Arabica. Due to strong roasting, the drink turns out strong, rich and thick with dense foam.
Characteristics of Lavazza Crema e Gusto coffee:
- variety – Arabica 30%, Robusta 70%;
- grinding – medium;
- degree of roasting – dark;
- The average cost is 253 rubles per pack of 250 g.
pros
- excellent tart taste for lovers of strong coffee.
Minuses
- not identified.
Prices for Lavazza Crema e Gusto coffee
Coffee Lavazza Crema e Gusto
By degree of roasting
Different countries historically use different temperatures for roasting beans.
- Light
This type includes Scandinavian (200 – 210 ℃) and American (210 – 220 ℃), which are characterized by careful treatment of coffee beans. The drink made from such beans is highly sour, but you can fully capture all the nuances of single-origin beans: chocolate, spicy, nutty overtones. However, in Russia this category is not widespread precisely because of the acid.
- Average
It is also called Viennese (225 - 230 ℃). This is the most common roast level. It is most often used to prepare espresso blends. Gives the optimal combination of richness of taste, aroma and bitterness. You should start getting acquainted with the world of coffee with recipes like these.
- Dark
Differently - French (240 ℃), Italian (245 ℃) and Spanish (250 ℃). There is no sourness in the drink, only bitterness with caramel notes is felt. It is very important that the coffee is freshly roasted. This can be determined by its appearance: good grain will be oily and shiny.
By production date
Do you know that the lifespan of coffee begins from the moment it is roasted? That is why green grains are delivered from plantations to production sites, which are processed immediately before being sold to the end consumer.
Among true connoisseurs and connoisseurs, there is an opinion that freshly roasted coffee should be consumed within two weeks. After this period, he already loses his individuality and it is impossible to catch something “special” in him. But modern technologies come to the rescue: dark foil packaging, vacuum. All this significantly extends the storage period.
On average, the following periods can be distinguished:
- 2 – 3 weeks – grab this product and run quickly to enjoy a high-quality drink;
- 3 – 4 weeks – good coffee that has retained most of its properties;
- 4 – 8 weeks is a good option, from which you can still get an idea of the flavor nuances of the variety;
- up to 5 months – some nuances are still present, but the bulk of the invaluable character has already been lost;
- up to 1 year – a completely “edible” product, devoid of any individuality;
- more than 1 year - there is no point in buying expensive coffee with such a period, it is no different from cheap brands.
By grinding degree
What grinding primarily affects is the strength of the drink. This indicator also determines in which devices a particular coffee powder can be used.
- For French press and dark roast beans, a coarse grind is suitable.
- Household machines usually provide medium and fine grinding - ideal for making espresso.
- The finest powder is boiled in a Turkish pot.
The rule applies: the finer the grind, the richer, stronger and more bitter the coffee will be, and its consumption will also decrease.
The grinding value you should choose is indicated in the equipment instructions. These instructions should not be neglected, since improper grinding can not only ruin the drink, but also damage the machine. For example, too fine can clog the parts of the brewing mechanism and the finished liquid will be difficult to pour out at the outlet.
Which ground coffee should I choose for Turkish coffee?
There is only one secret that determines the magical taste of Turkish coffee, its name is grinding. The smaller the particles, the higher the extraction of substances. Therefore, when you think about which ground coffee to choose for Turkish coffee, pay attention to the grind size. The grains, ground into dust, fully impart their taste and aroma to the drink. Ultra-fine grinding is ideal for creating a coffee masterpiece. Unfortunately, in Russia it is difficult to find ready-made ground coffee suitable for Turkish coffee, so buy your favorite bean coffee and ask the store to grind it as finely as possible.
Coffee producers
Everyone knows very well that there is no dispute about tastes. And what one person adore may disgust another. To find your ideal coffee option, you need to search and try. Moreover, there are so many alternatives offered that you can try something new every day.
Some manufacturers produce both grain and ground . These are the brands:
- Lavazza,
- Amado
- Cubita,
- Santo Domingo,
- Guantanamera,
- Illy,
- Musetti,
- Serrano,
- Danesi,
- Molinari.
Capsules should be selected based on the type of unit you have. Common capsule manufacturers are:
- Nescafe Dolce Gusto,
- Nespresso,
- Pellini,
- Tassimo,
- Molinari,
- Julius Meinl.
Coffee pods are less common than the previous ones, and therefore fewer companies produce them. Among the most famous:
- Danesi,
- Julius Meinl,
- Malongo.
These brands enjoy the well-deserved love of customers and have high ratings on coffee sales sites.
How to choose ground coffee for a coffee maker?
It is recommended to use finely ground coffee in a carob coffee maker. Only in this case will you be able to compress a dense tablet so that when brewing, the grain will fully impart its taste and aroma to the drink. If you use a medium grind, the water will quickly seep through the coffee and it will turn out watery, and you will not recognize the true taste of the mixture you purchased. For drip and geyser coffee makers, medium and coarse grind coffee is best. This way, when brewing, particles of ground coffee will not leak through the filters and you will get a clean, well-brewed drink. The next time you have a question about which ground coffee to choose for your coffee maker, pay attention to the type of coffee maker you have and select mixtures of suitable grinding.
