The Coffee Bros is reader-supported. Affiliate links on our site may earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you.
So, can I grind coffee beans the night before? Many people often believe that they can save loads of time doing this. By doing so, they can get up, make the coffee and leave for work without having to spend time grinding them.
Can I Grind Coffee Beans the Night Before? The Answer
We are often asked this question concerning coffee beans. The answer? In short, no. If you grind the coffee beans the day before they will lose most of their taste and aroma. This is mainly because the oxidation increases due to the larger surface area of the crushed beans. We would always recommend that you grind your beans just before brewing for a great-tasting coffee.
If you have to grind your coffee beans the night before, you should store them in a place that is cool, dark, and dry for optimal taste.
Can I Save Time Some Other Way?
Unfortunately, grinding the coffee before brewing it takes up a lot of time that could be spent more wisely. However, if you want the best tasting cup of coffee every time, you should always bite the bullet and grind just before brewing.
But do you want the very best tasting cup of coffee every time? If not, it’s a good idea to get grinding the night before so that it’s ready in the morning.
Making coffee is a laborious process, but the results, when done right, are magnificent. So, take your time if you want to create perfection in every cup.
What Exactly Makes The Coffee Lose Its Taste?
I bet you are wondering what the difference one night makes between a tasteful coffee cup and a tasteless one.
Here’s why:
When you grind your coffee beans overnight and leave them out in the open, oxygen will seep into the coffee and make it stale. If ground coffee beans are left out for too long it can cause food poisoning, as stale coffee becomes toxic if left out in the open for way too long.
By reducing the amount of time that it is left in the open and attacked by oxygen, you can reduce the amount of time it will take to go stale.
How Does the Grind Density Affect the Taste of Coffee?
Many people don’t realize this, but the grinding density affects the taste of the coffee in many different ways. Take a look at your grinder. If it is inexpensive, it will probably not grind your coffee beans as evenly as one that is more expensive.
An uneven grind of coffee then heats the grounds differently, causing the taste to not be as delicious as it would be if it was ground evenly. The difference between the two is reasonably minimal, but it makes all the difference when it comes to a delicious coffee.
How Long Do Coffee Beans Last Before Becoming Stale?
For best results, we always recommend that you brew the coffee straight after you’ve ground it. They can last up to 2 hours when ground down before starting to become stale. No matter how well you store it in a cool dry place, it will still go stale after this time.
In comparison, the coffee beans can last for up to 8 months before starting to go stale. So if you’ve left some coffee beans in your cupboards for longer than this time, it won’t taste good if you decide to make a coffee with them.
Why Do People Buy Pre-Ground Coffee Then?
Now, although many supermarkets sell pre-ground coffee beans, it doesn’t mean that it will provide the best taste. If you ask any coffee enthusiast, they will most likely say that pre-ground coffee is not the best way to make a delicious cup of joe when compared to grinding coffee beans just before brewing.
What to Do If Your Coffee Grinder Makes Too Much Noise
If you get up super early in the morning, you may find that your coffee grinder makes too much noise, waking up the other people in your house. If this is the case, you could swap your automatic grinder for a manual one. Manual grinders are a much quieter option in comparison.
What are the Different Types of Grinders Out There?
There are two different types of grinders for you to choose from to make the best coffee.
The first is blade grinders. These grinders are generally quite cheap and are perfect for any beginners in coffee making. With this type of grinder, a propeller system attacks the beans, grinding them down. The only issue with this type is that due to the propeller, the cut won’t be the same for every bean, making the grind slightly uneven.
Blade grinders are almost always found in automatic grinders, with some exceptions.
The second type is burr grinders. With these, separated plates move together, grinding the bean. This provides a much more even grind, perfect for making the most fabulous coffee for your mornings. The majority of cafes use burr grinders due to these advantages.
Burr grinders are known for being used in manual grinders, which gives them the reputation of being the superior way to grind coffee. However, some automatic grinders have this type too.
Grind Your Coffee Just How You Want It
For most people, the difference between coffee ground a few minutes before and coffee ground the day before is minimal. However, for those coffee connoisseurs, it is quite noticeable. So, if you want the best cup of coffee every day, you know what you need to do to make those tastes and flavors come out of the coffee beans. But if you’re in a rush, grinding the beans the night before might not be such a bad idea.
Join Us Today
Want to learn more about coffee and make truly great cups of joe? Subscribe today to receive monthly updates on our latest posts to stay informed about all the goings-on in the coffee world.