How to make coffee

Grind size has a big impact on the quality of your cup. The right grind depends on how you brew your coffee. Rule of thumb: the longer the extraction, the coarser the grind.

A shot of espresso takes about 30 seconds to brew, so it's ground super fine—almost powdery. At the other end of the spectrum, cold brewed coffee extracts for 12+ hours, so it's ground very coarse.

We recommend grinding your coffee just before brewing for best results. (A burr grinder is ideal because it gives you a nice, consistent grind. If you only have a blade grinder, don't despair—giving it a good shake while grinding can even things out.)

But how can you tell if the grind size is correct? Trust your taste buds. If your coffee is too bitter, it's over-extracted: try a slightly coarser grind. If it's sour, it's under-extracted: try a slightly finer grind. Make small adjustments to your grind size until the brew is sweet and smooth.

We offer three grind options at checkout for those who don't own a grinder:

• French Press: Coarse grind suitable for French Press, percolator, or cold brew.

• Flat-Bottom Filter: Medium grind suitable for an automatic coffee maker with a wide, flat-bottom filter, AeroPress, or Kalita Wave.

• Cone Filter: Medium-fine grind suitable for automatic drip machines or pour-over brewers with narrow, cone-shaped filters.