Your Fun + Easy Guide to Coffee Grind Size
If your coffee tastes weird, sour, or way too strong, don’t panic! It’s probably just the grind. Too coarse or too fine and you get over- or under-extraction, and nobody wants that.
We want you to have the best cup ever every single morning, so here’s your no-stress, no science degree needed guide to choosing the right grind for your brew method.
Step 1: Start With Great Coffee
Whole bean is always the move. And lucky you — 3 Arrows Coffee Co. has some absolute bangers:
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Logos — Light Roast
Tasting notes: Citrus, melon, milk chocolate. -
Pathos — Dark Roast
Tasting notes: Chocolate, almond, vanilla, orange zest. -
Ethos — Espresso Blend
Tasting notes: Chocolate, caramel, peanut butter, blueberry. -
Mexican Decaf — Medium Roast
Tasting notes: Graham cracker, mild citrus, nutty finish. -
Single-Origin Coffees
Honduras, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica (rotating offerings) for a pure, unblended coffee experience.
For more details on our coffees, check out 3ArrowsCoffee.com.
So What’s the “Best” Grind?
Trick question. There’s no one “best” grind, only the best grind for how you’re brewing. Espresso, French press, cold brew, pour over; they all like things a little different, just like people.
Why Grind Size Actually Matters
Coffee brewing is all about extraction
How much flavor the water pulls out of the grounds.
- Finer grind = faster extraction (great for quick brew methods like espresso).
- Coarser grind = slower extraction (perfect for slow, chill methods like French press and cold brew).
Get the grind right and your coffee tastes balanced, smooth, and delicious. Get it wrong and things get funky fast.
The 5 Grinds You Actually Need to Know
1. Fine Grind
Best for: Espresso
Feels like: Flour — soft and clumpy when you pinch it.
Espresso is picky and needs a consistent grind. A burr grinder is your best friend here, and you’ll always get better flavor when you grind fresh right before brewing.
2. Medium-Fine Grind
Best for: Pour Over
Feels like: Sea salt.
This grind is super versatile and one of the most forgiving. It’s a go-to for pour overs and really lets our single-origin coffees shine.
3. Medium Grind
Best for: Drip Coffee Makers
Feels like: Sand.
This is the classic everyday grind most home and office machines use. Fresh, quality beans at a medium grind can turn your regular drip machine into your favorite coworker.
4. Coarse Grind
Best for: French Press
Feels like: Coarse peppercorn.
French press is all about balance. With a coarse grind:
- Too coarse → your coffee will be weak and watery.
- Too fine → it can get bitter and sludgy.
Small tweaks in grind size can make a big difference, so don’t be afraid to experiment.
5. Extra Coarse Grind
Best for: Cold Brew
Feels like: Chunky pieces of coffee bean.
Extra coarse grinds are perfect for long, slow cold brew steeping. You shouldn’t see fine “coffee dust” at the bottom, if you do, the grind was too fine and you’ll end up with coffee mud.
Experiment. Seriously.
Most grinders have anywhere from 20–40 settings. That means one bag of whole bean coffee can give you a ton