There’s nothing as good as waking up to the smell of a freshly brewed bean-to-coffee cup. The freshly ground coffee beans allow you to enjoy the rich crema while still retaining the authentic flavor notes and aroma. Nonetheless, the question remains, “is it cheaper to grind your own coffee beans?”
Well, we may just have the answer to this nagging question many coffee lovers experience. Here’s a guide to help you decide whether or not you should invest in whole coffee beans to grind at home or pre-ground coffee.
Is It Cheaper To Grind Coffee Beans At Home?
Grinding whole coffee beans at home isn’t as cheap as you may think. This is because you have to consider the factors involved. First, whole coffee beans tend to cost more than ground coffee beans of the same grade, standard, and quality.
For example, you will pay $15 for whole beans and $8-10 for ground coffee of the same quality. Next, you have to think of the tools. To make coffee from whole beans, you need a grinder and a brewing machine. So, you also have to think of the initial cost to invest in a good quality grinder.
However, freshly grinding your own coffee beans at home every morning comes with its perks, which supersede the costs.
Here’s how…
Grinding Vs. Pre-Ground Coffee
Freshness
Compared to ground coffee, whole coffee beans give you a fresh cup of coffee. You will taste all the flavor notes of the bean, the acidity, and even, smell the fresh aroma.
Typically, during the grinding process, the bean has its protective outer layer removed.
In the case of pre-ground coffee, the removal of the protective layer means it quickly loses some of its flavor notes and aroma. So, by the time it sits on the grocery store shelf, it would’ve lost its freshness compared to the whole coffee beans at home. A fresh bag of ground coffee delivered to the store in a few days is fine.
But, you will find that most ground coffee bags have been sitting on the shelf for months even. On the other hand, with the outer layer intact until you grind the beans, whole coffee beans guarantee a fresh cup of coffee daily.
100% Pure High-Grade Coffee
Using whole beans you can grind at home at any time guarantees you get what you pay for. With whole coffee beans, you can very easily visually assess the coffee grade and make sure you use good quality coffee. But, it’s impossible to do so with store-bought ground coffee.
In its ground consistency, it’s impossible to tell if the manufacturer has added 100% pure coffee. It’s easy to mix high-grade coffee with other low-quality coffee in a pack of pre-ground coffee.
Other manufacturers even add extra chemicals to preserve the coffee for longer. After all, even according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), ground coffee can CONTAIN at least 1/10th of non-coffee substances, even bug-infested or damaged coffee.
Whole Beans Vs. Pre-Ground Coffee: Why The Cost Difference
Whole coffee beans cost more than pre-ground coffee because overall whole coffee beans are better quality. Pre-ground coffee loses its freshness, flavor, and aroma even when it’s still on the grocery store shelf. So, by the time you brew it at home, you will not really get the full and fresh body and components of the coffee.
On the other hand, whole bean coffee doesn’t only guarantee freshness with full flavors, acidity, and aroma. Whole bean coffee guarantees 100% coffee that you invest in. Unlike pre-ground coffee, it’s impossible to add any chemicals or non-coffee components to the package.
In fact, whole bean coffee usually contains the best high-grade and high quality beans as it is difficult for the manufacturer to conceal any defects. Because manufacturers thrive to retain freshness and quality, whole bean coffee bags are always prioritized when it comes to shipping and distribution to retail suppliers.
Typically, whole coffee beans retain peak freshness for around two to three weeks. So, getting the beans out to the suppliers quickly also increases their costs.
Author
Donna is a coffee lover and freelance writer from Tanzania. Coffee runs deep in her family, tracing its roots to her grandmother’s running of their first coffee farm in the mid-70s. During the summer seasons, she enjoys writing and co-running her grandmother's small robusta coffee farm with her sister in northwest Tanzania.