If you like to make and drink your own coffee, you probably have faced this dilemma before: Should I buy whole coffee beans or pre – ground coffee? Well today, we are going to help you decide which option to pick.
Key Differences Between Whole Beans and Ground Coffee
Time
One of the main differences between making coffee using whole beans and ground coffee is the time and effort required to do so.
Pre – ground coffee is pretty easy and quick to make. You can simply brew the coffee ground with hot water or use a coffee / espresso machine which can make coffee in just a few minutes. This is why pre – ground coffee is usually the option for those who do not have a lot of time to prepare their cup of joe.
Conversely, making coffee using whole beans is a much more time – consuming venture. You will have to first grind your coffee bean into the desired texture before you can brew it. Sure, freshly ground coffee sounds much better, but is it really worth the time to make it?
Drinking Volume And Frequency
Another key factor you will need to consider is how frequently you drink coffee as well as how much coffee you drink per serving.
If you drink coffee very often and don’t store too much coffee at any one time, then pre – ground coffee will suit you just well since you will use them up quickly before any decline is noticeable. On the other hand, if you don’t drink coffee super often or you like to store large amounts at once, then buying whole beans is highly recommended since their quality lasts longer.
Freshness And Quality
A huge difference that separates ground and whole bean coffee is the freshness and quality of coffee produced. Whole coffee beans can stay fresh for a maximum of 4 weeks after roasting. This means that you can keep them for up to a month before their aroma and flavour decline.
On the other hand, pre – ground coffee will usually decline in quality and freshness much quicker. This fall off will usually start to be visible around one week after it was ground. This rapid decline is because ground coffee has a larger surface area compared to whole beans. A larger area would mean more contact with oxygen, and thus faster degradation in quality.
Brewing Technique Flexibility
The last thing that separates the 2 types of coffee is the flexibility. Different brewing methods will require different grind sizes. How coarse or fine your ground coffee is can determine the taste, texture, and overall quality of your java. This unfortunately means that buying coffee that was pre – ground to a certain grind size would limit it to a specific brewing method.
If you are someone who only uses one type of brewing method, this would pose no problem. However, if you prefer switching between different brewing techniques, then buying whole coffee beans would be better. By grinding your own coffee using a grinder, you can adapt and set the texture to suit whatever you require.
Should You Buy Ground Or Whole Bean Coffee?
People who have little time to make coffee should always go for pre – ground coffee. They need to make sure that they don’t store too much at any one time and always stick to one coffee brewing method.
On the flip side, people who love fresh coffee and have the freedom of day to make them should stock up on whole coffee beans. Those who like to switch between brewing methods are also better off opting for this type of coffee. However, make sure you have a good quality grinder on hand to swiftly ground your beans.
To summarise, here are the different upsides and downsides of whole bean and ground coffee:
| Whole Coffee Bean | Pre – Ground Coffee |
| Takes longer to prepareCan stay fresh for up to a monthSuitable for those who have a lot of timeSuitable for those who don’t drink coffee often and like to stock upCan be used for multiple brewing methods | Quick and easy preparation processOnly lasts a weekSuitable for those who need to make coffee quicklySuitable for those who drink coffee oftenCan only be used for specific brewing techniques |
