Grinding, Dosing and Tamping

Question 1

• What is grinding?

Answer 1

• Grinding coffee beans is a crucial step in the coffee-making process that signficantly impacts the flavour and quality of the final cup.
• As a barista, mastering the art of grinding is essential for achieving consistent and exceptional coffee results.
• Proper grinding ensures that the coffee grounds are of the right size and consistency to extract the desired flavours during brewing.
• Mastering the grinding procedure is an essential skill for every barista.
• By following these steps, you can ensure that your coffee grounds are consistently sized, allowing for optimal extraction and a remarkable coffee experience.
• Remember, practice and experimentation will help you find the perfect grind size for different brewing methods, enabling you to create delightful and flavourful cups of coffee for your customers.

Question 2

• What is the grinding procedure?

Answer 2

1. Select the right grinder: Begin by ensuring that you have a high-quality burr grinder. Burr grinders are preferred over blade grinders for their ability to provide a more consistent grind size. Adjusting the grind settings on a burr grinder allows you to control the particle size, optimising it for different brewing methods.
2. Calibrate and clean the clean grinder: Before starting, ensure that your grinder is calibrated correctly. Consult the manufacturer’s instructions for the specific grinder model you are using. Regularly cleaning the grinder is essential to maintain its performance and prevent any residual coffee flavours from affecting the taste. Wipe away any leftover grounds and oils, and follow the manufacturer’s cleaning guidelines.
3. Measure the coffee beans: Determine the desired amount of coffee you wish to grind. It’s advisable to measure the beans according to the coffee-to-water ratio recommended for your brewing method. Use a scale for accuracy, as measuring by weight is more consistent than volume.
4. Adjust grind size: Based on your brewing method, adjust the grind size on the grinder. Different brewing methods require different grind sizes to optomise extraction. Coarser grinds are generally used for methods like the French press, while finer grinds are suitable for espresso. Refer to a grind size reference chart or equipment to find the ideal setting for your specific brewing method.
5. Pre-grind dispensing: If your grinder has a dosing feature, set it to dispense the desired amount of coffee grounds into your portafilter, coffee filter, or container. Ensure that the dispensed grounds are evenly distributed and not clumped together. If your grinder does not have a dosing feature, dispense the grounds manually and distribute them evenly.
6. Grind the coffee: Activate the grinder and allow it to grind the beans until the desired amount of coffee grounds is produced. Avoid grinding in large batches and only grind what you need for immediate use. Freshly ground coffee provides superior flavour.
7. Inspect the grind: Examine the consistency of the coffee grounds. Ideally, the grind size should be uniform, without excessively large or fine particles. Adjust the grinder settings if necessary, and discard any irregular or overly coarse/fine grounds to maintain consistency.
8. Store remaining coffee beans: If there are any unused coffee beans, store them in an airtight container away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Proper storage helps preserve the beans’ freshness and flavour until the next grinding session.

Question 3

• What is dosing?

Answer 3

• Accurate dosing is a crtical aspect of the coffee-making process that contributes to the consistency and quality of the final cup.
• As a barista, mastering the art of dosing ensures that you consistently achieve the desired strength and flavour balance in each serving of coffee.
• Mastering the dosing procedure is vital for achieving consistent and flavourful coffee.
• By following these steps, you can accurately measure and dispense the right amount of coffee, ensuring the optimal extraction and a delightful coffee experience.
• Remember to keep your equipment clean, use precise measurements, and practice your tamping technique to produce exceptional cups of coffee for your customers.

Question 4

• What is the dosing procedure?

Answer 4

1. Before you remove the portafilter from the machine’s grouphead, make sure the grinder is turned on.
2. Wipe off all of the coffee grounds from the filter basket with a fresh, dry tea towel.
3. Turn off the grinder.
4. The grinder’s dosing arm should be pulled out, then you should pause for a moment before slowly repositioning it.
5. Gently tap the portafilter off its rest when the basket is halfway full of ground coffee to help the coffee grounds settle.
6. Return and totally load your basket with ground coffee for a fuller effect, even slightly “overdose” it.