Ground coffee

About Ground Coffee

Regardless of your preferred brewing method, pre-ground coffee is always ready for you to enjoy. It’s no surprise that this type of coffee is actually the most popular choice amongst coffee drinkers: using quality pre-ground beans, you can brew yourself a delicious cuppa quickly and conveniently. 

When looking for the right option in a wide range of ground coffees on offer, it’d be good for you to know exactly what makes some ground coffee varieties better than others. To help the most valuable characteristics of your coffee get uncovered in your cup, you need to pick the right coffee variety, roast level, grind size, and brewing method. Whether you’re a seasoned connoisseur or a complete novice, reading about the key criteria that go into choosing the right ground coffee will definitely come in handy! 

Coffee Friend’s Ground Coffees

We’ve got numerous different ground coffees produced by us here at Coffee Friend. Originating from various corners of the globe, marked by a range of roast levels and grind sizes, designed for a number of brewing methods, decaffeinated or even organic… There’s bound to be something just right for your taste in there. 

Caprisette. Coffee Friend’s best-selling line of coffees boasts rich aromas and delicate notes of fruit and berries. Caprisette ground coffees are ideal for both sworn fans of black coffee drinks and those who prefer milk-based beverages. They’re suited great for French presses. 

CHiATO. We’ve got a whole line of flavoured ground coffees too, perfect for Aeropress coffee makers. Boasting rich flavours of crème brûlée, hazelnuts, amaretto liqueur, Irish cream, and caramel, CHiATO ground coffees are here to make your daily rituals sweeter and even more delicious. 

Coffee Friend’s ground offerings include premium-quality specialty and single-origin coffees too. Pre-ground coffees like these are marked by a variety of gorgeous tasting notes already, so there’s no need for extra ingredients like sugar or milk. They’re suited for numerous different brewing methods as well. 

Parallel. Set out on a breathtaking journey of flavours and aromas with a line of coffees dedicated to the main coffee-growing regions: Africa, Asia, and the Americas. The specialty ground coffees blends in the Parallel range pair perfectly with Chemex or cold brew coffee makers.

Black Crow White Pigeon. Discover an unmatched variety of tastes: from dark, deep, earthy notes to light, subtle aromas. The specialty ground coffees from Black Crow White Pigeon are suited well for Chemex and cold brew coffee makers too.

Ground Espresso Coffee: What Should You Pay Attention To? 

When exploring the world of brewing, you’ll encounter numerous different types of coffee, as well as dozens of brewing methods. One of them is the classic espresso technique. To obtain a truly delicious, rich brew of this kind, you’ll have to find the right ground coffee for it first though. Espresso is best brewed using coffee beans of a darker roast: they’ll endow your cuppa with the intensity and boldness that a proper espresso requires. It’s also a good idea to go for arabica and robusta blends, marked as they are by the right balance between subtlety and strength. Keep in mind that espresso machines demand a specific grind size too (that’s all due to how quick this brewing method is, and how high the pressure used during brewing). Beans that are ground too finely can result in exceedingly bitter drinks, while particularly coarse grinds end up producing weak, flavourless coffees. If you’re looking for ground espresso coffee, your best bet is choosing varieties ground specially for espresso machines. You’ll find coffees like this in our range of products, as well as in our own Caprisette coffee line. 

Ground Filter Coffee: How to Brew It and Which One to Go For? 

Owners of a filter coffee machine or a manual filter brewing tool know full well how simple and convenient the filter brewing process gets when you use pre-ground coffee for it. Despite its simplicity, you still need to keep a few things in mind when choosing the right ground filter coffee. To obtain flavourful brews, pick coffees of a medium to lighter roast. The grind size is important too: when it comes to filter coffee, your best bet is a medium to coarse grind. Beans that have been ground too finely may result in a drink that’s either too bitter or too acidic.

You can use numerous different tools to brew yourself some delicious, fragrant filter coffee, be it a Chemex, a French press, an Aeropress coffee maker, a coffee dripper, or a filter coffee machine. By the way, this brewing method is suited perfectly for premium-quality specialty varieties. Why’s that, you wonder? Well, that’s because filter tools are known for uncovering all the little nuances of flavour hidden in your coffee. Not everybody enjoys the bold, fruity taste of specialty coffees and their blends though: if you don’t, we suggest you grab yourself a coffee blend from the Parallel or Caprisette coffee ranges instead.

Ground Specialty Coffee: What Makes It Special and Why Is It a Great Choice?

If you’re looking for the short answer as to what specialty coffee is, we can certainly give you one: specialty coffee is, quite simply, the finest coffee in the world! To qualify as ‘specialty’, beans must be awarded at least 80 points out of the possible 100, with the scoring being done by certified coffee tasters from Specialty Coffee Association. Coffees like that aren’t generally mixed together: they’re unique and flavourful enough to stand on their own. While each specialty coffee is truly one of a kind, there are certain qualities that unite varieties grown in the same region:

African coffee. It boasts notes of fruit, berries and flowers. The combo of sweetness and acidity may remind you of fine wine or premium tea.

Asian coffee. Bitter, intense notes are at the forefront here: you may detect flavours of spices, chocolate, tobacco or wood. 

South American coffee. Balanced and naturally sweet, this type of coffee is usually marked by notes of chocolate, nuts and fruit. It’s less acidic than African coffee, and subtler than Asian varieties. 

Central American coffee. This coffee boasts a bold profile and may contain a variety of flavours: from tropical fruit to nuts. 

Most specialty coffees are also single-origin. This means that they originate from the same region, or even the same estate. Those looking for the middle ground between regular coffee blends and specialty coffees will be delighted to discover Parallel, our range of specialty coffee blends. It can serve as an excellent introduction to the world of premium-quality coffee varieties!

Ground Coffee for a Specific Brewing Method

When looking for the right pre-ground coffee for you, make sure to consider the brewing method you plan on using. Each ground coffee boasts unique aromas and flavours, and different brewing methods unveil them in different manners. Here’s the criteria you should keep in mind depending on the appliance or manual tool you have at home:

Ground coffee for bean-to-cup coffee machines

When choosing coffee for bean-to-cup machines, pick pre-ground varieties of a medium to darker roast. Don’t forget to consider the grind size too: if you go for coffee that’s been ground too finely, it may end up clogging your appliance, while too coarse of a grind may result in a watery, flavourless drink. Your best bet is picking a variety ground specially for the espresso brewing method.

Ground coffee for espresso machines

As their name suggests, these appliances are best paired with coffee ground specially for the espresso technique. When searching for the right coffee for an espresso machine, look for the word ‘espresso’ on the packaging or in the online description. If you find one on the variety you’re eyeing, you can rest assured knowing it’s been ground and roasted just right.

Ground coffee for filter coffee machines

Owners of a filter coffee machine should pick pre-ground coffee of a medium to lighter roast. It’ll help you obtain subtle, well-balanced flavours—unlike dark roasts, which may result in a piquant, bitter drink. Coffee for filter coffee machines should be of a medium to coarser grind. Beans that have been ground too finely often produce brews that are overly acidic. 

Ground coffee for moka pots

Those who own a moka pot can enjoy the ultimate freedom: anything from light to dark roasts is an option. If you prefer subtler, lighter flavours, go for ground coffee of a medium to light roast. Fans of intense and bitter brews will enjoy dark-roasted coffees. As far as grind size is concerned, your best bet when it comes to coffee for moka pots is a medium to coarser grind: it’ll help you craft a rich, creamy drink, which is what moka pot coffee is all about. To cut your search short, just go for Bialetti ground coffee, which has been designed specially for this brewing tool.

Ground coffee for percolators

When it comes to ground coffee for percolators, medium-roasted coffee is definitely best. It’ll help you produce a harmonious drink—one that’s neither too bitter nor too watery. For those looking for the ideal balance, a medium grind will work perfectly as well. We suggest you give the ground coffees from Caprisette a try: their rich flavours and enchanting aromas make them suited great for percolators.  

Ground coffee for French presses

This type of coffee maker can be paired with a wide range of ground coffees, so what you need to do is just stick to what your personal taste tells you. If your coffee for a French press boasts a darker roast, the resulting brew will be pleasantly bitter and more full-bodied. Fans of subtler, sweeter flavours would do well to choose medium or light roasts instead. As far as grind size is concerned, the rule is pretty simple: the finer the grind, the bolder the flavour. If you prefer your drinks more delicate, go for a coffee of a coarser grind. Those seeking to obtain the ideal balance between boldness and subtlety should definitely eye medium-ground coffees. 

Ground coffee for Chemex coffee makers

Owners of a Chemex should choose ground coffee of a medium to light roast: it’ll help unveil the sweeter, subtler notes hidden in the coffee, which is what most fans of Chemex brews are after. Ground coffee for a Chemex coffee maker should be marked by a medium grind, by the way. If you’re looking for the ideal option, you should browse through our range of specialty ground coffees. 

Ground coffee for coffee drippers

Those who use a pour-over coffee maker or a coffee dripper (such as Hario V60, the Chemex coffee maker discussed above, etc.) should choose medium-ground coffee of a medium to light roast. Ground coffee for pour-over coffee makers and coffee drippers will introduce you to the subtlest, cleanest filter coffee flavours. If you decide to give pre-ground coffee of a darker roast a try, keep in mind that the resulting brew may come out pretty bitter. The same applies to finer grind sizes. 

Ground coffee for Aeropress coffee makers

When it comes to this brewing method, fans of particularly subtle flavours should pick ground coffee of a medium roast. Those searching for something more fruity and acidic would do well to prioritise light-roasted ground coffee, while dark-roasted Aeropress coffee is bound to please lovers of pleasant bitterness. The grind size you end up going for is all down to your personal taste too. Aeropress coffee of a finer grind will produce a stronger brew, while coarser grind sizes will result in delicate flavours.

Ground coffee for cold brew coffee makers

Delicious coffee doesn’t have to be hot at all—this is something that fans of cold brews are well aware of. Keep in mind though that to obtain the most vivid flavours and avoid excessive bitterness, you should choose ground coffee for cold brew coffee makers that’s marked by a medium to coarser grind. Those who prefer their cold brews sweeter would do well to pick a medium roast. If you’re a fan of well-balanced acidity, go for coffee of a light roast instead, or grab yourself a dark-roasted variety if you like your coffee particularly strong. 

100% Arabica vs. Arabica and Robusta Blends: What’s the Difference?

Every ground coffee starts from whole coffee beans, and these usually belong to one of the two main types of coffee: arabica or robusta. 100% arabica tends to be delicate, subtle, and naturally sweet. Robusta, on the other hand, is marked by intensity, bitterness, and a higher caffeine content. Because of how bold it is, 100% robusta is rarely encountered on the market—however, there are plenty of arabica and robusta blends on offer, as this duo helps craft a particularly well-balanced cuppa. In addition to coffee type, there are a couple more criteria you should keep in mind when looking for the right pre-ground variety for you:

Roast level. The roast level of your coffee may be light, medium light, medium, medium dark, or dark. The lighter the roast of your ground coffee, the fruitier and more acidic the flavour. Light-roasted coffees are suited best for filter or pour-over brewing tools. When it comes to dark-roasted varieties, they’re usually marked by pleasantly bitter notes of chocolate or liqueur. 

Grind size. Your ground coffee can boast a very fine grind, a fine grind, a medium grind, a coarser grind, or a particularly coarse grind. Different grind sizes are meant to be paired with different brewing methods. For example, filter brewing tools require medium to coarse grind sizes (a fine grind can result in a brew that’s either too bitter or too acidic). For in-cup brewing, finer grinds are best though. 

Decaf Ground Coffee

If you can’t consume caffeine for whatever reason, or if you’re simply looking for a way to enjoy a cuppa late in the afternoon, ground decaf coffee is the ideal option. Coffee Friend’s range of products includes a variety of ground coffees that have been decaffeinated using natural methods.

With fans of decaf brews in mind, we’ve added a decaf variety to our Caprisette line of coffees: it’s called “Lullaby Decaf”. This fragrant, delicate offering boasts delicious notes of cashews, mixed with subtle hints of cacao and wood. If you like organic coffees, give the unique pre-ground variety from Charles Liégeois a try. Owners of a moka pot are guaranteed to love “Perfetto Moka Decaf” from Bialetti: created specially for moka pots, it’s marked by a subtle flavour, a pleasant aroma, and just the right intensity.

Ground Coffee Sets: For Yourself or as a Gift

More and more people are nowadays looking for practical, delicious gifts, which is why ground coffee is a frequent choice when visiting friends or loved ones. While coffee beans may be a risky option (what if the person you gift them to doesn’t have a coffee grinder at home?..), a tasty pre-ground variety is something you just can’t go wrong with. If you’re searching for the perfect gift, take a look at our ground coffee sets: we have ones made up of the same type of coffee, as well sets that include several different varieties, so even the pickiest connoisseurs are guaranteed to be impressed.

Need Advice?

Struggling to make the right choice? You may want to browse through other types of coffee in our range too. You can always reach out to Coffee Friend’s consultants for some extra help, by the way: just message or call us, and we’ll answer all of your questions.