Having coffee beans without a grinder shouldn’t mean giving up on the morning coffee fix. With a little help from household objects and some creative thinking, it is also possible to prepare a decent cup of coffee. In this post, we will tell you how to grind coffee using several easy methods.
Method 1: The Blender or Food Processor
The most common appliance found in kitchens is the blender, and it serves as the most efficient substitute for a dedicated coffee grinder.
Do not simply turn the blender to "high" and walk away. This will result in burnt dust at the bottom and whole beans at the top. Instead, use the "pulse" setting. Press the button for one to two seconds, then stop. Shake the blender jar to redistribute the beans. Repeat this process until you achieve a coarse, consistent texture.
It is important not to overload the blender. Grinding too many beans at once prevents the blades from reaching the beans in the center. Stick to small batches, roughly enough for one or two cups at a time. This ensures that the blades can circulate the beans effectively, resulting in a more even grind.
Method 2: The Mortar and Pestle
For centuries, pharmacists and chefs have used the mortar and pestle to grind herbs and spices; it works exceptionally well for coffee beans, too.
This method offers the most control over the grind size. Unlike electric blades, you can see exactly when the beans have reached the desired coarseness. It creates less dust than a blender, which helps in brewing a cleaner cup of coffee.
Start by filling the mortar only about one-quarter full. Use the pestle to press down firmly on the beans to crack them open. Once they are fractured, use a circular grinding motion to break them down further. Avoid hammering the beans, as this can cause pieces to fly out of the bowl.
Method 3: The Rolling Pin
If you enjoy baking, you likely have a rolling pin in a drawer; combined with a sturdy plastic bag, it becomes a powerful crushing tool.
Preparation
You will need a heavy-duty freezer bag for this method. Thin sandwich bags will likely tear under the pressure of the sharp coffee shards. Place your beans inside the bag and squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing it. This prevents the bag from popping like a balloon when you apply pressure.
The Crushing Process
Lay the bag flat on a cutting board or a sturdy counter. Instead of rolling immediately, start by pressing the rolling pin down onto the beans to crack them. Work your way across the bag. Once the beans are broken, roll the pin back and forth over the bag to refine the texture.
Method 4: A Hammer or Mallet
For those who prefer a more impact-based approach, a kitchen mallet (meat tenderizer) or a standard hammer can get the job done quickly.
Protecting Your Surfaces
This method requires caution to avoid damaging your countertops. Place the bag of beans on a wooden cutting board, and consider placing a kitchen towel underneath the board to absorb the shock. Ensure the beans are spread out in a single layer inside the bag rather than clumped together.
Controlled Strikes
Do not swing the hammer wildly. Use short, controlled taps to fracture the beans. If using a meat tenderizer, use the flat side rather than the textured side to avoid puncturing the plastic bag. Check the progress frequently to ensure you aren't pulverizing the coffee into dust.
Method 5: A Large Knife
In the absence of other tools, a wide chef's knife can be used to crush beans, though this method requires extreme caution and steady hands.
Do not use the sharp edge of the blade. You will be using the flat side of the knife. Place a few beans on a cutting board—do not attempt to do too many at once, or they will scatter.
Lay the flat side of the knife over the beans. Place your palm flat on top of the blade (near the spine, away from the edge) and press down firmly to crack the beans. Once cracked, you can carefully rock the knife slightly to break the pieces down further. This is labor-intensive but effective for a single cup.
Dealing with Inconsistency
In fact, one of the largest problems with such hacks is the creation of an uneven terrain, often known by the term "boulders and fines."
In an ideal world, each coffee ground particle is equal. All particles will extract at the same rate. In the case of the emergency techniques, you will have chunky pieces (Boulders) and pulverized bits (Fines). The boulders brew too slowly (sour flavor), and the pulverized bits brew too quickly (bitter flavor).
To upgrade the flavor of your coffee, transfer the crushed coffee to a strainer designed to rest on top of a bowl. Shake it ever so gently. The result will be the separation of the "fines" (powdered, grated material) on top, which can then be discarded (including it into compost if you are so inclined), and the coarser, more manageable mixture left inside the strainer.
Adjusting Your Brewing Method
As the grind achieved by hand hacking is not very fine, it is important to adapt the brewing technique to the grind.
French Press
The French Press is the absolute best companion for emergency-ground coffee. It utilizes a metal mesh filter that handles coarse grounds perfectly. Because the chunks of coffee are larger than usual, they take longer to release their flavor.
Extended Steep Time
If you typically steep your French Press for four minutes, extend it to five or six minutes when using knife-crushed or rolling-pin coffee. The larger surface area of the coarse grounds requires more contact time with the water to fully extract the flavor.
Cold Brew
If you have the time, cold brew is what you should make. It can tolerate grind differences very well. You just have to soak your smashed coffee beans in a mixture of water and let them brew inside the fridge for 12 to 24 hours.
FAQs about Grind Beans Without a Grinder in Minutes
Can I use a spice grinder?
Yes, the basic bladed grinders found for spices are basically blenders. Nevertheless, spices contain potent oils. You must thoroughly clean it before and after using it to avoid having coffee resembling cumin and, if you plan on having the next curry, having the flavor of coffee.
Is it better to boil whole beans instead of grinding?
No. Brewing with the entire bean is very inefficient. The liquid is only able to contact the exterior, and what is produced is very weak, watery, and sour-tasting. Crushing them, even very poorly, is always superior to doing so with the entire bean.
How long do these grounds stay fresh?
Ground coffee is very prone to oxidation. "Emergency" grounds are no exception. In fact, it is best to grind what you are planning on using right away. If you grind too much, it is best to save it in an airtight container, but to use it within 24 hours.
