If you’re a coffee lover who isn’t willing to compromise on the aroma or flavor of your brew, then coffee mills are definitely for you. A gadget that makes it possible for you to grind your own coffee beans for fresh use, a coffee mill is a must for the traditional lover of the drink who’s rather not settle for the instant, less authentic versions. So, if you’re one of those scanning the market for a coffee mill, this article identifies what you should look for in your purchase.
Coffee mills or grinders are of two kinds: manual and electric. Let’s first explore the old-fashioned, manual version. Resembling a gramophone, the manual coffee mill with its wooden base platform and metal top has an old world charm that makes you almost want to use it as a decorative piece for your kitchen. Equipped with a handle that must be rotated manually to grind the beans, this mill may not be ideal for you if you like your coffee ready in two minutes. Owing to the absence of any heat generation in manual mills, traditionalists consider these more respectful of the coffee beans they grind – leaving much of their intrinsic flavor and aroma alive.
Electric mills, like all things modern, come with a variety of options which, depending on how much of a technology junkie you are, may be an advantage or disadvantage. These are usually either of plastic or metal construction and rotate the grinding blades with the help of a motor. The electric mill has features that allow you to choose the intensity of your grind: fine, medium or coarse. While the electric mill is also way quicker than the manual one, it has its own disadvantages. Some believe that overheating from continuous grinding on electric mills dissipates the delicate flavor contained within the beans, and eventually alters the taste of your coffee.
Since manual coffee mills are not so easily available anymore, electric ones become the obvious choice. However, be careful in picking up one that has a manageable number of options, is easy to use and does not overheat. Some coffee mills are specially equipped with a slow rotation feature for cooler grinding. This might do away with some of your concern about losing flavor from heat.
It would also be useful to test the coarseness of the grind on a particular mill before investing in it. Further, it would be recommended that you test the grind on your coffee maker at home to ensure the coarseness is acceptable to the machine that brews your drink.
If you are a stay-at-home mom or someone who works from home and can afford to spend a few extra minutes and some of your energy churning a coffee mill, then the manual mill with its rustic charm may not be a bad idea. On the other hand, the more easily available electric mills may be a better bet even if it means having an extra gadget in the kitchen alongside your mixer-grinder and coffee maker. The trick is to keep in mind what you want from your coffee mill, its ease of use, maintenance and of course a price tag that doesn’t make you feel guilty when you sip on that freshly brewed coffee!