For proper extraction, grinding properly is essential. Freshly grinding coffee before brewing is one of the most important steps for achieving a quality cup of coffee. Coffee should not be ground more than 2 minutes before brewing or major staling (oxidation) begins to take place.

There are two main types of grinders available. Blade grinders sell for about $20, grind the bean unevenly, and are messy. Burr grinders, are about $60-$125, grind evenly, and are clean and easy. The extra money for the burr grinder is one of the best investments one can make for improving cup quality and one's sanity.

For any scientific analysis, a blade grinder is unacceptable due to its lack of reproducibility. Burrs should be replaced periodically (every 600-2000 lbs of coffee), but for typical home use it is only necessary to clean the burrs.

Each brewing method required a different grind size: Drip coffee requires a medium size grind, espresso requires a fine size grind, a French press requires the largest grind size, while the vacuum pot also requires the largest grind size. For cupping it is preferred to use a French press size.