How to choose ground coffee? 9 tips from an expert

Ground coffee, and the rating of the best is given in this article, is coffee powder that is obtained by grinding coffee beans manually (mortar), mechanically (coffee grinder) or industrially (roller mill). This coffee turns out to be quite aromatic and rich, although it is inferior in quality to a drink made from freshly roasted beans. Ground coffee, unlike instant coffee powder, contains a large amount of antioxidants and essential oils, which give it its characteristic astringency, taste and aroma. It is this kind of coffee that has a truly invigorating effect, helps you wake up in the morning and recharge your batteries for the whole day, so you should be especially careful when choosing ground coffee. To make it easier for you to decide and choose a truly high-quality product, we have prepared a rating of the best manufacturers of ground coffee, and also collected advice from professionals on what you should pay attention to when purchasing, so as not to make a mistake with your choice.

A good cup of coffee in the morning is the key to a great day

TOP 6 fine and very fine grind coffee

Photo	Name	Rating	Price
#1		Dallmayr Esspresso Monaco	⭐ 95 / 100 3 - votes	More details
#2	Read also: Robusta - what kind of coffee is it, the difference from Arabica, features of taste and aroma	Blues Decaf (decaf)	⭐ 93 / 100 1 - voice	More details
#3		Lebo Extra	⭐ 91 / 100 2 - votes	More details
#4		Paulig Mokka	⭐ 89 / 100 4 - votes	More details
#5		Paulig Classic	⭐ 89 / 100 3 - votes	More details
#6		Peter the Great “Imperial grind” for brewing in a cup	⭐ 88 / 100 2 - votes	More details

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This type of coffee is the most popular in the coffee market, as it has undeniable advantages. It prepares quickly (some manufacturers produce coffee that can be brewed directly in a cup), has a mild taste and a delicate, but quite rich aroma. Fine and very finely ground coffee also perfectly reveals the taste of various desserts and other products that lovers often add to the finished drink.

No. 6 – Peter the Great “Imperial grind” for brewing in a cup

Peter the Great “Imperial Grind” for brewing in a cup
This is a very popular brand of natural ground coffee, which does not require a Turk for preparation. It can be brewed directly in a cup, like any instant coffee, while the taste of the drink remains very bright and rich. This is a medium-roasted Arabica drink with the classic taste of black coffee. This type of coffee is convenient for people with a lack of free time, since it is extremely simple to prepare, and the brewing time is no more than 2 minutes.

Characteristics of Peter the Great coffee “Imperial grind” for brewing in a cup:

variety - Arabica;
grinding – very fine;
degree of roasting – medium;
average cost – 217 rubles per pack of 204 g.

Advantages:

pros

can be brewed directly in a cup like instant coffee;
100% Arabica;
The beans are roasted using hot air technology, which allows you to preserve all the properties of coffee, its taste and aroma.

Minuses

not identified.

Prices for Peter the Great coffee “Imperial grind” for brewing in a cup

Coffee Peter the Great “Imperial grind” for brewing in a cup

No. 5 – Paulig Classic

Paulig Classic
A delicious combination coffee that contains Arabica and Robusta beans, which gives it a refined bitterness, rich taste and a rich, long-lasting aftertaste. The fine degree of grinding allows this coffee to be used for preparation in a Turk or a geyser-type coffee machine. According to buyers, this is one of the best manufacturers with an optimal price-quality ratio.

Characteristics of Paulig Classic coffee:

variety – Arabica/Robusta;
grinding – very fine;
degree of roasting – medium;
average cost – 192 rubles per pack of 200 g.

pros

suitable for cooking in a Turk and geyser-type coffee maker;
has an affordable price;
The structure of the coffee is homogeneous, without lumps or inclusions.

Minuses

not identified.

Reviews and prices for Paulig Classic coffee

No. 4 – Paulig Mokka

Paulig Mokka
Another variety of coffee under the Paulig brand is Paulig Mokka. It differs from Paulig Classic in its higher robusta content, which affects the taste of the drink. Paulig Mokka coffee has an increased strength, invigorates well in the morning, and has a pronounced tonic effect due to the large amount of caffeine included in robusta. Those who are going to try this coffee for the first time should take into account that it leaves a long aftertaste in the mouth with a characteristic bitterness.

Characteristics of Paulig Mokka coffee:

variety – Arabica/Robusta;
grinding – the finest;
degree of roasting – medium;
average cost – 178 rubles per pack of 200 g.

pros

It tones well and helps you wake up in the morning.

Minuses

high content of robusta (robusta contains a lot of caffeine, which negatively affects the functioning of the heart, central nervous system, and brain);
strong bitterness.

Prices for Paulig Mokka coffee

Coffee Paulig Mokka

No. 3 – Lebo Extra

Lebo Extra
Lebo Extra is one of the most popular types of coffee among customers with a very affordable price and excellent taste characteristics. The coffee contains coffee beans grown in Colombia, has a bright rich aroma and a soft, refined taste, without an aftertaste. Used for cooking in Turk.

Characteristics of Lebo Extra coffee:

variety - Arabica;
grinding – fine (“velvet”);
degree of roasting – medium;
The average cost is 75 rubles per pack of 100 g.

pros

100% Arabica;
low price with high quality;
soft taste.

Minuses

not identified.

Prices for Lebo Extra coffee

Coffee Lebo Extra

No. 2 – Blues Decaf (decaffeinated)

Blues Decaf (decaffeinated)
Blues Decaf is a brand of elite coffee, for the preparation of which freshly roasted Arabica beans are used. Coffee under this brand does not contain caffeine and is prepared using a special Swiss Water Process technology, which allows several times to reduce the caffeine content in mature coffee beans without the use of chemicals. Blues Decaf coffee is perfect for strong coffee lovers who are contraindicated in drinking caffeine-containing drinks (persons with heart and vascular diseases).

Characteristics of Blues Decaf coffee:

variety - Arabica;
grinding – fine;
degree of roasting – strong (dark);
average cost – 421 rubles per 200 g.

pros

suitable for people with cardiac pathologies, as it does not contain caffeine;
contains 100% high quality Arabica beans, hand-selected;
can be used during pregnancy and breastfeeding;
You can drink it at night.

Minuses

high price;
slightly sour taste.

Prices for Blues Decaf coffee (decaffeinated)

Blues Ground coffee Blues Decaf decaf

No. 1 – Dallmayr Esspresso Monaco

Dallmayr Esspresso Monaco
A bright and rich deep roast coffee. Despite the fact that the composition contains robusta beans, the taste of the drink is still very soft and develops well, since their content is no more than 5% (95% is Arabica beans). You can prepare this coffee in a Turkish coffee maker, an espresso coffee maker or a geyser-type coffee maker. Dallmayr Esspresso Monaco is also great for making lattes and cappuccinos.

Characteristics of Dallmayr Esspresso Monaco coffee:

variety – Arabica 95%, Robusta 5%;
grinding – the finest;
degree of roasting – strong (dark);
average cost – 477 rubles per 200 g jar.

pros

can be used to make espresso, latte and cappuccino;
high Arabica content.

Minuses

too tart and thick.

Prices for Dallmayr Esspresso Monaco coffee

Dallmayr Esspresso Monaco

Rating of brands

When creating the rating of ground coffee, experts took ordinary varieties and brands as a basis, without taking into account elite products that only really rich people can afford. These are varieties such as Hacienda La Esmeralda from Panama or Blue Mountain from Jamaica.

The most famous brands on the Russian market

The Russian rating was created based on reviews of ground coffee and samples research.

Coffee roast levels

Lavazza is the world's most popular brand. Available in a wide range from grain to ground, in capsules and pods. There are types of products without caffeine and for making specialty coffee drinks. It has a good taste and subtle aromatic properties.
Illy is a 100% blend of Arabica beans of different varieties. It has a low caffeine content and unique taste that has not changed over 3 generations of owners.
Jardin is the most popular in the Russian market in the middle price segment. It is represented by a wide range of products with different tastes and degrees of strength.
Paulig – coffee from Finland. It has medium strength, good taste and consistent quality.
Camardo is again an Italian brand. A new, but already popular product in Russia. Presented as coffee for espresso and for preparing a Turkish drink.
Live coffee is an expensive and worthy product. Presented as single varieties. It is produced using a special technology that ensures the ripening of the grain after roasting in the package.
Madeo is a strong Arabica with a high caffeine content. It has a pleasant sourness in taste.
Mauro. Product for professionals. It makes excellent Italian espresso. Presented with blends from different parts of the world.
Malongo is a brand of the best premium coffee, presented in a wide range.
Ionia - ideal for preparation in coffee makers and coffee machines; its taste is similar to the Finnish Paulig.

You can drink any coffee, especially if you sweeten it and add milk, but you can only enjoy a high-quality product, ideally tailored to your own taste preferences. And this can only be done through trial and error, and the rating presented above will serve as a guide to action.

TOP 4 medium ground coffee

Photo	Name	Rating	Price
#1		Lavazza Crema e Gusto	⭐ 98 / 100 6 — votes	More details
#2		Julius Meinl Viennese breakfast	⭐ 94 / 100 1 - voice	More details
#3		Julius Meinl President	⭐ 90 / 100	More details
#4		Jardin Americano Crema	⭐ 85 / 100 4 - votes Read also: How to brew ground coffee in a cup? important features	More details

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Medium grind coffee is a drink with a classic taste of medium strength. It is best to drink it for breakfast or after lunch, as this coffee has a strong tonic effect. Good additions to medium-ground coffee are lemons, cream and desserts based on natural berries.

No. 4 – Jardin Americano Crema

Jardin Americano Crema
One of the most popular brands of ground coffee. Jardin Americano Crema coffee has a soft and harmonious taste and a rich caramel shade due to low roasting. A special feature of the finished drink is the presence of dense creamy foam. Arabica beans are used in production (more than 90%), and the taste is diluted with notes of robusta, resulting in a delicate and tart aftertaste after drinking the drink.

Characteristics of Jardin Americano Crema coffee:

variety – Arabica/Robusta;
grinding – medium;
degree of roasting – light;
average cost – 181 rubles per pack of 250 g.

pros

high Arabica content;
soft and harmonious taste;
delicate creamy foam;
affordable price.

Minuses

not identified.

Reviews and prices for Jardin Americano Crem coffee

No. 3 – Julius Meinl President

Julius Meinl President
Julius Meinl President is one of the most popular brands of medium ground coffee. This is premium coffee with a bright, memorable taste, made from high-quality high-mountain Arabica beans. All products from this manufacturer are produced in tight vacuum packaging, which allows you to preserve all the taste and aroma as much as possible. Julius Meinl President has a slightly bitter aftertaste and slight sourness, as it contains 15% robusta.

Characteristics of coffee Julius Meinl President:

variety – Arabica 85%, Robusta 15%;
grinding – medium;
degree of roasting – medium;
average cost – 287 rubles per pack of 250 g.

pros

contains high quality grains.

Minuses

not identified.

Coffee prices Julius Meinl President

Coffee Julius Meinl President

No. 2 – Julius Meinl Viennese breakfast

Julius Meinl Viennese Breakfast
Another type of coffee from the manufacturer Julius Meinl. It has a tart taste with a piquant bitterness and is high in strength, so it is recommended to drink it during an early breakfast to invigorate and recharge your batteries. The strength is ensured by the high content of robusta, as well as Italian (dark) roasting.

Characteristics of Julius Meinl Viennese Breakfast coffee:

variety – Arabica 75%, Robusta 25%;
grinding – medium;
degree of roasting – dark;
average cost – 348 rubles per pack of 250 g.

pros

helps to wake up in the morning or cheer up after hard mental work.

Minuses

very strong;
The taste is not for everyone (according to customer reviews, it is very bitter).

Coffee prices Julius Meinl Viennese breakfast

Coffee Julius Meinl Viennese breakfast

No. 1 – Lavazza Crema e Gusto

Lavazza Crema e Gusto
One of the best brands of strong black coffee, medium grind, containing only 30% Arabica. Due to strong roasting, the drink turns out strong, rich and thick with dense foam.

Characteristics of Lavazza Crema e Gusto coffee:

variety – Arabica 30%, Robusta 70%;
grinding – medium;
degree of roasting – dark;
The average cost is 253 rubles per pack of 250 g.

pros

excellent tart taste for lovers of strong coffee.

Minuses

not identified.

Prices for Lavazza Crema e Gusto coffee

Coffee Lavazza Crema e Gusto

The most bitter coffee

Bitter Arabica coffee is quite difficult to prepare. This variety is characterized by a milder taste. However, bitter notes are prominent in Arabica Honduras and Arabica Ethiopia Mocha. To give the desired flavor, ground pepper is often added to it.

The most bitter coffee is Liberica. It is classified as a technical variety that is added to other coffee blends. This is due to excessive strength and bitterness. In second place is Robusta. Accordingly, the desired effect can be achieved by purchasing mixtures with a high concentration of this variety of fruit. The brand doesn't really matter.

The main thing is to look at the composition. The package should contain a maximum of Robusta and a little Liberica. Arabica should not predominate.

TOP 3 coarse ground coffee

Photo	Name	Rating	Price
#1		Illy	⭐ 96 / 100 5 — votes	More details
#2		Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo	⭐ 90 / 100 2 - votes	More details
#3		Lebo Exclusive	⭐ 88 / 100 3 - votes	More details

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Coarsely ground coffee has the richest taste, so it is chosen by true connoisseurs of coffee taste, which is perfectly revealed with various desserts, toppings and additives.

No. 3 – Lebo Exclusive

Lebo Exclusive
One of the most budget-friendly types of coarsely ground coffee, the quality is not inferior to more expensive analogues. The product is made from selected Arabica coffee beans grown on Colombian farms and has a medium roast. The taste of the finished drink is very rich, rich, containing notes of caramel and cocoa. The aftertaste is fruity, with notes of wine. An excellent choice for even the most sophisticated coffee lovers.

Characteristics of Lebo Exclusive coffee:

variety - Arabica;
grinding – coarse;
degree of roasting – medium;
average cost – 190 rubles per pack of 250 g.

pros

very affordable price with high quality;
goes well with various alcoholic drinks, fruits and desserts, revealing them in a new way and emphasizing their individual taste;
Contains selected 100% Arabica beans.

Minuses

not identified.

Prices for Lebo Exclusive coffee

Coffee Lebo Exclusive

No. 2 – Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo

Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo
Very expensive, elite coffee, the cost of which is more than 1000 rubles per 250 g jar. The production uses selected beans of two varieties of Arabica, which are extracted from plantations in South America. The drink has a harmonious, whole taste with notes of chocolate and a spicy floral motif. Suitable for gourmets and connoisseurs of aristocratic taste. Pairs well with cheese and fruit.

Characteristics of Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo coffee:

variety - Arabica;
grinding – coarse;
degree of roasting – light;
average cost – 1174 rubles per 250 g jar.

pros

the finished drink has a unique blend, which is produced by the composition of two elite Arabica varieties;
soft taste.

Minuses

very high cost.

Prices for Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo coffee

Coffee Diemme Caffe Blue Lungo

No. 1 - Illy

Illy
Illy is coarsely ground coffee for use in geyser-type coffee makers. The taste of the drink is rich, fully revealed from the first sip, and has sweet notes of chocolate and caramel. A special feature of this manufacturer is the packaging of beans under pressure, which results in natural mixing of essential coffee oils. This method allows you not only to preserve the freshness and beneficial properties of the product, but also to reveal the taste and aroma of ground coffee in a new way.

Characteristics of Illy coffee:

variety - Arabica;
grinding – coarse;
degree of roasting – medium;
average cost – 719 rubles per 250 g jar.

pros

the product is packaged under pressure, which helps preserve its taste and beneficial properties;
soft, long-lasting taste.

Minuses

high price.

Reviews and prices for Illy coffee

How to choose the best Turkish coffee

Each consumer is guided by his own criteria when choosing Turkish coffee. It can be taste and aroma, strength, price; for some, the manufacturer is important, while others fall for promotional offers, saving not only on price, but, often, on quality.

Coffee experts identify the following main selection criteria:

taste qualities;
price, relationship with quality;
variety;
growing region;
grinding;
degree of doneness;
brand popularity.

If taste and price are subjective things, then other criteria need to be studied in order to choose the most optimal product for yourself.

Ground coffee: varieties, varieties

There are a huge number of varieties of ground coffee, which have completely different taste characteristics, depending not only on the type of coffee beans and the place of their collection, but also on other important features: the degree of grinding and roasting, the country of origin, the addition of various flavoring substances, for example, natural vanilla extract or liqueur. If you have never tried ground coffee before, when going to the store, you should find out what information on the label you should pay attention to first.

Grinding degree

To make ground coffee from coffee beans, they are first roasted and then crushed (ground) in special machines called roller mills. The degree of grain grinding determines the uniformity of the finished drink, as well as its texture, consistency, taste and aroma. If you are a lover of fine and refined coffee, preference should be given to a fine or ultra-fine grind product. Turkish coffee is prepared from very finely ground beans. It is cooked in special pots with the addition of cane sugar, caramel or milk cream. For a “coarser” and tart drink with a characteristic bitterness, you can use medium and coarse grind coffee: it is this type of coffee that has a pronounced tonic effect and activates the body’s own energy resources, especially in the morning.

Types of ground coffee depending on the degree of grinding

Degree of grinding (grinding)	Cooking time	Acceptable brewing method
Ultrafine/extrafine	1 minute	Turk.
Thin	4 minutes	Filter coffee maker or espresso coffee maker.
Average	6 minutes	Drip coffee maker.
Coarse/Coarse	8 minutes	Piston coffee maker (French press).

Coffee grind level

Roasting degree

The degree of roasting of beans is another important criterion for people who value coffee for its unique velvety taste. Just like the degree of grinding, it can be weak, medium, strong and very strong. Not only the healthfulness, physical, chemical and organoleptic properties of the product, but also its taste depend on how long the grains are roasted before grinding. There are four main degrees of roasting:

Very strong. It is also called dark roasting, since the essential oils that are released from green coffee beans give them a pronounced dark chocolate color and a characteristic, very bright aroma. This coffee is very strong and expressive, but the large amount of caffeine alkaloid does not allow you to drink it in the afternoon due to its strong stimulating effect on the nervous system.
Strong. Strongly roasted coffee is also quite tart and leaves a bitter aftertaste, but its taste is softer compared to dark roasted coffee (the taste of such a drink is called velvety).
Average (Viennese). Medium roasting of the grain allows you to get a rich, aromatic drink with a slightly sweet tint. This coffee goes well with milk and caramel cream.
Weak. This method of heat treatment of coffee is called light roasting, since the shell of the grain does not have time to fully open, which leads to incomplete release of esters. Lightly roasted coffee has a caramel hue, a soft, refined taste and is suitable for those who like to drink a couple of cups of aromatic drink in the afternoon.

The classic roasting option is the Viennese method: this coffee tones well and has a fairly rich, but at the same time quite mild taste and a very bright aroma.

Coffee grind level

Bean variety

More than 300 varieties of coffee are known in the world today, but Arabica and Robusta remain the most common and consumed. Robusta is a cheaper variety that is often added to instant coffee drinks to give them a rich flavor (Robusta contains almost twice as much caffeine as Arabica). The aroma and taste characteristics of Robusta, from the point of view of true coffee connoisseurs, are weaker than those of Arabian coffee, but quite a large number of people prefer this particular type for its rich astringency and weak bitterness.

Experts consider the Arabica variety to be the most delicious and high-quality coffee. A product labeled "100% Arabica" always carries a higher price than a blend coffee because it is a premium drink.

Arabica and Robusta

Is it worth going by price?

The most expensive type of coffee is kopi luwak. It is produced only in Indonesia, the Philippines, southern Vietnam and India. One cup of the drink on the island of Sumatra, right next to the plantations, costs approximately 350 rubles. In Moscow you can buy 100 grams for 4,700 rubles. But is this type the best ground coffee and is it suitable for Turkish coffee? The huge price is due only to the production method.

After all, kopi luwak is obtained from... the excrement of musangs, small animals that eat “coffee cherries.” In the stomach, the pulp is digested, and the fermented grains are excreted in the feces. They are washed, dried, fried and made into a drink. Gourmets claim that kopi luwak coffee has an excellent, harmonious, delicate taste. But the price for it, to put it mildly, bites. Is it worth paying so much money for musang poop? Good Turkish coffee can be brewed from regular Arabica and Robusta varieties. And such pleasure will cost much less

How to buy good ground coffee: expert advice

Despite the fact that coffee is not an essential food product, its choice should be taken very seriously, since the degree of pleasure and satisfaction of taste needs directly depends on the quality of the purchased drink. To avoid making a mistake and purchasing a product that is of poor quality or does not meet your needs, we have collected expert advice to help you make the right choice.

Before buying ground coffee, you should decide exactly how you plan to prepare it. For example, if you have a special Turk or espresso coffee maker at home, you need to choose fine and ultra-fine grind coffee, and to prepare coarse coffee you will first need to purchase a French press.
The market leaders producing the highest quality elite and premium coffee are Italy and Germany.
The higher the degree of roasting of the beans, the stronger and richer the taste of the finished drink will be. This must be taken into account if you do not like coffee with a bitter or tart aftertaste.
The strongest coffee is made from Robusta beans. It contains a lot of caffeine, so this coffee invigorates and tones well.
Arabica coffee has a slight acidity and a rich, deep aroma.
The freshest, most delicious and high-quality coffee is stored in vacuum packaging.
Loose coffee may only be sold in paper bags. It is recommended to store coffee in the same bag at home, isolating it from other products and substances.
The most natural coffee reveals itself within 7-10 days after purchase, after which the taste and aroma gradually become less intense.

Fans of unusual flavors should pay special attention to the quality of ground coffee. They must remember that only natural spices, such as vanilla, cinnamon, cardamom, can be added to ground coffee. If you find coffee on the shelves with the aroma of fruits or hazelnuts, you are looking at a product with the addition of chemical flavors and dyes, which not only distorts the taste of real coffee, but can also be dangerous to your health.

Arabica and Robusta

Unlike tea, the raw material for which is provided by one biological species, the Chinese Camellia, coffee beans are supplied by two plants. One of them is Coffea arabica. The homeland of this tree is Arabia, but now it is cultivated everywhere in countries with a suitable climate. Arabica is very whimsical, susceptible to diseases, and suffers from insects. She loves dry, but not very hot climates. Many people believe that good Turkish coffee is 100% Arabica. But is it?

Let's see what robusta is. The Latin name for this tree is Coffea canephora. In the tropics, robusta grows like nettle in our country. The tree is completely unpretentious, tenacious, like a weed, and at the same time produces a bountiful harvest, despite weather conditions. Naturally, Robusta is much cheaper than carefully cultivated Arabica. But these two types of coffee have different tastes. Arabica is soft, with delicate caramel undertones. Its aroma resembles either cream or blueberries. Robusta is more “plebeian”. But it has a higher caffeine content. And this substance gives the entire drink strength and a distinct bitter taste. From all this we can conclude that it is better to mix both types of grains to get the perfect drink.