Title: How Adding Water to Coffee Beans Before Grinding Can Improve Flavor and Extraction Yield
Introduction :
Coffee lovers have long had the idea of pouring a little water over the beans before grinding them. A new study by researchers at the University of Oregon appears to confirm the reasons behind this technique and how it affects the flavor of coffee.
The problem of static electricity:
When coffee beans are ground, they create static electricity that causes the coffee particles to fly in all directions. This can be solved by adding water to the beans before grinding them. Water acts as an insulator, reducing the effect of static electricity. This technique, known as the “Ross drop” technique, is inspired by the materials production industry.
Fight against the formation of lumps:
Adding water not only reduces static, but it also prevents small lumps from forming during brewing. These lumps can cause uneven extraction of the coffee, meaning that some parts of the coffee are not fully used and the flavor suffers. Adding water helps prevent the formation of these lumps and obtains a more homogeneous extraction.
Ideal amount of water:
The amount of water to add may vary depending on the type of coffee and the fineness of the grind. There is no universal rule, but on average, the study showed that adding water increases the extraction yield by 10%. However, it is important to mention that this does not necessarily guarantee a noticeable difference in flavor.
Differences between brewing methods:
Adding water before grinding plays a more important role in espresso and filtered coffee preparations. In the case of a French press or AeroPress, where the grind is coarser, adding water does not make a significant change because all the water is already in contact with all the coffee.
Conclusion :
Adding water to coffee beans before grinding can improve the flavor and extraction yield of the coffee. This technique reduces static electricity and prevents the formation of lumps, guaranteeing a more homogeneous extraction of the coffee. However, it is important to find the ideal amount of water based on each type of coffee.