Coffee-Beans Versus Ground

[pastafreak]

How much coffee will I get from 500gm ground vs 500gm beans? Is it the same?

[DTCwordfan]

depends on how finely you have it ground or grind it yourself.....

[pastafreak]

I'd be grinding it myself....which I've never done before.

[DTCwordfan]

well you may lose a tad on the dust but not that much - but at least your coffee will be fresher by keeping it in bean form. The increasing fineness of the grind would increase the ratio of the surface exposed to the hot water on the ground grains.....but then do you want your coffee 'sludgy' like an Arabic or Turkish one.....

[pastafreak]

I'm guessing "sludgy" is an acquired taste...

[Clanad]

'Sludgy' or not... one would expect to derive the same weight of coffee as the weight of the beans.

Problem is, be aware that coffee is sold by weight, but typically consumed by volume. Additionally, dark roasted coffee is lighter in weight so it takes more volume to fill a 1 lb. bag. Same holds true for "green" coffee beans in that they have more moisture, hence the actual volume of coffee beans will be less than pre-roasted since all coffees (at least here in the U.S.) are sold by weight.

One site says "...a rule of thumb to convert (weight to volume) coffee: 1 pound of coffee equals 100 tablespoons of coffee (whole coffee beans or ground coffee)..."

[Mosaic]

In comparison, you know exactly where you stand with a tea bag

[Hypognosis]

@pastafreak


Beans might extend the product life because only the outer surface of the bean would be exposed to the air, whereas ground is disturbed and mixed with the air, every time you open the jar.

If the dregs of the pre-ground pack are *noticeably* staler, or lacking flavour, compared to the top of a freshly-opened pack, then maybe beans would be better, based on your rate of consumption.

I thought the main selling point of beans was that you are more involved in the process of making the stuff. However, that 'niche' appeal would, logically, make them the 'premium' product and the higher price. Is that why you're asking?

[Clanad]

Namely, standing by the kitchen sink with a warm cup of really weak brownish stuff mad as heck 'cause I forgot to get a pound of Pike Place yesterday...