10 Ground Coffee Beans UK 2025 That Will Transform Your Morning

What Exactly Is Ground Coffee?

Coffee originates from coffee trees cultivated across the globe, which produce small cherries (typically red in colour) that are harvested and processed to remove their fruity exterior. The seeds within these cherries—what we commonly refer to as coffee beans—are then dried and roasted to perfection.

Ground coffee is simply these roasted coffee beans that have been processed through a coffee grinder, breaking them down into fine particles ready for brewing.

How Much Ground Coffee Should I Use Per Cup?

A standard cup of coffee typically requires between 12g and 20g of ground coffee, though this amount can vary based on several factors including personal taste preferences, brewing method, and the specific type of ground coffee you’re using.

If you prefer a robust, full-bodied coffee with a stronger flavour profile, you might opt for a higher coffee-to-water ratio. Conversely, those who enjoy a milder brew will use less coffee per cup.

The brewing method significantly influences the amount of coffee needed. For instance, some Aeropress recipes call for just 10g of coffee per cup, whilst a cafetière might require double that amount for optimal extraction.

The characteristics of your ground coffee also play a role. Some coffees are more porous than others (often depending on the roast profile), which means they may deliver better flavour with a smaller dose.

How Do I Make Ground Coffee?

Creating ground coffee requires grinding whole coffee beans into small fragments using a coffee grinder. For the best results, consider investing in a quality burr grinder.

Whilst you could simply add hot water to ground coffee and allow the grounds to settle at the bottom (a method used in professional coffee cupping), using a proper brewing method will yield far superior results.

There are numerous brewing techniques to choose from. The cafetière offers one of the most straightforward and classic approaches. Ground coffee also works brilliantly in espresso machines, stovetop espresso makers, pour-over devices, and Aeropress brewers.

What’s the Best Way to Store Ground Coffee?

If your coffee comes in an airtight bag with a resealable closure, store it with as much air expelled as possible to maintain freshness.

For coffee that won’t be used frequently, freezer storage is perfectly acceptable, store it as deep in the freezer as possible in an airtight container with minimal air exposure.

Alternatively, there are excellent airtight coffee storage containers available that create a vacuum seal, effectively keeping oxygen out and preserving your coffee’s freshness for longer periods.

What’s the Difference Between Instant Coffee and Ground Coffee?

Instant coffee and ground coffee represent two entirely different approaches to coffee preparation.

Instant coffee is manufactured by brewing coffee grounds to create an extremely concentrated coffee solution, which is then freeze-dried or spray-dried to produce completely soluble granules. When mixed with hot water, these granules dissolve instantly to create coffee.

Ground coffee consists of tiny fragments of coffee beans that have been processed through a grinder. When combined with hot water using your preferred brewing method, whether an espresso machine, French press, or other technique—the coffee grounds release their soluble compounds into the water, transforming it into a proper cup of coffee.

Ground coffee offers a significantly superior taste experience compared to instant coffee. Instant varieties typically use the lowest quality, cheapest coffee beans available, which are then roasted to extremely high levels, resulting in a bitter and harsh flavour profile.

In contrast, most ground coffee is made from arabica beans and can be brewed using various methods to highlight the coffee’s natural flavours and characteristics.