Zakaj je dober mlinček najpomembnejši pripomoček za kavo? ☕

Why is a good grinder the most important coffee accessory? ☕

Many people first invest in a coffee machine when starting their home coffee journey. But the truth is:
👉 I'd rather have a good grinder and a mediocre coffee machine than the other way around.

Why? Because quality coffee preparation starts with the grinding, not the coffee machine.

🕰️ A brief look at the history of the coffee grinder

Before true coffee grinders existed, coffee was simply ground with mortars or crushed with rolling pins and other spice implements. But as coffee's popularity grew in Europe and America in the 17th century, the need for specialized equipment arose.
  • The first specialized coffee grinder is said to have appeared in England at the end of the 17th century.
  • In 1798, American Thomas Bruff Sr. patented a wall-mounted grinder that attached to the kitchen wall – it was practical and affordable.
  • In the early 19th century, manual metal grinders, as we know them today, became widespread – often in wooden boxes, with a handle on top and a drawer for ground coffee below.
These grinders made it possible for anyone to make freshly ground coffee at home – and this tradition remains strong today.

⚙️ How does a coffee grinder work?

Inside the grinder are the grinding elements – knives or millstones (burr system).

🔸 Blades cut the grains - often unevenly.
🔸 Millstones crush grains - precisely and consistently.

💡 The biggest difference between a bad and a good grinder is the ability to fine-tune the grind. More settings = more control = better coffee.

🌬️ Why is freshly ground coffee worth its weight in gold?

Coffee contains more than 800 aromatic compounds, which quickly disappear after grinding.

☝️ One-minute rule: within one minute of grinding, coffee can lose up to 60% of its aroma and flavor.

👉 If you use pre-ground coffee, you are only drinking a pale version of what it could be.

That's why fresh grinding at home is one of the most important steps to better coffee – every time.

🧭 Manual or automatic grinder?

Hand grinders are great for:
  • Pour-over, French press, Aeropauses.
  • Precise and controlled coarse grinding.
  • Travel, quiet and affordable.

Automatic grinders are ideal for:
  • Espresso preparation where fine, precise and constant grinding is required.
  • Greater quantity and speed.
  • Daily use at home or in the office.

📌 Espresso is the most delicate method - without proper grinding, even the most expensive coffee machine will make mediocre coffee.
“The grinder is a conductor – without it, the coffee will not play in true harmony.🌟”
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