To grind white coffee, which is challenging due to the beans' density and hardness, you can use a commercial grinder or, if you prefer an old-fashioned method requiring manual effort, grab your mortar and pestle and grind away.
Why is Grinding White Coffee Different?
White coffee beans are roasted for a shorter time at lower temperatures compared to traditional coffee. This process results in beans that are significantly more dense and harder. According to the provided reference, this density and hardness make grinding them very difficult.
The Manual Method: Mortar and Pestle
If you don't have access to a heavy-duty commercial grinder or are looking for a traditional approach, grab your mortar and pestle and grind away the old-fashioned way. This method requires more "elbow grease" compared to using a grinder, but it allows you to manually break down the hard beans into a usable grind size.
Steps for Grinding with Mortar and Pestle
- Start with small batches: Don't overload the mortar. A small amount of beans (a few tablespoons) at a time is best.
- Break the beans: Begin by gently but firmly pressing the pestle down on the beans to crack them into smaller pieces.
- Grind with a circular or pounding motion: Once cracked, use a combination of pounding and circular grinding motions with the pestle against the sides and bottom of the mortar to reduce the beans to your desired consistency.
- Be patient: Grinding hard white coffee beans manually takes time and effort. Continue until the grind size is suitable for your brewing method (e.g., finer for espresso, coarser for drip or French press).
- Sift (optional): If you need a very consistent grind size, you can sift the ground coffee and regrind any larger pieces left behind.
Can You Use Other Grinders?
The reference highlights that grinding white coffee beans with "anything less than a commercial coffee grinder" is "nearly impossible." Standard home blade grinders or burr grinders may struggle with the extreme hardness of white coffee beans and could potentially be damaged over time. While some high-quality home burr grinders might handle it, the traditional or commercial options are generally recommended due to the bean's unique properties.
