Sometimes, you might not have a grinder on hand when making coffee. Or, you might not have enough time to grind up the beans. If this is the case for you, you might wonder if you can make coffee with whole beans. Is it possible?
It’s possible to make coffee with whole beans, although the taste may not be the same as ground coffee. Without grinding, you may not get the best, most full-bodied flavor. There are several methods you can use to produce coffee without grinding.
If you’re interested in making coffee with whole beans, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll talk about how you can make coffee with whole beans, the benefits of this style, and how you can grind whole beans without a grinder. There's a lot to cover with whole bean coffee. Let’s dive in!
In This Guide...
How Do You Make Coffee With Whole Beans?
If you want to make coffee with whole beans, there are a few strategies. All of these have proven successful in making a delicious cup of coffee, though the taste is a little different than traditional ground coffee.
Three of the best ways to make coffee with whole beans include:
- The double-boiler method
- The steeping method
- The gentle simmering process
Each requires different supplies and time, so it’s best if you’re not in a rush when making coffee with whole beans.
If you’re interested in making coffee with whole beans, we have you covered! Let’s talk about how you can use your whole beans to make a steaming beverage first thing in the morning. It’s easier than you might think, so there’s no need to worry if you don’t have a grinder with you.
Use the Double-Boiler Method
The first way you can make coffee with whole beans is through the double-boiler method. As the name states, there are two boilers involved with this method. You will need a few tools to produce coffee in this way.
To utilize the double-boiler method, you will need:
- A saucepan
- A stove
- Water
- A strainer
- A spoon
- A mug or mason jar
- Whole coffee beans
Gather these materials in one place where you can easily access them.
Once you have your materials, you can dive into the double-boiler process. To perform double-boiling, you will need to:
- Heat a cup of water in the pan to near-boiling
- Add the beans to the mug or mason jar until it’s a third full
- Put the hot water into the container
- Dump more water in the pan, filling it up about halfway
- Put the container in the pan
- Turn on medium heat and let the coffee steep for 45-60 minutes
- Stir the coffee every once in a while
- Remove the jar with tongs
- Strain the coffee
Once you complete these steps, you’ll have a steaming cup of coffee!
This process is a little lengthier than putting grinds in a coffee pot. However, the result is a lovely cup of coffee you can enjoy in the morning.
Steep the Coffee Beans
Another thing you can do is steep your coffee beans. This process is much easier than the double-boiler method, though the taste may differ.
To steep the coffee beans, you will need:
- An insulated container, such as a travel mug, with a lid
- Water for boiling
- Whole coffee beans
These three simple supplies will allow you to make coffee. Lay these out to have access to everything when you need them.
Once you have all your supplies, you can start the steeping process. Here’s how you can steep your coffee beans:
- Add boiling water to the other two-thirds
- Let the water sit for 30 seconds
- Add a third of the container’s worth of coffee beans
- Put the lid on top and shake
- Let the container rest
- Shake every once in a while
- Strain the coffee, getting rid of the beans
After this, you’ll have a wonderful cup of coffee.
The steeping method is more practical for those who don’t have much time on their hands.
Steeping coffee can even come to work with you, so long as you have access to a way to strain.
Utilize a Gentle Simmer
The last method we’ll talk about is a gentle simmer. This method is perfect for a relaxing morning with plenty of time on your hands. There are a few specific supplies you need for the simmering process.
To perform this task, you will need:
- An earthen pot
- A handful of coffee beans
- Water for boiling the coffee
An earthen pot is made out of clay or a similar material. Any pot will serve you well.
Once you’ve laid out your supplies, you can get the process started. To make coffee using a gentle simmer, you will need to:
- Add one and a half cups of water to the pot
- Add the pot to the stove
- Heat the water to boiling
- Put the unground beans in the water
- Let it simmer for thirty minutes
- Strain the coffee, getting rid of the beans, and enjoy
If you love having a big part in your coffee-making, using a gentle simmer is an excellent idea.
A gentle simmer is perhaps the most time-consuming process since you need to keep an eye on the coffee to keep it from burning. The patience is worth it for the delicious cup of coffee you’ll get.
Are There Benefits to Whole Bean Coffee?
If you have access to a grinder, it might seem better to grind up the whole beans into a usable powder. Are there any benefits to whole bean coffee that make it reasonable to make it in the whole bean form?
Here are a few of the benefits that come with whole bean coffee:
- You can keep it longer on the shelf, ensuring you have a vibrant taste for longer
- It’s easier to use and simpler to clean up
- It is less bitter and acidic than ground coffee
You can enjoy all of these items with coffee made from straight whole beans.
Although it can seem counterproductive to make coffee out of whole beans instead of ground coffee, there are plenty of benefits that come with this selection. You can still enjoy a tasty cup in the morning, and it will be less acidic and easier to clean up.
If you choose whole bean coffee, you also have multiple options. If you want to grind up your coffee, you can choose to do so in the morning. If you want to make coffee with whole beans, you can do that as well. Selecting whole beans instead of ground opens up a world of possibilities.
Does Whole Bean Coffee Taste Different Than Ground Coffee?
Whole beans and ground coffee both are effective ways to produce a cup of coffee, but their taste is not the same. Both produce a different flavor and texture that anyone who adores coffee will notice.
Some of the differences in taste between whole bean coffee and ground coffee include:
- Whole bean coffee: This version is less bitter and acidic, less strong than ground coffee.
- Ground coffee: This version is bitter and acidic, carries a certain bite if made strong.
Each will work better for a varying flavor palette.
If you like your coffee to have a kick, ground coffee is best. It pulls as much flavor as possible from the coffee bean, resulting in a beverage with a powerful punch. Since whole beans take longer to steep, the flavor is not quite as strong. You’ll get the coffee taste without the acidic addition to your day.
Can You Grind Whole Coffee Beans Without a Grinder?
For some, these methods might sound like a pain to deal with in the morning. It might be easier to put ground right inside your coffee machine, rather than dealing with a boiling or simmering process. If you don’t want to use whole beans but don’t have a grinder, there is still hope for you.
If you want to grind coffee beans without a grinder, you can do one of the following:
- Blend the beans in a blender
- Crush the beans with a mortar and pestle
- Utilize a knife to smash the beans
These are all effective ways to crush the beans without a blender.
We’ll talk about each of these techniques in more detail so you can understand how to make the most out of your coffee. All of these are simple and quick, so you can get your cup of coffee as soon as possible in the morning.
Use a Blender
A blender is an excellent way to grind anything up into smaller pieces, and coffee beans are no exception. Some blenders even have a grinder setting that is perfect to create coffee grounds.
To make coffee grounds with a blender, you will need to:
- Purchase a blender, such as this one at Amazon
- Plug in the blender
- Put your desired coffee beans inside the machine
- Blend in short bursts
- Use your coffee beans as normal
It shouldn’t take long to get the texture you want with the help of a blender.
It’s critical to blend your beans in short, quick bursts with the blender. If you turn it on and leave it running, you run the risk of overheating the machine. Utilize the grinder setting, or manually burst the machine until you reach the grind you want for your beverage.
Crush with a Mortar and Pestle
A mortar and pestle is a classic toolset that has been in use for centuries. Pharmacists still use mortars and pestles today to grind medicine into a fine powder, and chefs smash their herbs into smaller pieces for use in cooking. It’s an effective material for making big things smaller.
To crush your coffee beans in a mortar and pestle, you will need to:
- Purchase a mortar and pestle, such as this one from Amazon
- Place your beans inside the mortar and pestle
- Crush the beans into a fine grind using a pressured twisting motion
- Roll the grinds around the bowl until the texture you want appears
- Use the coffee beans as normal
The result should be the same as traditional grounds.
A mortar and pestle is a simple way to get grounds, and it’s also an excellent workout. If this doesn’t sound like the right choice for you, there is one other method you can try to get grounds.
Utilize a Knife
If you don’t care about the consistency of the grind, you can always use a knife to press open your coffee beans. A knife will crush and crack the beans open so the water can filter through them more consistently. The harder you crush them, the closer you will get to a fine medium grind.
To use a knife to make coffee grounds, you will need to:
- Purchase a chef’s knife, like this one on Amazon
- Lay your beans on a cutting board
- Use the flat side of the knife to crush the beans
- Repeat the process until the desired amount is achieved
- Use the grounds like normal
It may take a little time to get the grounds, as this process is very manual.
A hammer works in the same way as a knife but is more efficient. Both tools are excellent ways to grind your coffee if you don’t have a grinder at hand. Take care to avoid cutting or crushing your hands as you complete this process.
Enjoying Whole Bean Coffee
If you don’t have a grinder, there’s no need to despair! There are plenty of ways to make coffee without grinding the beans down into powder. There are also several ways to crush your coffee beans without a grinder or similar technology. Whole bean coffee is a new way to drink coffee in the morning.
We hope this information was helpful! Many are unaware that coffee can still be enjoyed in its whole bean format, even though it has a slightly different taste than traditional ground coffee. We recommend you give one of these techniques a try. You never know what you might end up enjoying.