Keurig coffee machine and flavor cups
The plethora of whole coffee beans and various grinds available can make choosing a coffee for your Keurig K-Cup difficult. You can grind your own coffee beans or buy your favorite brand for use in the Keurig K-Cup, a specially designed reusable mesh coffee filter basket. Although Keurig suggests a French press grind, other coffee grinds also work well with a Keurig K-Cup.
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French Press
Woman pouring coffee beans into grinder at supermarket
French press is a coarse coffee grind. Keurig suggests French press in the K-Cup, though other types work, as well. Very few name brand coffees come in a French press grind, so to attain this grind you may need to purchase whole beans and use a coffee grinder with variable settings.
Medium to Medium Fine
Coffee grounds being poured into container
A medium to medium fine coffee grind is the most popular option for Keurig owners. Many brands of coffee offer this coffee grind, or you can grind it yourself. A medium to medium fine grind will be somewhat thin in texture and gritty like sand. This allows the water to flow rapidly through the coffee grounds. If you enjoy a stronger cup of coffee, you may want to entirely fill the K-Cup, which holds 12 grams of coffee grind, for robust flavor. Additionally, flavored coffees require the full 12 grams in the K-Cup if this coffee grind is used. For less flavor or milder coffee, less coffee may be used.
Fine
Fine coffee grounds on wooden spoon
Fine grind coffee has the consistency of salt or sugar. It is very thin. Although finely ground coffee may cause sediment to slip through into your coffee mug, it is possible to use this coffee grind with your Keurig. Most espresso coffees come in fine grind. Popular name brand coffees come in fine grind coffee, so it's easy to get your favorites. Very fine and extra fine grinds should be avoided as they may slips through the mesh in the K-Cup basket.
Tips
Close-up on Keurig coffee system
K-Cups hold approximately 12 grams of ground coffee. The finer the grind, the more coffee is needed. Coarser grinds require only about 6 grams of coffee. Always wash your K-Cup after each use to prevent buildup on the mesh. Be certain that the K-Cup plastic lid is securely screwed on the top of the basket or you will end up with a coffee mug full of grounds. If coffee grounds do slip through, they are easily removed with a spoon.
