Growing up I only knew two ways to use coffee beans to brew a cup of coffee either to buy a grinder to grind the whole bean coffee or to buy a pack of pre-ground coffee.
I always thought that it would take days to brew a cup of coffee with whole bean coffee and the taste would be watery.
But actually, there is a quick method (Not so Quick!) of brewing coffee with whole beans without grinding them that I am going to discuss in this article. I bet that you will get a strong cup of coffee (not watery). It will take more time to brew but it will not take days to brew a single cup of coffee.
If you’re eager to explore this unique way to brew coffee without a grinder or find yourself without a grinder or pre-ground coffee, this article has you covered.
What do you need to brew coffee with whole beans
First, let us look at the supplies you need to brew coffee with beans without grinding them.
These supplies are already present in almost every kitchen you don’t need to buy anything extra.
- Water (Filtered water would be better)
- A saucepan to boil the water
- Stovetop or anything to boil the water
- A Mason Jar (should be made of strong glass)
- A spoon for stirring
- And obliviously a mug and whole coffee beans
Step by step Guide for making coffee with Whole Beans in a Mason jar
Let’s dive into a complete step-by-step process on how to make coffee with whole beans.
1- Heat the water in a saucepan
First, heat the water in a saucepan until it reaches a near-boiling point. It is best to use filtered or bottled water.
2- Measure the coffee beans
Meanwhile, the water is boiling, add your coffee beans to a Mason Jar. The desired amount of coffee beans depends on the strength of the brew you prefer.
I use a 1:15 Coffee Water ratio for a strong cup of coffee, that makes 16 grams or 2 scoops of coffee beans for a 240 mL cup.
3- Pour the water
Now pour the boiling water into the Mason Jar already filled with the coffee beans.
4- Heat the water
Again, fill the water in the saucepan and put it on the stovetop. You can use unfiltered or tap water in this step as you are not going to drink it.
5- Place the Mason Jar in a Saucepan
Now place the Mason Jar in the Saucepan. Make sure that the level of water in the Saucepan meets the level of water in the Mason Jar.
6- Allow it to steep
Keep the heat of the stovetop to medium and allow the coffee beans to steep for 1 hour. (Stirring is also recommended after every 5 to 10 minutes)
7- Pour and strain
Gently remove the saucepan from the stovetop and carefully pull out the Mason jar using towel pads.
Place the strainer over your coffee mug and slowly pour the freshly brewed coffee into the mug.
8- Sip and Enjoy
Take small sips and enjoy your cup of joe! I am sure that you will like the taste of coffee brewed from whole beans coffee.
Another Method
You can also brew a cup of coffee with whole beans with much ease if you have an insulated thermos, flask, or mug. Simply measure out the desired amount of whole beans, add it to the insulated container, and pour in boiling water. Allow the coffee to steep for one hour, shaking it gently every five to ten minutes. Finally, pour the coffee into you’re your mug using a strainer to remove the coffee beans. Sip and enjoy!
How to make Cold Brew with whole bean coffee?
Cold brew coffee requires an extra coarse grind to optimize flavor extraction. Unlike hot brew, cold brew is never exposed to heat, preserving its distinct taste profile.
When using whole coffee beans for your cold brew, give a longer steeping time because the beans don’t have as much surface area and extract flavor more slowly.
1- Put the coffee beans and filtered water into a glass jar or whatever container you want to use (Using an airtight container is a good option).
The recommended coffee-to-water ratio for cold brew is 1:4 (That means 1 cup of coffee beans for 4 cups of cold brew). This will make a strong Cold Brew concentrate that you can dilute later by adding ice, water, or milk.
2- Allow the mixture to steep for 24 hours at room temperature.
3- Once 24 hours have passed, pour the cold brew into a separate container, straining it through a filter to remove the extracted coffee beans.
If you find the brew too strong or too weak. Adjust the steeping time or coffee-to-water ratio next time you brew.
Can you use whole beans to make coffee?
Most of us grind the coffee beans to brew a cup of coffee. It is the most common and preferred way of brewing coffee as the small coffee grounds extract flavors more efficiently.
On the other hand, you can also make a great cup of coffee using whole-bean coffee and it actually has some benefits.
1- Ultimate Freshness: Ground coffee loses its flavor and aroma more rapidly than whole-bean coffee due to its increased surface area. Whole-bean coffee can retain its quality for up to 3 to 5 months when stored appropriately, while ground coffee’s freshness typically lasts only one month.
I am not saying to start using Whole bean coffee instead of ground coffee. I am just saying it would be better to use 3 months old whole beans than 3 months old pre-ground coffee. Obviously, it is always the best practice to grind your coffee just before brewing.
2- Consistent taste: While blade grinders and inexpensive grinders can be convenient, they often produce inconsistent grind sizes, leading to coffee with unbalanced flavors.
For the best taste, invest in a burr coffee grinder otherwise stick to whole beans or pre-ground coffee.
You don’t have to worry about inconsistencies in taste while using whole beans coffee. I admit it will be less flavorful and a little weaker but not unbalanced!
Another great advantage of brewing coffee with whole beans is that you can brew it anywhere. Whether you are on a camping trip or shifted to a new home (where you don’t have access to a grinder) this method of brewing will be very delightful for you.
Why whole beans are not preferred for brewing coffee
While you can brew a good cup of coffee using whole beans it’s not always feasible, because:
1- You have to wait for a long time to brew coffee. You can brew a good cup of coffee using grounds in three to four minutes max, while you have to wait for an hour while using whole-bean coffee.
2- The second con is you have to use more coffee per cup while using whole beans. Economically speaking buying a good quality grinder will be more cost-effective than using whole beans.
And lastly, If you’re a fan of a strong cup of coffee, this brewing method is not for you. The taste won’t be as bold as you get with ground coffee beans.
Read a guide on different ways of brewing coffee
Final Thoughts
And there you have it – a step-by-step guide to making a tasty cup of coffee with whole beans.
Sure, making coffee without a grinder isn’t the most efficient of brewing coffee and it will result in subpar flavors. Still, it’s a good hack if you don’t have access to a grinder.
Let me know in the comments how your coffee turns out using this guide. I’d love to hear your tips and tricks too!
Want to try something different? Read an interesting guide on Kopi Luwak AKA poop coffee
FAQs
What’s The Best Way To Store Whole Coffee Beans?
The best way to store whole coffee beans is to keep them in an airtight container in a cool, dark place! A cabinet or pantry works great. Just make sure no air, light or moisture gets in there, as all of that can make your beans go stale faster.
How Long Do Whole Beans Last?
Whole coffee beans typically maintain peak freshness for 2-3 months when stored in an airtight container away from light, moisture, and heat. After that, they start losing their flavor, so it’s best to savor them while they’re at their prime!
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Interesting hack! Sounds like it’d take forever though. Guess it’s good in a pinch. Wonder if different roasts work better for this method?
Dark roast works better as it extract flavors more quicky. But again, use this method only when you are left only with the beans and have no other option.