Every size of our coffee comes two ways, whole bean or ground, and the most common question we get at the farmers market table is which one to buy. The honest answer: it depends on how you make coffee and whether you own a grinder. This short guide to whole bean vs ground coffee will help you pick. Every quote is a real customer review from our reviews page.

The short answer

• Buy whole bean if you have a grinder (or are willing to get one) and want the freshest possible cup.
• Buy ground if you want to scoop and brew, especially in a drip machine, pour over, or percolator.

Both are the same coffee, roasted the same way. The only difference is when it gets ground.

Why whole bean stays fresher

Once coffee is ground, far more of it is exposed to air, and it starts losing aroma and flavor quickly. Whole beans hold onto that flavor much longer, so grinding right before you brew gives you the fullest cup. That is why a lot of serious coffee drinkers grind their own.

“I’m in Florida and I absolutely love your coffee!! I get the whole beans and grind my own. Reminds me of my childhood in Germany.”
Natasha B, Facebook

“Just brewed my first batch of Hoffskeller. Wow! Smooth, with a nice aroma, no acid. Had to break out the coffee grinder for the first time in years.”
Pete M, Facebook

Whole bean also lets you choose your grind for each brewer, which matters more than people think (see the grind guide below). Espresso lovers in particular buy whole bean:

“Bought some. It is really great. I actually grind it for espresso”
Renee M, Facebook

“I grind my own beans, and prepared myself an espresso out of my machine.”
Mark E, Google

Why ground is the easy choice

Ground coffee is simply convenient: open the jar, scoop, brew. If you drink coffee every day and go through a bag in a week or two, it stays plenty fresh, especially stored airtight. Our coffee ships in Mason jars and sealed bags for exactly that reason, and here is how to store coffee so it stays fresh.

“I am half-way through my first order and love your coffee! The grind is perfect for pour over coffee makers. Will be ordering all my coffee from your company from now on, keep up the great work!”
PD, X

Which grind for which brewer

• Drip machine or pour over: medium. Our ground coffee is made for these.
• French press or percolator: coarse. Whole bean ground coarse is best; our ground works too (a paper filter disk helps in a percolator). See our tips on the best coffee for a percolator.
• Moka pot: medium fine.
• Espresso: fine, ground fresh. Whole bean is the way to go.
• Cold brew: coarse. More in our post on the best coffee for cold brew.

So which should you order?

If you are new to us and use a coffee maker, start with The Hoff (1 lb), ground. If you own a grinder, go with The Hoff (1 lb), whole bean, or the Big Hoff Bag (2 lbs) that most of our regulars order. You can switch any time, and every size comes both ways. Order online here, or taste it at one of our Wisconsin farmers markets.