Conical burr

In coffee grinding, conical burr grinders offer advantages due to their more uniform particle size, lower fine powder content, and smaller extraction surface area. This results in a more balanced coffee concentration and reduces the risk of over-extraction, significantly enhancing the complexity and flavor profile of specialty coffees, producing a smooth, layered taste. However, granular coffee grounds require a longer extraction time. The grinding process typically involves two distinct stages: crushing and grinding. This results in numerous irregular protrusions in the ground coffee, and during grinding, a small number of flaky particles, similar to those produced by flat burrs, may also appear. In other words, while the overall thickness of the particles is uniform, their surface areas vary considerably due to these irregular protrusions. Therefore, conical burr grinders can easily lead to uneven extraction when using a coarse grind. However, with a well-designed burr, a low proportion of ultrafine powder, and excellent brewing techniques, this unevenness can actually contribute to the rich complexity of pour-over coffee. When brewed properly, conical burr grinders produce a vibrant and complex flavor profile, with the different extraction states of each coffee particle contributing to the overall complexity.