Coarse Ground Coffee: Best Brands, Types, and Where To Buy

Coarse ground coffee is a type of ground coffee made of large, uneven particles similar to sea salt, ideal for immersion brewing methods like French press and cold brew. Coarse and fine ground coffee have similar caffeine content, with about 95 mg per 8 oz serving, but their flavor strength varies. To choose the best coarse ground coffee, prioritize fresh, roast-to-order beans and select specialty coffee brands over mass-produced options. Consider Arabica for a smooth flavor or Robusta for a bolder taste. Coarse ground coffee varies from extra coarse to medium-coarse, and each suits different brewing methods. To make coarse coffee at home, use a burr grinder set to coarse. If unavailable, crush beans with a mortar and pestle, rolling pin, or clean hammer. Coarse ground coffee is one of many grind sizes, and each has different brewing methods and flavor preferences.

What is Coarse Ground Coffee?

Coarse ground coffee refers to coffee beans ground into large, chunky particles and a rougher texture compared to finer grinds. Coarse ground coffee works best for steeping or immersion brewing methods like French press and cold brew, where coarsely ground coffee steeps fully in water before filtering. Other brewing methods with coarse ground coffee include percolator, which cycles hot water through grounds, and Cowboy Coffee, which boils grounds and lets them settle.

Coarse ground coffee is typically made using a burr grinder with two abrasive surfaces or a blade grinder with a spinning blade. The word "coarse" means coffee particles are larger and lighter, which slows extraction and reduces bitterness. The size of coarse ground coffee generally ranges from 750 to 1600 microns, depending on the brewing method. It is the coarsest coffee grind, with the largest particle size used in brewing. Any type of coffee bean can make coarse ground coffee, though Arabica beans are favored for their rich flavor. Other names for coarse grind coffee include extra-coarse, French press grind, and cold brew grind.

What Does Coarse Ground Coffee Look Like?

Coarse ground coffee looks chunky, with a texture like kosher or sea salt and visibly large, uneven particles. This grind has a rough surface and is easy to spot compared to finer grinds. When you touch coarse ground coffee, it feels gritty, lacking the smoothness of fine grinds. Its large particles resemble coarse sugar, gritty sand, or small pebbles, giving it a chunky look. Coarse ground coffee has larger pieces, making it distinct from medium or fine grinds, and must be chosen carefully for specific brewing methods. To check if coffee is coarse ground, examine the particle size or find labels like “French press,” “coarsely ground,” or “cold brew” on the packaging. The following image compares fine ground coffee on the left with coarse ground coffee on the right.

Is Coarse Ground Coffee Stronger?

No, coarse ground coffee is not stronger than fine ground coffee; both have about 95 mg of caffeine per 8 oz and 142 mg per 12 oz, which is similar. However, flavor strength differs because coarse ground coffee extracts more slowly and creates a milder taste due to larger grounds. A 2025 study in Foods led by Mirtha Navarro-Hoyos from the University of Costa Rica found that fine ground coffee had higher antioxidant and polyphenol levels than medium or coarse grinds, showing stronger flavor intensity depending on the roast, bean type and brand.

What are the Best Coarse Ground Coffee Brands?

The best coarse ground coffee brand is defined by freshness, consistent grind quality, bean origin, and flavor profile. Top brands use premium Arabica beans, roast them recently, and grind them uniformly for the best flavor and aroma. Below are five brands that consistently deliver the best coarse ground coffee.

1. Colipse Cold Brew Coarse Ground Coffee
2. Gevalia Special Reserve Guatemala
3. Primos Coffee Company
4. Stack Street Cold Brew Colombian Reserve
5. New England Coffee Blueberry Cobbler

1. Colipse Cold Brew Coarse Ground Coffee

Colipse Cold Brew Coarse Ground Coffee is a medium roast coffee blend made from specialty-grade Arabica beans. It is among the best-tasting coarse ground coffee for cold brew because it is roasted to order in small batches and shipped the same day. It offers an inviting aroma, balanced acidity, moderate body, gentle sweetness, and a smooth finish with notes of chocolate, toffee, and subtle floral hints. This medium roast coarse ground coffee is ideal for cold brewing with brewers like the Toddy, OXO, or Hario Mizudashi, or DIY methods using a Mason jar, French press, or pitcher with a fine-mesh strainer. It is sold on Colipse’s website in 12 oz, 1 lb, 2 lb, and 5 lb bags with free U.S. shipping and subscription discounts.

2. Gevalia Special Reserve Guatemala

Gevalia Special Reserve Guatemala Single Origin is a medium roast coarse ground coffee from 100% Arabica beans sourced solely from Guatemala. It is slow roasted and snap cooled for rich aroma and freshness. It is ideal for French presses, cold brew, and cowboy coffee due to its coarse grind. It has a clear aroma, mild acidity, full body, subtle sweetness, and smooth finish with a clean aftertaste. It is sold on Amazon and select online retailers in 12 oz bags for around $22.50 with a 10% subscription discount and free U.S. shipping, though prices vary. It is high-quality and aromatic, but without a roast date, freshness may vary.

3. Primos Coffee Company

Primos Coffee Company Coffee Collection is a coarse ground Arabica coffee from Nicaragua, available in medium and dark roasts. It is offered as whole beans or coarse grind for infusion coffee brewing with French press by Bodum, cold brew makers like Takeya, or percolators from Farberware. It has a warm aroma, mild acidity, smooth medium body, gentle sweetness, and clean aftertaste. It is sold on Primos’ website and select North American online retailers in 12 oz or 1 lb packages.

4. Stack Street Cold Brew Colombian Reserve

Stack Street Cold Brew Colombian Reserve Coffee is a dark roast from 100% Arabica beans in a coarse grind. It is a top choice for store bought coarse ground coffee. It is ideal for French press, mason jar, pitcher, and cold brew makers like Toddy but less suitable for espresso machines requiring fine grinds. This dark roast coarse ground coffee offers a bold, smooth flavor with low acidity and notes of sweetness, nuts, and chocolate. It’s sold on Stack Street’s site, Amazon, and Walmart in 12 oz and 1 lb bags for $14.00 with subscription discounts.

5. New England Coffee Blueberry Cobbler

New England Coffee Blueberry Cobbler is a medium roast from 100% Arabica beans in a custom-coarse grind. It is one of the best budget-friendly flavored coarse ground coffees, with sweet blueberry notes and a hint of spice. It’s ideal for large-batch brewing in a 34 oz French press or glass jars using standard cold brew recipes. It offers a rich aroma, balanced acidity, medium body, and smooth finish. It is sold in coarse ground 1 lb bags for $11.00 on New England Coffee’s site, but only in drip ground sizes on Amazon, Walmart, Target, and ShopRite. It’s flavorful and versatile but includes artificial flavors.

How to Pick the Best Coarse Ground Coffee?

To pick the best coarse ground coffee, follow the 6 tips outlined below.

• Prioritize Freshness: Freshness in coarse ground coffee means recently roasted beans with peak flavor and aroma. It improves taste but requires frequent buying to stay fresh. Choose "roast to order" coffee for the best results. Freshness is key to flavor, aroma, and effective brewing.
• Evaluate Quality: Quality in coarse ground coffee means using specialty grade beans with richer flavor and complexity than supermarket coffee. It tastes better but usually costs more. Choose specialty coffee for superior taste; supermarket coffee often lacks these qualities.
• Consider Bean Type: Arabica beans give smooth, rich flavor, while Robusta makes a bolder, stronger cup. Arabica suits coarse brewing, but Robusta adds caffeine. Choose based on flavor or strength to match your taste.
• Examine Packaging: Proper packaging keeps coarse ground coffee fresh by blocking oxygen and moisture. Airtight bags with one-way valves work best but may need resealing. Choose packaging with valves to prevent oxidation and preserve flavor.
• Use Subscriptions and Discounts: Subscriptions deliver fresh coarse ground coffee regularly and offer savings, but limit flexibility in bean or grind choice. They ensure freshness, and bulk purchases add extra savings.
• Choose Bulk Options for Large Batch Brewing: Buying coarse ground coffee in bulk saves money for frequent brewers but risks staleness without proper storage. Bulk buying is cost-effective and ensures a steady supply.

What are the Different Types of Coarse Coffee Grounds?

The 3 main types of coarse coffee grounds by size include extra coarse, coarse, and medium-coarse. The main difference between types of coarse ground coffee is particle size, which controls how quickly flavors extract and how clear the brew tastes. Other factors like bean origin, roast level, processing, freshness, and grind consistency also affect flavor and brewing results.

• Extra Coarse Ground Coffee: Extra coarse ground coffee is the coarsest grind, with chunk-like pieces resembling peppercorns or rock salt, typically over 1.5 mm wide. This grind suits long extraction methods like cold brew, which steeps for 12–24 hours and produces a smooth, low-acid cup. It also works for rustic styles like Cowboy coffee.
• Coarse Ground Coffee: Coarse ground coffee has large particles, about 1 to 1.5 mm, like kosher salt. It’s made for immersion methods like French Press, where grounds steep in hot water for four minutes. The grind allows free water flow, reducing slip-through and bitterness while producing full-bodied flavor. It also suits percolators.
• Medium-Coarse Ground Coffee: Medium-coarse ground coffee sits between coarse and medium grinds, with a beach sand texture and particles from 0.5 to 1 mm. It works well in French Press or drip makers but may slip through filters. This grind offers balanced flavor and adapts to methods like pour-over with slight adjustments.

Can You Buy Coarse Ground Coffee at the Grocery Store?

Yes, you can buy coarse ground coffee at some grocery stores, but it is less common than regular ground coffee. Most shelf ground coffee products target drip brewers, which use medium grind. Coarse grind is rarer because it's made for French press and cold brew, which have lower demand. Starbucks, Folgers, and Dunkin' Donuts typically offer medium grind, not coarse.

Where to Buy Coarse Ground Coffee?

You can buy coarse ground coffee online from stores that offer specialty-grade single origin and blend options. Colipse Coffee is one example. We offer 30+ blends and single origins in all grind types, including coarse ground coffee in 12 oz to 5 lb bags starting at $20.99 with free U.S. shipping. It’s ideal for cold brew, French press, and percolators. You can explore all our coarse ground coffee options and view the latest prices to find the best choice for your brewing needs. Choosing Colipse Coffee guarantees high quality with coffee shipped straight to your door.

How to Coarse Grind Coffee at Home?

To coarse grind coffee at home effectively, follow these seven steps outlined below.

1. Select a burr grinder to ensure consistent particle size; avoid blade grinders, which create uneven grinds.
2. Measure 20–30 grams of whole coffee beans using a digital kitchen scale for accuracy.
3. Adjust the burr grinder setting to coarse, aiming for particles roughly the size of sea salt or 1 mm in diameter.
4. Grind the beans slowly to reduce friction and avoid overheating, which can degrade flavor.
5. Inspect the grind visually or use a sieve to confirm uniformity—large, even chunks with minimal fines are ideal.
6. Match the grind to the brewing method by using coarse grind for French press, cold brew, or percolator coffee.
7. Clean the grinder weekly with a brush or cleaning tablet to maintain performance and flavor integrity.

How to Coarse Grind Coffee Without a Grinder??

To coarse grind coffee without a grinder, use alternative kitchen tools and techniques that maintain grind size and consistency.

1. Place whole coffee beans in a plastic ziplock bag and seal it tightly to prevent spillage.
2. Crush the beans with a rolling pin by pressing and rolling firmly; aim for coarse, sea salt-sized pieces.
3. Use a mortar and pestle for better control; grind in small batches with a circular pressing motion.
4. Try a meat tenderizer or mallet by gently pounding the beans between two layers of parchment paper.
5. Monitor the grind size frequently to avoid producing fine powder; ideal size is about 1 mm chunks.
6. Sift the grounds using a mesh strainer to separate larger chunks from fine particles.
7. Store in an airtight container and use immediately for best flavor in French press or cold brew recipes.

How to Store Coarse Ground Coffee?

Store coarse ground coffee in airtight containers like sealed glass jars or vacuum bags to keep out air and moisture. Keep it in a cool, dark place away from heat and light. Choose freshly roasted coffee for better oil and aroma—ideally roasted within two weeks. For bulk, use one-way valve packaging to release gas and block air. Use opened coffee within two weeks or freeze small portions in airtight containers to prevent freezer burn.

How to Brew Coarse Ground Coffee?

To brew coarse ground coffee effectively, follow these steps.

• Choose Fresh Coffee: Use freshly roasted coffee beans, ideally roasted recently. Beans roasted to order offer maximum freshness and better flavor extraction.
• Use the Correct Brewing Method: Use brewing techniques like the French press, cold brew, or pour-over, which suit coarse ground coffee. These methods enable longer steeping times, enhancing flavor without over-extraction.
• Measure the Coffee and Water Ratio: Apply a coffee-to-water ratio of 1:15. Use 15 grams of water for every gram of coffee, ensuring a balanced flavor.
• Heat the Water Appropriately: Heat water to between 200°F and 205°F. This range extracts optimal flavors without scorching the grounds.
• Steep for the Right Time: Steep coffee for about 4 minutes in a French press or 12 to 24 hours for cold brew. Correct steeping enhances flavor and aroma extraction.
• Filter and Serve: For a French press, press the plunger to separate the coffee from the grounds. For cold brew, use a fine mesh or coffee filter to strain. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

Can You Use Coarse Ground Coffee in an Espresso Machine?

Yes, technically you can use coarse ground coffee for espresso machines, but doing so is a bad idea. Espresso machines need fine coffee grounds to build pressure and extract properly. Coarse grinds cause fast water flow, leading to under-extraction and sour espresso without crema. Water bypasses coarse grounds, missing full flavor. Use fine grind, like salt, to slow flow and extract rich, full-bodied espresso.

Can You Use Coarse Ground Coffee in a Coffee Maker?

Yes, you can use coarse ground coffee in a coffee maker, but it works best in French press or cold brew systems. Standard drip coffee makers extract flavor poorly from coarse grounds. This results in weak or under-extracted coffee. Use medium grind for optimal drip coffee results.

How Is Coarse Ground Coffee Different from Other Grind Sizes?

Coarse ground coffee differs from other grind sizes due to its larger particles, which slow water flow during brewing. It’s ideal for full immersion brewing methods because it prevents over-extraction and creates a cleaner taste. Coffee grind size controls extraction speed. Finer grinds extract quickly and can cause bitterness, while coarser grinds slow extraction and reduce acidity. Using the wrong grind disrupts balance—too fine causes over-extraction and bitterness; too coarse leads to under-extraction and sourness.

The following table compares coarse, fine, and medium ground coffee by particle size, extraction rate, brewing methods, flavor and sediment, and freshness to show how grind size affects brewing and taste.

What is the Difference between Coarse and Fine Coffee?

The main difference between coarse and fine coffee is grind size. Coarse coffee has larger particles, ideal for slow brewing methods like French press. Fine coffee has smaller particles, suited for faster methods like espresso. Grind size affects flavor, extraction time, and texture in the final cup.

What is the Difference between Coarse and Medium Ground Coffee?

Coarse and medium ground coffee differ in particle size and compatible brewing methods. Coarse grounds suit French press or cold brew, while finer, medium grounds are for drip or pour-over coffee. The grind size impacts extraction time and flavor strength.

What Happens if Coffee Grind is Too Coarse?

If coffee grind is too coarse, water flows too fast and fails to extract enough flavor. You’ll notice this when your coffee tastes weak, sour, or watery due to low extraction of soluble compounds. Grind size changes coffee flavor—finer grinds increase surface area and extraction, while coarser grinds reduce both, risking under- or over-extraction. Fix under-extraction by grinding finer, brewing longer, or raising water temperature.