How to Make Whole Bean Coffee Without Grinding It

Did you know that you don’t HAVE to grind your coffee beans in order to make a good cup of coffee? Brewing your coffee from whole beans is actually an effective way to make a rich and flavorful cup of coffee with unground beans. And learning how to make whole bean coffee without grinder isn’t a hard process. All it takes is some time (about an hour), a glass jar (like a Mason jar), a measuring cup, a small strainer, a pot that’s large enough to hold the glass jar, and a way to heat water. And, of course, your whole beans and some water. 

The main downside of this method is that it takes time. If you’re the type of person who needs your first cup of coffee before you do anything else in the morning, this might not be your go-to method.

However, it can be a great way to brew your whole beans without a grinder if you’re camping or if your grinder busts without notice. And if you don’t have a burr grinder that creates a consistent coffee grind size, using the whole beans can actually be a better option for more consistent size and possibly a less bitter cup of coffee.

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Can You Make Whole Bean Coffee Without a Coffee Grinder?

Yes, you can actually brew coffee from whole coffee beans. You don’t NEED a grinder at all. However, it does take significantly longer (about an hour) to brew coffee using whole beans. This is because the surface area of the whole beans is larger than that of ground coffee.

All you need for this simple brewing method are some common kitchen tools, quality whole-bean coffee, water, and a heat source.

Benefits of Brewing Whole Bean Coffee

• No grinder necessary. The main benefit of brewing whole bean coffee is that you can still use fresh, whole beans without having to worry about having a grinder on hand. This can be a great option when you don’t have access to an electric grinder. And even manual grinders aren’t always convenient.
• Better taste than pre-ground coffee. Whole beans tend to have a superior taste compared to pre-ground coffee. Pre-ground coffee has had more surface area exposed, so the flavor of the coffee degrades much more quickly. 
• Preservation of freshness. But on top of using whole beans in the first place, keeping them whole can also cut down on possible deterioration of the beans as they’re exposed to the air. Grinding beans speeds up the oxidation process, causing them to be less fresh. In addition, the heat from the grinder can also negatively impact the flavor.
• Avoid the uneven grind. Lastly, if you don’t have a good quality burr grinder, you’re likely to be getting an uneven grind anyway. This can produce a bitter taste during the brewing process. When you avoid grinding the beans altogether, you don’t have to worry about whether you’re getting a consistent grind or not.

Downsides of Making Coffee With Whole Beans

• It takes longer. The main downside of this brewing method is that it takes a lot longer than any normal brewing method. You’ll need a little more than an hour to make your coffee, by the time you measure out your beans, boil water, and then simmer the jar in your saucepan for about an hour. But if you like doing things with less equipment, you might really enjoy using this slower process to produce a great cup of coffee.
• You’ll need electricity or propane to heat your water. This method can be a good way to make a cup of coffee if you don’t have electricity, but remember that you’ll still need a way to initially boil your water and then keep your saucepan on a low simmer for an hour. A propane stove or burner works well! 
• It uses more beans. The other downside of this method is that the amount of coffee beans you’ll need is pretty substantial compared with what you’d normally use in a regular drip coffee maker (or any other type ground coffee brew methods, really!). We use 1/4 cup of beans to 1 cup of water, which gives you about 1 cup of coffee in the end.

What You’ll Need to Make Whole Bean Coffee Without a Grinder

• 1-pint Mason jar
• Measuring cup
• Saucepan
• Strainer
• Spoon
• Mug
• Whole coffee beans
• Water

How to Make Whole Bean Coffee Without Grinding

Here’s how you can brew coffee with whole beans to get a delicious cup of coffee with no grinder involved!

1. First, measure out your beans. We use 1/4 cup of coffee beans – or a little over half an ounce – to 1 cup of water. Add your whole beans to a Mason jar. (A pint jar is a good size.)
   
2. Next, heat up some water to boiling. Then, pour one cup of water into the jar over the fresh beans.
   
3. Place your jar into a saucepan. You’ll need a pot that’s tall enough to get the water level up to the same height as the water inside of your jar. Once the saucepan is filled with enough water to match the height of the water in your jar, start heating it up to a simmer. 
   
4. Keep the water at a very low simmer for about an hour, stirring your beans around occasionally. Tip: We have noticed that the amount of time it takes can vary some based on your beans. At around 30 minutes, start checking your beans, and keep checking every 5-10 minutes. When you start to smell that freshly-brewed coffee scent, it’s about ready. Don’t be afraid to take it off sooner than an hour.
5. Strain the liquid out of the jar and into a mug. Here’s how it looks just before straining:
   
6. Enjoy! 

How to Grind Whole Bean Coffee Without a Grinder

If you find yourself with some whole beans and no coffee grinder, brewing your coffee beans whole isn’t your only option. There are also a handful of different ways that you can easily grind beans at home using common kitchen tools.

Common tools you can use for grinding or crushing your own beans at home include:

• Rolling pin
• Blender
• Food processor
• Mortar and pestle
• Broad side of a knife

The main issue with these methods is that it’s really tough (if not impossible) to get a consistent grind, which can lead to a less than perfect cup of coffee. There are different techniques you can use with each of these methods to get the best results possible, though. 

(If you’re going to try DIY coffee grinding, check out our blog post about how to grind whole beans without a coffee grinder for more in-depth instructions on each of these methods.)

Most people choose whole beans because they’re fresher than pre-ground beans and produce better cups of coffee. However, another good in-between option is to grind your whole beans at the grocery store. Many stores have complimentary grinders available for use so you can just grind your bag of coffee on the spot. And they’re usually high-quality grinders that give you the option of choosing a fine grind, medium grind, or course grind.

Although you won’t get the freshest coffee grounds possible grinding at the store (versus grinding in small amounts at home right before brewing), it’s still usually fresher to go this route than to buy pre-ground coffee off the shelf that was probably ground weeks or months ago.

And for best results, don’t forget to store your fresh coffee grounds in an airtight container.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does whole bean coffee taste like? 

Brewing whole beans in hot water has a bit of a different taste than the regular method of grinding your coffee beans and then brewing them. It’s been described as more acidic, smooth, intense, and even “a totally different flavor”. 

Some coffee drinkers think that this is the ideal way to enjoy coffee. Personally, we usually prefer the taste of grinding our beans first, but this is a great way to make a pretty good cup of coffee in a pinch! 

How long does it take to make whole bean coffee?

It takes about an hour to brew coffee on the stovetop using whole beans. However, you should also make use of the “smell test” to help you decide when your coffee is ready. When you start to smell that rich, coffee-like flavor, you’re probably there! 

Is it hard to make whole bean coffee on the stovetop?

Although this method is somewhat time consuming, it’s really not any harder than making a cup of tea. Once you get your beans in the jar and your water simmering, it’s a pretty hands-off process. You can easily let your coffee simmer while you’re cooking or hanging out nearby. 

Is grinding your own coffee cheaper?

Buying whole bean coffee and grinding it yourself is usually a little bit more expensive than buying pre-ground beans. This is mainly because whole bean coffee is often a higher quality than pre-ground. You also have to take into account the cost of a grinder if you’re going to buy whole beans.

We love the freshness and taste of whole bean coffee, and thankfully we’ve found some ways to save money while grinding our own coffee. We’ve also found some great deals on quality, single-origin whole bean coffee at stores like Costco and Aldi. 

Can you make coffee without a coffee maker?

If you don’t have a coffee maker, there are still plenty of brewing options! You can make whole bean coffee on the stove, or you can use a french press or pour over set if you have ground beans (or a way to grind them).

What’s the best type of coffee grinder?

A conical burr grinder is commonly known as the best type of grinder for getting a consistent grind size. You can also adjust the size of the grind for different methods of brewing.

If you’re not ready to spend $100 or so on a burr grinder, you can also go with a blade grinder or manual grinder. These options can both be relatively inexpensive, starting at around $15-$20. 

Blade grinders are super convenient and quick to use. The downsides are that they’re not quiet, the blade causes inconsistent grind size, and the heat generated by the blade can also affect the taste of the coffee.

Manual grinders are really handy when you don’t have electricity or want something quieter. The main downside of manual grinders is that they can be time consuming to use. 

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