/glossary/burr-grinder

Burr Grinder

磨盘磨豆机

Grinding

Definition

A grinder that crushes beans between two hardened surfaces - flat discs or conical rings - held a fixed distance apart. Because the gap between the burrs sets particle size, it yields a narrow band of evenly sized grounds instead of the random mix of dust and chunks a spinning blade leaves. Nearly every espresso and pour-over recipe assumes burr-ground coffee, since repeatable extraction depends on repeatable particle size.

Etymology

From the Old English burr or bur, a rough edge or protrusion, first applied to the millstones of wind- and watermills; hand coffee mills kept the word when they adopted the same paired-plate design.

In use

A fixture of gear advice - 'buy a burr grinder before a better espresso machine' - because it is the upgrade that changes the cup most for the least money.