There’s nothing quite like the smell and taste of fresh-ground coffee to get you going in the morning. But what if you’ve invested in some really good coffee beans and then discovered that you can’t grind them in the food processor?
If you’re looking for a way to grind your coffee beans and don’t possess a grinder, you may have wondered if Starbucks will grind your coffee beans for you. Here’s what we found out.
Will Starbucks Grind My Coffee?
Starbucks will grind your coffee beans for free if you ask them, but there are some conditions. It must be a bag of Starbucks coffee beans, and it must be sealed and not expired when you hand it to the barista to grind. You can ask the barista to grind to your preferences or get the Starbucks universal grind.
You may have many more questions, such as what is the Starbucks universal grind, where else can you get your coffee beans ground, and if you should invest in a coffee grinder of your own. We did some research, and here’s what we found.
Can I Ask Starbucks To Grind My Coffee Beans?
The answer is fairly simple. Yes, Starbucks will grind your coffee beans for you, and they won’t charge you anything for it. But there are some conditions you must follow.
First, the coffee beans must be from Starbucks, even if you purchased them at another location, like a grocery store. Then, the bag of coffee beans must be sealed, and it must be within the expiry date.
You might feel that these conditions are somewhat unreasonable, but there are good reasons for all of these. It’s mostly because Starbucks must maintain the quality of the coffee they serve.
Let’s take a look at these conditions in detail.
Yes, Starbucks Will Grind Your Coffee, But There Are Conditions
Starbucks will use the same grinder for your coffee beans that they use for their own coffee beans, and inevitably some of the grounds and traces of oil from your coffee will be left behind. These remnants will get mixed in with the next batch of beans the baristas grind for store use.
That’s why Starbucks insists that they will only grind their own coffee beans for you. This way, they can be sure of the quality of the traces that are left behind in their grinders and that they will not change the taste of their universal grind.
Likewise, Starbucks will insist that any bag of beans you ask them to grind must be sealed. All coffee beans come packed in vacuum-sealed bags to preserve their freshness and avoid contamination.
A bag of coffee beans that has been opened will be exposed to air, which can affect the taste and flavor of the coffee beans. An opened bag can also contain other contaminants, which is why Starbucks insists that they will only grind beans from a sealed bag.
There’s one more condition: your sealed bag of coffee beans must not be past the expiry date. Each bag of coffee beans has a use-by date printed on it.
If your bag of coffee beans is past the use-by date, the taste may have changed and will contaminate the coffee that Starbucks will grind in the same grinder later.
What Grind Settings Does Starbucks Use?
Starbucks grinders have settings for several different ways of making coffee. You can ask them to grind your coffee beans for a French press, flat-bottom filter, cone filter, espresso, or Turkish coffee.
You can also ask for the Starbucks universal grind, which can be used for most types of coffee makers except espresso.
What Is Starbucks Universal Grind?
Starbucks universal grind is the type they use for making coffee in their stores, which they have developed for maximum taste and convenience.
The Starbucks universal grind is a good choice for you if you use several different methods of making coffee, such as French press and drip coffee makers.
It’s also a good choice if you’re just starting out and are not sure what type of grind you need.
Should I Buy My Own Coffee Grinder?
If you love the fresh, intense taste of newly ground coffee, you may be thinking of investing in a coffee grinder of your own. It’s a good idea, and it’s also a good idea to do some research first into the different types of grinders and which one is right for you.
A good place to begin your research is this very handy Starbucks guide to different types of coffee grinders, as well as the coffee grinds.
Where Can I Grind My Coffee Beans For Free?
If you’re not yet ready to invest in a grinder of your own and have your heart or taste buds set on a brand of coffee beans other than Starbucks, you can still get your coffee beans ground for free.
But it won’t be at a Starbucks. You can check out other giant retail stores like Costco and Walmart, which have do-it-yourself coffee grinders in the coffee section in many stores.
Unlike Starbucks, Costco and Walmart don’t have to worry about what brand and quality of beans you put in their grinders because they aren’t using the same grinders to make coffee to serve to the public.
So you can use their grinders for free for your coffee beans until you have your own coffee grinder at home.
To find out more, you can also see our posts on where Starbucks gets its coffee beans, how hot Starbucks coffee is, and if Starbucks baristas make tips.