Will Starbucks Grind My Coffee Beans? (There’s A Catch)

Starbucks is everywhere. If you have an unopened bag of fresh coffee beans, you might wonder if Starbucks would grind them for you. They do have amazing grinders that’ll get the job done in a jiffy. So…

Will Starbucks grind my coffee? Starbucks will grind your unopened bag of coffee beans for free if they are from Starbucks. They will not grind other branded coffee beans or air-exposed coffee beans. Starbucks offers 4 grind settings namely Coffee Press, Pour Over, Coffee Brewer, and Espresso. Turkish and Universal grind sizes will be done on request.

Let’s discuss this in more detail.

Grinding Coffee At Starbucks

Yay, Starbucks will grind your coffee. For free!

But, as our title says, there is a catch.

You can’t take any coffee beans and get them ground at Starbucks. They will only grind their branded coffee beans. So if you have a bag of coffee beans from other brands, then you’re out of luck.

Another catch is that your coffee bean bag must be sealed. 

If you have opened your bag of coffee beans, then Starbucks will not grind them for you. This is because beans exposed to air are prone to contamination.

Starbucks will not grind contaminated beans as it might affect its coffee grinder and result in an inferior product.   

You also won’t be able to grind your coffee beans at Starbucks if they are expired. Expired beans might let out oils or contaminate their grinders. So Starbucks will check the expiry and brand of your beans before they grind them. 

Note: Although Starbucks grinds your coffee beans for free, be kind and tip the barista who’s doing the grind. They’ll appreciate it and that’ll make your day better.

Related Read: Can You Grind Your Coffee Beans in a Blender?

Selecting The Right Coffee Grind

You now know that Starbucks will grind your coffee beans for you.

Now comes the next challenge, which is the right grind size for you?

This depends on the brewing method you practice.

Here’s a table that explains the grind options Starbucks offers.

Grind TypeBrewing Method
Coffee PressFrench Press, Cold Brew
Pour-overPour-over, Drip
Coffee BrewerHousehold Cofee Maker
EspressoEspresso
TurkishTurkish Coffee

Starbucks also has a universal grind which a good choice for those who aren’t sure what the right grind is for them. It’s also a good pick if you use more than one brewing method.

The universal grind is not perfect, but it gets the job done. When you get Starbucks coffee from grocery stores, this is the grind you’re getting unless mentioned otherwise.

Knowing what you want will come in handy. If you have a French press at home, then you’re going to need a coarser grind. If you have an Espresso machine(!), then a fine grind will do.

More than anything, getting a consistent grind is essential for the flavor of your brewed coffee.

Why Starbucks Doesn’t Grind Other Branded Coffee Beans?

While it might seem like a ploy to make you buy more Starbucks coffee beans, there solid reasoning behind this decision.

Starbucks has a reputation and anything that comes out of its shop must be quality. One can buy coffee beans from a thousand sources, and Starbucks doesn’t know about the quality of those coffee beans.

Say, they grind you some local coffee store beans, and, for some reason, you’re not in love with the coffee, you’re going to say the Starbucks didn’t grind the beans right.

There are many factors when it comes to making a good coffee like the bean type, the roasting process, the grinding process, and the brewing process. 

Without taking other aspects, the consumer might blame Starbucks for not delivering the right grind. This is why Starbucks is trying to avoid as a reputable company, and that’s understandable.

Another problem with other brands of coffee beans is that Starbucks doesn’t know anything about them. There is no quality assurance and grinding them in their grinder might cause some serious physical and financial damage.

Related Read: What Coffee Does Starbucks Use for Lattes?

Does Starbucks Grind Coffee From Costco?

If the coffee beans you buy at Costco are from Starbucks, then Starbucks will grind them for you. But if the coffee beans are from another brand, then you’re not getting your beans ground at Starbucks.

If you’re stuck with non-Starbucks brand coffee beans, then you might have better luck with a local grinder. Most coffee stores, and some grocery stores, will have grinders and they will help in grinding beans for a small charge. 

Will Starbucks Grind My Coffee – Closing Thoughts!

People love the way Starbucks does coffee. It’s just great coffee.

That’s the main reason a lot of people buy coffee beans from Starbucks, thinking they can recreate the magic at the comfort of their homes with freshly ground coffee.

With coffee beans, grinding them like Starbucks is crucial in replicating the taste. Starbucks has done its patrons a huge service by grinding the beans for free. 

If you know the grind you need, you’re going to make a pretty good cup of coffee that just like the one you’ll get at Starbucks.

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Is It Cheaper To Grind Your Own Beans?

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