Coffee and Spice Grinder Guide: Fresh Coffee and Curry Powder at Home

Fresh curry powder and freshly ground coffee taste noticeably better than pre-ground packets, and a small electric grinder does the job in seconds. This guide explains what a 300W coffee and spice grinder can and cannot do, compares the two Greenlife models, and shows how to get an even grind.

What can a coffee and spice grinder do?

It dry-grinds small batches: coffee beans, pepper, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, cumin and roasted curry powder spices. It is not for wet grinding. For chutneys, batters and wet pastes you need a mixer grinder, such as the GreenChef Focal 600W with three jars.

Which Greenlife grinder should you buy?

Choose the single grinder if you only grind dry spices and coffee. Choose the 2-in-1 if you also want smoothies and juice from the same base.

How do you get a fine or coarse grind?

Both grinders work in short pulses. Short bursts give a coarse grind, longer bursts a fine powder. For coffee, grind coarser for a plunger and finer for a moka pot. For curry powder, roast the spices, let them cool fully, then grind in two or three short runs, shaking between them for an even result.

How do you make fresh roasted curry powder?

• Dry-roast coriander, cumin, fennel, a stick of cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, a few curry leaves and dried red chilli in a pan over low heat, stirring until fragrant and a shade darker.
• Spread them on a plate and let them cool completely; warm spices clump and stick to the jar.
• Grind in small batches, filling the jar no more than about two thirds, in short pulses.
• Sift if you want it very fine and regrind what stays in the sieve.
• Store in a dry, airtight glass jar away from the stove and use within a few weeks for the best aroma.

Grinding just what you need each week keeps the flavour bright, which is the whole point of grinding at home.

Is a grinder better than a mortar and pestle?

Faster and more even, yes. A miris gala still has its place for small amounts of fresh, wet pastes. Our spice grinder vs mortar and pestle comparison covers when each one wins.

How much coffee should you grind?

Grind just before you brew. Ground coffee loses its aroma within days, while whole beans keep for weeks in an airtight jar. As a starting point, use one heaped tablespoon of beans per cup and adjust to taste. Sri Lankan and Indian estate beans, roasted locally, grind well in a 300W blade grinder for a plunger, a moka pot or a simple pour-over.

How do you clean a spice grinder?

• Unplug it and wipe the jar and blades with a dry cloth or brush after each use.
• To clear strong smells such as cloves before grinding coffee, grind a spoon of uncooked rice and throw it away.
• Do not put the motor base in water.
• Keep a separate grinder for coffee if you grind a lot of chilli, so flavours do not mix.

Is it safe to use?

Yes, with sensible care. The Greenlife Coffee and Spice Grinder runs only when the lid is locked in place, and the 2-in-1 runs only while the button is pressed. Let the motor rest between long runs.