Fondsites Labs
Methodology
Coffee Grind Visual Baseline Method
A repeatable photo method for documenting grind changes before changing recipe variables.
Method goal
Create comparable grind photos so a recipe change can be tied to a visible adjustment instead of memory.
This page describes a method. It does not claim test results unless results are actually present.
What to measure or document
- Grinder model, setting, burr condition if known, and coffee roast date.
- Brew method, dose, water amount, brew time, and taste note.
- A same-light photo of a small grind sample on the same background.
Equipment needed
- Clean white or neutral card.
- Phone or camera held at the same distance each time.
- Small spoon or dosing cup.
- Notebook or coffee dial-in log.
Step-by-step method
- Place a small grind sample on the same background each time.
- Use the same lighting, camera distance, and angle.
- Photograph before brewing, then brew without changing another variable.
- Record taste and drawdown or shot time next to the photo.
- Compare only adjacent grind changes before making larger moves.
Data table template
| Date | Coffee | Method | Grinder setting | Photo ID | Brew time | Taste note | Next change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Common mistakes
- Changing grind and ratio together, then attributing the taste to grind alone.
- Photographing under different light or distance every time.
- Ignoring fines, clumps, and static when the visual sample changes.
Limitations
A photo does not measure particle distribution precisely.
Different grinders can look similar while extracting differently.
This page describes a method. It does not claim test results unless results are actually present.