Why Do Baristas Spray Water on Coffee Beans Before Grinding?

You have watched a guy spraying some liquid on coffee beans, What’s that? Well, It’s not vanilla extract that’s water. But Why?

Baristas spray water on coffee beans primarily to reduce static electricity created during grinding. When static builds up, coffee grounds stick to surfaces, and remain trapped inside the grinder. For coffee enthusiasts, this is a nightmare.

Static electricity also causes clumping in coffee grounds. These clumps make it difficult for water to pass through coffee evenly during brewing, which can lead to uneven extraction. By reducing static, baristas achieve a cleaner grind, less mess, and more accurate dosing because the same amount of coffee that goes into the grinder comes out.

You can clearly see that the grounds do not cling as much to the inside walls of the catch cup. This makes dosing into the portafilter easier. The grounds also do not stick as much inside the grinder, which helps with more accurate dosing because you get the same amount of coffee out that you put into the grinder.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. Does Spraying Water Affect Coffee Taste?

Ans. No, not at all. The amount of water used is very small and doesn’t change it’s taste.

Q2. Can You Use RDT for All Brewing Methods?

Ans. Yes, you can use RDT for all brewing methods because it’s a part of the grinding process, and coffee grounds are used in every method.

Q3. Do All Baristas Use This Method?

Ans. No. Not all baristas use RDT. It is more common among coffee enthusiasts and baristas who focus on clean grinding and precise dosing.

Q4. Any Alternative If I Don’t Have a Spray Bottle With Me?

Ans. Well, a spray bottle is apt for this, but if you don’t have one and you’re excited to test out this technique, then you can wet your finger/spoon and give a slow, gentle stir to the coffee beans or else you can use wet tissue and drop 3 drops of water.

Q5. Is It Safe to Spray Water on Coffee Beans?

Ans. Yes, as long as only a light mist is used. Using too much water can cause beans to stick and may lead to corrosive damage inside the grinder.

Q6. What Does RDT Mean?

Ans. Spraying water on coffee beans is called the Ross Droplet Technique (RDT). It simply means spraying a small amount of water on whole coffee beans before grinding.

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How Static Electricity is Formed on Coffee Grounds?

Inside every coffee grinder is a set of burrs. The burrs have sharp edges and are responsible for cutting and crushing the coffee beans. They sit very close to each other, and one of them spins very fast. When coffee beans are crushed and spun between the burrs, a lot of friction is created.

This intense friction causes a buildup of static electricity. The static electricity makes coffee grounds cling everywhere. The grounds stick to the inside walls of the catch cup and also get stuck inside the grinder.

How Much Water Should You Spray on Coffee Beans?

Only a very small amount of water is needed.

• 1 to 2 sprays
• Light mist, not soaking
• Only before grinding

Too much water can cause problems. A little moisture is great for reducing static mess and retention, but spraying too much can lead to issues.

Check this article: Is Organic Coffee Worth It or Just Marketing Hype?

How to Spray Water on Coffee Beans Properly (Step-by-Step)

Spraying on coffee beans is super easy, let me teach to step by step.

1. Take your beans on to your left hand (if lefty then vice-versa).
2. Take spray bottle on your right hand.
3. Spray it from a distance because we have to give mist once or twice, not make the beans wet.
4. Cover the bowl with your palm and give a gentle shake.
5. And grind immediately.

What Happens If You Spray Too Much Water?

Stop spraying your beans with too much water. A little bit of moisture is great for reducing static mess and retention, but you can spray too much, and it may cause problems.

1. Your beans can get stuck and may not feed properly into the grinder.
2. Too much moisture can also cause corrosive damage over time. So, do not spray too close to the beans. Give them some space. Think of it less as a spray and more as a mist. Try using a little less water, and you may find it works just as well.

All in All

People spray water on coffee beans to reduce static electricity created during grinding. This results in less mess, fewer clumps, and more accurate dosing. When done correctly with a light mist, the Ross Droplet Technique makes the grinding process cleaner without causing problems.

I hope you found this article helpful from others, if you have any issue then you can comment down, I will surely answer in the next 24 hours.