I remember my young days as a barista, partaking in endless conversations about coffee: the taste, the aromas, the nuances, the different qualities of beans, etc.

Inevitably, at some point in the conversation a customer would break out the line that always puzzled me. The way this line is said is reminiscent of a snotty lady, holding her nose up in sophistication and intelligence: "Yes, but I grind my own coffee beans."

Great. Good for you, but that doesn't really tell me much. Grinding freshly-roasted beans moments before you brew your coffee is very important. So, I guess the question is: What part does grinding coffee play for your fresh brew at home?

A very big role. In fact, grinding your coffee at home can have a very negative effect on your coffee if it's not done correctly. So, let's take a look at the important features.

Consistency

One key feature in a good grinder is that the grounds it produces are very consistent in size from one to the next. There will, of course, be some variation. Too much, however, will leave you wanting. You want a grinder that is very consistent in quality.

Blade type

Many people who grind their own beans at home are subjecting their beans to ruthless torture via the whirly-blade grinder. You know the kind. You put beans into what looks like an airplane propeller, place the cap on top, and fire the engine up.

These people also recommend shaking it up and down a little while grinding, and to grind longer for very fine grind.

No need to hang your head in shame, oh guilty one. But there are better options. If you take the grinds out and spread them on a paper plate, it's very telling as to the wide range in particle size.

Burr grinder

As a better option to the jet propeller, you can opt for a burr grinder. The beans sit on top of the grinder in a hopper. As you grind, the beans fall down between two burrs, or blades. The bean passes through once, being ground according to the size you determine. No shaking of grinder necessary.

That being said, there is quite a difference in quality. If you are willing to dish out a little extra money in order to have a good grinder, that will cost you very little in maintenance the rest of your life -- you may want to take into account what I consider to be one of the best home grinders on the market: Baratza.

They have three models ranging in price from $115 (Baratza Maestro) to $199 (Baratza Virtuoso). These can be purchased at Baratza's website (www.baratza.com) or from a home coffee roasting website: (www.sweetmarias.com/prod.electricmills.shtml).

What makes this grinder so good? It does a great job at shaving the coffee bean into many consistently-sized grounds. It doesn't produce the dust like the cheaper grinders do, and it lasts.

Most people can't believe the difference in taste that a good-quality grinder can provide. I've had one for 6 years with no problems. There are many other qualified grinders on the market, but the Baratza brand has proven itself to be one of the best.