What Grind Size for a South Indian Filter?
A South Indian filter needs a fine to medium-fine grind. How to tell if yours is too fine or too coarse, and how to fix a slow or fast drip.
A South Indian filter needs a fine to medium-fine grind. It is finer than a French press and a little coarser than espresso. Get it right and the decoction drips in 15 to 20 minutes and tastes full. Get it wrong and the filter either clogs or runs through weak.
Too fine
Powder that is too fine packs into the filter and blocks the holes. Water sits on top for an hour, the decoction turns bitter and harsh, and you are tempted to press the disc, which makes it worse.
Too coarse
Coarse grounds let water run straight through in a few minutes. You get a thin, sour decoction with no body.
The right grind
It should feel like fine sand with a little grit, not like flour. In our grind list this is South Indian Filter, and it is the default on all our filter coffee powder.
Fix a slow or fast drip
- Too slow (over 25 minutes): the grind is too fine, or you pressed the disc down hard. Press it lightly or not at all next time.
- Too fast (under 10 minutes): the grind is too coarse, or you used too little powder. Use 2 to 3 tablespoons.
- Cloudy decoction: very fine particles are getting through. Pressing the disc less hard usually helps.
Grinding at home
If you buy whole beans, use a burr grinder on a fine setting, a little coarser than for a moka pot. A blade grinder gives uneven sizes and a bitter, patchy decoction.
Which grind should you pick when you order
Choose South Indian Filter for a steel filter. Choose Whole Beans only if you grind at home. For other brewers see the coffee grind size guide.
From ₹440
See all filter coffee powder, or the South Indian filter coffee powder page for the full brewing steps.