Why Do People Spray Coffee Beans with Water Before Grinding?

You might have seen someone spritz their coffee beans with water before grinding and thought, “What on earth are they doing?” But this little step, often called the Ross Droplet Technique or RDT, has actually become a popular trick among baristas and coffee lovers who want to get the most out of their brew (and keep their kitchen a bit tidier).

Let’s have a look at why this works, what it helps with, and whether it’s worth trying at home.

What Is the Ross Droplet Technique?

The Ross Droplet Technique involves spraying just a tiny bit of water on your whole coffee beans before grinding them. We’re talking one or two light mists from a spray bottle, not a soak. It might sound like an unnecessary extra step, but there’s a really good reason behind it: static electricity.

Why Static Is a Problem When Grinding Coffee

When coffee beans are ground, they can generate static. That static causes the fine coffee grounds to cling to everything—your grinder’s lid, the chute, the container, and often your hands and worktop. It makes a mess and can affect the consistency of your grind, especially if you’re trying to weigh and brew with accuracy.

A small spritz of water helps reduce the static, which means the grounds fall neatly into your container rather than flying all over the place. If you’ve ever spent longer cleaning up your grinder than actually enjoying your brew, this might be a game-changer.

Does It Affect the Flavour?

Not at all. The amount of water used is so minimal it won’t alter the flavour or quality of the beans. It also doesn’t start the brewing process early. As long as your coffee is fresh and high quality (like our Rainforest Sunshine or Midnight Canopy), the taste remains just as it should be.

In fact, using RDT can improve the consistency of your grind, which can actually help your coffee taste better.

How to Try It Yourself

It’s incredibly simple and doesn’t require anything fancy. All you need is a spray bottle and some clean water.

Here’s what to do:

Weigh out your whole beans as normal.
Give them a quick spray—just once or twice is enough.
Gently shake or stir the beans to distribute the moisture.
Grind as usual.

This technique works especially well if you’re using a single-dose grinder or brewing with lighter roasts that tend to produce more static.

Is It Worth Doing?

If you’re using fresh, speciality coffee and a decent grinder, the answer is yes. It won’t change the flavour, but it can improve your workflow and grind consistency. If you’re serious about your morning brew or just want to stop cleaning coffee dust off every surface, it’s worth giving a go.

It might seem like a small step, but sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference in the cup.