{"id":1794,"date":"2024-06-11T09:41:56","date_gmt":"2024-06-11T07:41:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.coffee-spirit.maxicoffee.com\/article\/what-to-do-with-your-used-coffee-grounds\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T15:02:16","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T13:02:16","slug":"what-to-do-with-your-used-coffee-grounds","status":"publish","type":"article","link":"https:\/\/www.coffee-spirit.maxicoffee.com\/en-gb\/article\/what-to-do-with-your-used-coffee-grounds\/","title":{"rendered":"What to do with your coffee grounds?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What are coffee grounds?<\/h2>\n

\"What<\/p>\n

Coffee grounds are the solid, granular residue left over after coffee preparation. If you use a coffee machine, the spent coffee grounds will be compacted into cakes.<\/p>\n

The antioxidant<\/a>, anti-inflammatory<\/a>, and antiviral properties of coffee grounds, thanks to their caffeine and phenolic compounds, make them beneficial for skin and hair. Caffeine boosts blood flow, giving a firmer, more radiant appearance. Environmentally, recycling spent coffee grounds reduces waste and limits chemical use.<\/p>\n\n <\/section>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Using your coffee grounds in the garden and soil<\/h2>\n

Coffee grounds as a compost activator<\/h3>\n

Many of you compost coffee<\/a> leftovers after grinding them with your peelings. But did you know that coffee grounds are also an excellent compost activator? Worms are particularly fond of them.<\/p>\n

Coffee grounds help worms digest more effectively. Sensitive to caffeine, they’re more active in transforming organic matter into rich compost. Don’t hesitate to add your coffee grounds to your compost heap or bin \u2014 they act as an excellent soil improver when mixed with other organic material, helping to aerate heavy soils and improve drainage. That said, coffee grounds are not a balanced fertiliser on their own: think of them as a nitrogen-rich supplement to be used alongside other organic matter, rather than a standalone feed.<\/p>\n

\"coffee<\/p>\n

Coffee grounds as plant food and fertiliser<\/h3>\n

Adding used coffee grounds to your acid-loving plants makes a perfect garden fertiliser. Used grounds contain around 1\u20132% nitrogen by weight, along with phosphorus, potassium, and trace minerals like magnesium and calcium \u2014 making them a genuine slow-release plant food.<\/p>\n

One important note on acidity: after brewing, used grounds sit at a nearly neutral pH of 6.5\u20136.8. They won’t dramatically acidify your soil, but their nutrients and organic matter benefit acid-loving plants such as roses, azaleas, hydrangeas, and blueberries when applied correctly.<\/p>\n

Application tips:<\/strong><\/p>\n