The Reading Room

And we are speaking of them when we’re discussing Nespresso, Tassimo, and the best of the lot, the Lavazza. However, there are other items that look like espresso machines, are called espresso machines, sometimes even function like espresso machines, and...

So you’re in a mood for a latte but too busy to go out to Starbucks (which is terrible anyway) so you think: “hey, maybe I’ll head over to the break room, see if this new-fangled Tassimo gadget will make me...

I love this little stand; it’s in Seattle and it is pretty close to the hotel where my girlfriend and I were staying when we went out to Seattle and Portland last summer. During the trip I got to go...

Well, since I have been on a roll with these reviews of super-automatic machines I think I might as well do a review of the six hundred pound gorilla in the marketplace: Keurig.  This company, with its ubiquitous K-Cups, seems...

So my office recently decided to add another capsule brewing system to the mix: a Tassimo T65 Cul brewer. It’s plumbed in (just like our Keurig) but it’s a little smaller. I’ve been using it for a few weeks now...

I was reading Barista Magazine today and they had a feature on MadCap Coffee barista/owner Trevor Corlett. One of the interesting items in the article is where he discusses what they call "Sunday Service" as his cafe. Basically what it entailed...

The Krups Gusto – a non review – just questions about evolving tastes, skills, and equipment. My first espresso machine ever was truly a humble one.  It cost $90 because I got it on sale and it was a “Krups...

Justin has been in Chicago consulting with a coffee shop there.  Now that he's back, he's been experimenting with a killer good El Salvadoran Blend that he's just been raving about.  Like a winemaker, Justin tastes all the component coffees...

Musings on primes and vips and guarantees. This is a post pondering the new changes to Roaste.  The introduction of the Roatse VIP club was covered in another blogger’s post linked belowhttp://www.roaste.com/CoffeeBlogs/jbviau/Changes-ROASTes-shipping-policies and I posted about a week ago about...

/files/u2252/front_mil2_0.jpg" width="198" height="250" align="right" />One of my favorite ways to enjoy coffee is brewing with a French press.  Who better than the French then to make the perfect French press hand grinder? I found a good deal on this press...

I mentioned in a previous blog post that I change my preparation method on the Aeropress based on what I’m making. For mocha or other milk based preparation I use the following method (Aeropresso) that gives me a full extraction...

/files/u2252/maestro.jpg" align="right" height="329" width="178" /> The Baratza Maestro was my first real grinder. Before the enlightening about what coffee could be I used ground coffee or stale beams ground up in my Krups blade grinder.  Once I understood some coffee...

Diesel Café is a fun and funky coffee shop in Davis Square in Somerville. Like a lot of Boston area coffee shops there is some expectation  that a café will be “trendy” and “unique” because Bostonians just don’t have any...

So I’ve seen a number of reviews by coffee snobs for this little machine. As it so happens, I have one! This morning, after failing to get a drinkable cup of coffee with my stovetop espresso machine I was rescued...

I’m starting to think that I need a more precise grinder. I love the Hario when it comes to French press but its absolutely killing me with the stovetop espresso maker. I have an off brand stovetop espresso maker (I...

/files/u5804/Batlle-SOE-PN-2011.jpg" height="175" width="250" /> This past Friday, I had the opportunity to attend a cupping of coffee producer extraordinaire Aida Battle’s 2011 Finca Mauritania processed three ways. As a coffee enthusiast without any formal training or access to firsthand info....

If you have been looking at the Baratza line of grinders for your next upgrade you probably have noticed the Preciso and the regular Virtuoso. You also may have notice that the two look almost identicle except that the Preciso...

Home roast envy I met a fellow coffee enthusiast today and I am bitter.  Why am I bitter?  It is because he was kind enough to bring me some of his home roast. Now you might think that means he...

I just got done reading the most recent news article here at ROASTe about the sustainabilty of coffee. It's really hard to be green and enjoy a few cups of coffee every morning as it took a very long trip...

When I was looking for an apartment in Pittsburgh I focused in on an area near campus called Shadyside. I decided to stop by this café on a whim; it was grey and raining and cold and I was just...

We are excited to introduce to our ROASTe audience, our amazing light roast, High Jump!   With our signature chocolate and carmel base, lemony citrus, and rich coffee flavor, it's a guaranteed winning shot of espresso or pour over.   In...