I have been thinking a little bit about extraction times ever since making a mildly unpleasent pot of coffee last week. The pot of coffee was mildly over-extracted, I had forgot to adjust the grind on my grinder going from a...
I’ve always been someone who enjoys scents. To the point where I’ll read about the chemical basis of one’s sense of smell in my spare time—speaking of, Chandler Burr’s “The Emperor of Scent” is highly recommended—and occasionally challenge myself and...
It is super hot here today in Chicago with the temperature reaching way above ninety degree Farenheit! I was not in the mood for espresso today as I did not want to turn on the espresso machine and place more...
I usually make coffee twice a day. I have coffee with breakfast and then after dinner. On weekends I might have one after lunch too if I'm at home. This usually gets me through a bag of coffee in a...
Mocha Java is the oldest known coffee blend. Traditionally, Mocha--a coffee from what is today Yemen--is cut with a coffee from Java. The goal was and still is a gestalt between the fruit-forward berriness of the Mocha and the bodacious...
I'd like to introduce you to a new series of posts, in which I talk about my latest successful coffee discovery. What's new about that? These posts will be subject to those happy moments when I think I've hit upon my own personal nirvana,...
This video has been out there for almost two months now, but I just happened to come across it yesterday and thought that I would share. It's part of a video series highlighting different people/businesses in various cities that are...
Sumatran coffees are sometimes naturally processed, sometimes aged, but are most often encounted in semi-washed form. The paper surrounding the seed is left on, and both are allowed to dry somewhat. Once done, the seed turns a unique shade of...
Making coffee with a French Press and Hario Mini Mill Hand grinder This is the video I took a while ago of showing how I make press coffee with a classic Bodum french press. The coffee was ground on a...
Now that the weather is finally cooperating, I get to have my morning coffee at the outdoor office -- something that delight me to no end. I'm surrounded by plants that started in my grandmother's garden over 50 years ago...
When I used to drink a lot of french press coffee the sludge at the bottom of my mug was more of an annoyance than anything else. A grinder that was a poor performer at coarse grind settings or a...
I got the Vibiemme Junior HX three months ago from saving up a massive amount of ebeans, and the people at Roaste allowing me to receive them from these blog posts.So now after three months time with this espresso machine...
David Lebovitz was a pasty chef under Alice Waters, and has written a number of entertaining and informative food books. He also maintains an excellent eponymous blog. One of his more popular books is "The Perfect Scoop," which has recipes...
Coava is a high-quality roasterie located in Portland, OR. In a city known for its coffee culture, Coava stands out for its quick ascendancy to respectability. Its baristas have done very well in barista competitions, their coffees have been highly...
Thankfully I got in my order from PT's yesterday and I got the Burundi that is featured on the front of the website right now, along with their Flying Monkey Espresso. I have yet to take a taste of the...
Well, look what we have here! Yesterday was a good day for coffee-related mail. First, a fresh batch of AJ’s Finca Santa Clara arrived. It smelled great even before I cracked the bag (took a hit from the one-way valve),...
I enjoy drip coffee year round. It's nice on a frosty fall morning and it's nice looking out over the ocean in a tropical location. Sometimes, when it's hot and humid out it's just too unpleasant to sweat through an...
There are passionate folks who believe in re-capturing old-school production methods. Often, these folks work in clothing. Raw denim sewn on ancient looms, articles stained with obscure dyes, hefty cotton enlisted in the service of the perfect T-shirt. American Coffee...
I can't say that I entertain very frequently, but when I do, L'Anna (my espresso machine) quickly grabs everyone's attention. People like shiny things and L'Anna is especially chromed out. These days, it's also very different to walk into someone's...
I have yet to own a single espresso machine with the ability to control brew temperatures. For once, I'd like to have that option. I would like to know that what I'm producing from my espresso machine's boiler to my demitasse is...
