The Reading Room

Getting started with your espresso machine or a seasoned pro. Chef Steps offers some great advice with their Espresso Theory video.

Unfortunately, all good things must eventually come to an end, and summer is no exception to this rule. But before the cool autumn weather sets in, try this rich and indulgent cappuccino mousse recipe using strong espresso to kick the...

This deep espresso blend is full of rich, complex flavor, resulting in an unexpected treat for your taste buds. Espresso Dolce features a heavy red-gold crema with a sweet floral presence. This flavor is balanced with rich notes of chocolate...

There are many people who have strong opinions on this topic. Some prefer espresso, some prefer drip coffee, and others love them both! We’re going to explore the differences of these two types of coffee and let you be the...

This weeks go-to is The Heavy from Barefoot Coffee Roasters. This is a Central American blend, Direct Trade certified, with a medium to dark profile. The tasting notes found in this particular blend of coffee are deep, dark, and chocolatey,...

Everyone enjoys that first cup of coffee in the morning, but what brewing method gives you your perfect cup? There are many different brewing methods to try before finding this out. But what are the advantages to each unique method?...

In the coffee community, there is never a shortage of variety or of risk-takers who like to break free from their typical routine every once in a while. Are you looking for a new coffee drink to test out this...

Have you taken a good look at the label on your coffee lately? Today’s specialty coffee roasters are especially proud of the coffees they offer. Most work hard to source coffees that meet specific standards – coffees that are grown...

Katsuyuki Tanaka, barista and owner of Bear Pond Espresso in Setagaya, Tokyo gives an inside look on his classic style of espresso. Subscribe to our mailing list * indicates required Email Address * First Name Last Name    

Did You Know? Espresso vs. Drip Coffee:   There is a great deal of common misconceptions out there when it comes to understanding the delicious and complex beverage we have all come to love, espresso. Some believe that espresso is...

Espresso, latte, cappuccino, macchiato -- they're pretty standard fare in most U.S. specialty coffee shops, but they're just the crema on the espresso, to coin a phrase. If you're ready to expand your espresso repertoire, check out these 10 lesser-known...

      Among the most exciting parts of the SCAA's big Event are the multiple competitions for a national title in the U.S. Coffee Championships. Over the course of the week, baristas and roasters compete in any of five...

      So you've done all the research, thought long and hard and massaged your budget just so until it agreed that you can afford that spectacular espresso machine you want. Of course, there's more to making excellent espresso...

      Yesterday, we talked about the importance of getting the temperature right for great coffee. Before we talk about troubleshooting your coffee temperature, let's do a quick recap on what we know about coffee and brewing temperature.  ...

      One of the questions we hear a lot is "what's the right temperature for brewing coffee?" Depending who you ask, you'll hear an assortment of ranges cited as the "perfect brewing temperature." Before we get there, though,...

What will you be doing this weekend? We know that we'll be spending part of the weekend watching #bigwestern on Twitter for updates on the Big Western Regional Barista Championship. The event is one of the regional qualifiers for the...

      Cafe au Lait Pots de Creme with Meringue Topping Recipe from: Coffee Kind Whether you're looking for a special indulgence to reward yourself for a job well done or need a fabulous ending for a company dinner,...

    If you've been following along in our coffee grinder series, you've learned why your coffee grinder matters, how to choose a coffee grinder and what your grind should look like for different brew methods. Now, let's talk about...

      In the first part of our coffee grinder overview, we talked about why you need a high quality coffee grinder to make a great cup of coffee. Now that you understand what makes the coffee grinder so...

      Today is the day that the world celebrates the chocolate-hazelnut goodness that is Nutella. We figure chocolate tastes good with coffee. Hazelnut tastes good with coffee. Nutella is bound to taste good with coffee. These moist, choco-nutty...

There are a lot of selling points to the Gaggia Classic espresso machine, but one of the big ones is being able to adjust the pressure at which the espresso is brewed at. That is a big deal because most...