The Reading Room

What's wowing you?
I have had a lot of good coffee lately between the new lot of coffees that I have gotten from Mtn. Air Roasting Company and all of the others. And I have found that the amount of bad coffee that...
The West Bean's Honduras Capucas
The West Bean is a micro-roaster located in San Diego, CA, that in a sense aligns itself more with the older- than the newer-school West Coast roasters. More like old-time Peet's or Starbucks than Ritual or Four Barrel. That is,...
Bypass Brewing
Bypass brewing is when part of the brewing water does not go through the coffee itself. The technique should be familiar to anyone who has ever owned an Aeropress, since the included instructions describe the process: one brews a concentrate...
Espresso Vivace: needing some Advice!
  I'm pretty excited for my next coffee order from Coffee Kind to arrive. Although I have heard so much about Espresso Vivace Roasteria I have never actually get to try them before.  However, since it is offered here on...
Tonx Colombia Piramide Reserva
Tonx Coffee is headed by a couple of long-time coffee professionals. They're currently based in Los Angeles, and their goal is to locate small lots of very good coffee, quickly construct a good roast profile, and ship the beans out...
Can You Get Decent Frothed Milk Manually?
I find myself temporarily without a steamer - now that the espresso maker is back, the steamer has decided to lose its seal. Until I find a way to replace the gasket, I'm without my usual indulgence -- cappuccino. Or...
Iced Pour Over Coffee: 5-Step Japanese Method

Iced pour over coffee uses the Japanese method , brew a hot concentrate directly over ice. The ice chills and dilutes in one step. Here is the exact ratio and 5-step process that produces a clean, cold cup without watering it down.

Siphon brew
So my coffee siphon has been collecting dust for the last six months or so but last night I thought I'd bring it back out for swing at the Ethiopia Kochere from Madcap. I really enjoy using the siphon it's...
Fair Trade coffee in context
Given the amount of discussion that Fair Trade certification seems to generate, I would have thought Fair Trade coffees were more, well, “traded.” However, a study I read recently makes Fair Trade look like a drop in the ocean (forget...
Most creative affogato ever? Portola contends for the title with its Wafflegato
Every once in a while I’ll order an affogato. The last few have been at a great gelato shop called Pitango just a few steps from the Baltimore Harbor in Fells Point. I’m stuck in a delicious rut: cardamom gelato...
Mtn. Air Guatemala
Mountain Air Roasting is a small-batch roaster located in Asheville, North Carolina. They offer a quality product at a nice price point. In fact, if you order a six-pack of their beans, the price per bag is only a little...
Unboxing the Bunn Trifecta MB
It's been three weeks since my Trifecta MB arrived, and I'm familiar enough now with this machine's features, usability, and effectiveness to start making review posts. How about some unboxing pictures first, though? The Trifecta arrived double-boxed. That “delicate electrical...
Heads up: WBC 2012 starts 6/12!
I know I mentioned this last week, but here's another reminder. The fun begins tomorrow (6/12)! I'll try to make time to watch Counter Culture's Katie Carguilo at least; her set-up starts at 9:36 a.m. EDT, and her "performance" goes...
Ethiopia Kochere-Three ways
This was my first experience with Madcap Coffee and I have to say I'll definitely try another. Ever since I had the Idido Natural Sundried from Counter Culture I've been in search of those great Ethiopian flavors that tasted so...
W&S you are cruel!
I am of course referring to Williams and Sonoma, when it comes to coffee they are a very cruel cruel dispicable place. If you don't know Williams and Somona is a kitchen supply store, and carrying a wide variety of...
PT's Bolivia - Juan Yujra
I'm ready to say that PT's is my favorite ROASTe roaster. If Ecco were still offered, my answer would be different, but of those roasters currently offered, PT's delights me most. I've ordered "light" roasts from them, but they seem...
Coffee Affogato Recipe: 4 Ingredients, 5 Minutes

A coffee affogato is a double espresso shot poured over vanilla gelato or ice cream. It takes 5 minutes and 4 ingredients. Here is the classic recipe plus 4 variations and tips for getting the espresso-to-gelato balance right.

How to Find a Great Coffee Roaster: 5 Things to Look for Before You Buy

 Most coffee roasters sell good coffee. Finding a great one requires knowing what to look for. Here are the 5 questions worth asking before you commit to a bag.

Let share some interesting video: can you make nice looking latte without espresso machine?
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Free trial alert: Tonx is at it again
If you missed out earlier or were ever on the fence re: this coffee subscription program, now's your chance to try before you buy. Tonx has another free trial offer going currently--I'm guessing for a limited time. It's the "just...
Coffee Grinder Cleaning: 5-Step Guide for Burr Grinders

Coffee grinder cleaning removes the rancid oils that contaminate every fresh batch you grind. A burr grinder should be cleaned every 2 to 4 weeks. Here is the 5-step process for both electric and hand burr grinders.