The Reading Room

Last week, I announced the arrival of my new espresso machine. Granted, the Espressione Squissita Plus doesn't rank up there with the Pavonis and Elektras and lovely high-end machines that others have managed to acquire, but it IS the first...

A hat tip to the UK Daily Mail for this Jimmy Kimmel video featuring his long-suffering security guard, Adelina. If you haven't seen it, it's an absolute must-watch. Take 4 minutes out of your Saturday morning to laugh. There are...

Kona coffee grows in one narrow strip on the Big Island of Hawaii. Limited supply and high production costs make it one of the world's most expensive coffees. But most products labeled "Kona blend" contain as little as 10% Kona. This guide covers what real Kona coffee is, why it costs what it does, and how to tell the difference.

Coffee tasting is the simple habit of noticing what is in your cup. How to smell, sip, and describe flavors, and how to build your palate.

After blogging about my espresso off of my new Elektra Karrde asked the excellent question about if there are not diminishing returns in espresso machines in terms of price and I replied that yes I thought there were and that...

Cold brew coffee is smooth, low in acid, and simple to make at home. The ratio, the steep time, and how it differs from iced coffee.

I wrote previously about needing to find a good decaf coffee due to my wife being pregnant, and due to one of those strange changes of taste from pregnancy she is disgusted by tea. Now while I have had previous...

Time for a report on coffee on the Elektra T1! Okay, I have posted a little bit about the T1 that Roaste helped me get, but I have not said much about the espresso.  This is because I know that...

A homemade mocha blends rich coffee, chocolate, and steamed milk. How to make one, the best coffee to use, and easy variations.

http://www.coffee-a-roma.com.au/shop/images/uploads/vario_burrs.jpg" height="390" width="332" />  I have blogged in the past on Roaste about the Baratza Vario and the problem that I have with it:  http://www.roaste.com/CoffeeBlogs/sontondaman/something-wrong-my-Vario  Basically, what happened was after a period of use (about six months) I notice that...

I am sure everyone that makes espresso at home probably has that one useless accessory that is just taking up valuable kitchen space or more importantly was just a waste of money. For me that one accessory without a question...

http://foter.com/img/photo/7/coffe-stains-5_l.jpg" class="foter-photo" style="display: block; width: 100%" /> Photo Credit: sotdina /Foter My mailbox has collected it's usual share of odd stories of coffee in the news, so I thought I'd share a few this morning. My personal favorite out of...

Coffee pairings turn a good cup into a whole experience. How to match coffee with food, the classic pairings, and pairing by roast level.

Coffee stimulates digestion through multiple mechanisms , caffeine, acidity, and compounds that trigger gastric acid. For most people this is harmless. For some it causes stomach upset, acid reflux, or bloating. Understanding why helps you adjust how and when you drink coffee without giving it up.

Making coffee at home costs a fraction of a coffee-shop habit. The real cost per cup, what you need, and how to make it taste great.

Old habits die hard. I have been in the habit for three years now of scanning Craig’s list nationally for good deals on espresso equipment.   It paid off once in particular with a Super Jolly grinder that was like new...

 Organic coffee is grown without synthetic pesticides or fertilizers. Here is what the USDA label means, what it does not cover, and whether it matters for flavor.

A while back I tried to make cold brew and the result was undrinkable. I know that some people swear by the results, and since then I’ve had the pleasure of drinking some good cold brew. So I decided last...

I have to admit that I do not normally take sugar or any other sweetener in my coffee most of the time. About the only time that I do sweeten my coffee is when I pour it over ice and...

 Choosing the right travel coffee mug comes down to 5 things: insulation, lid type, size, material, and ease of cleaning. Here is what to look for.

I believe it’s cathartic to discuss the silly things you’ve done with your coffee. We all make mistakes! The key is to laugh them off, learn from them, and humbly but fearlessly move on. In that spirit, here are a...