The Reading Room

Coava DISK for the Aeropress
The Coava DISK is a perforated stainless steel filter designed to replace the paper filters for the Aeropress. The idea is that the paper filters (even after rinsing) may inpart a slight taste to the coffee as well as filter...
Coffee Ratio Guide: How Much Coffee Per Cup for Every Brew Method

The standard coffee ratio for most brewing methods is 1:15 to 1:17 , one gram of coffee for every 15 to 17 grams of water. But each brewing method has its own target. Espresso uses 1:2. Cold brew uses 1:4 to 1:8. French press uses 1:12 to 1:15. This guide gives you the correct coffee ratio for every method and explains how to adjust for stronger or weaker coffee without guessing.

Beware of Free Coffee Scam on Facebook
First it was Canada’s Tim Horton’s Coffee, and then Starbucks, but both were used to scam Facebook users into providing personal information. Writer Michael Woods of The Star posted that last week notices started appearing on Facebook offering free coffee....
Finer Pourover
The basics of pourover are well known. You can find some basic techniques on BrewMethods.comI thought that I'd write about some things that are not as well known.Pourover size. It's best to match the size of the pourover dripper with...
Vac Pot Coffee
I no longer use a vacuum pot--I prefer the quality and simplicity of pourover--but I understand its appeal. To get the most out of the unit with minimal fuss, here's how I would proceed. A nice upgrade is a two-part...
Current bean: Los Lobos
I'm currently drinking Los Lobos, a Costa Rican bean that was roasted by Barismo, a small-batch roaster located in Arlington, MA. They distribute to a number of cafes in the Boston area, such as Simons and Hi-Rise, and you can...
Do levers really take a finer grind?
Grinding for a lever.  I often read people who suggest that when grinding for a lever machine the key is to grind especially fine and tamp lightly.  I agree that on any machine lever or not you can get away...
Missing that one thing...
Blue Bottle, Blue Bottle, Blue Bottle, oh how the people adore you. I am very fortunate to live in the backyard of one of the biggest roasters in gourmet coffee, Blue Bottle. What I find so interesting about Blue Bottle...
The eagle has landed! the arrival of my first hand grinder!
After a long day of waiting, unexpectedly my Hario mini mill hand grinder has shown up today at my door step! Boy, it is going to be an exciting day! I'm planning to spend today to dial this grinder in...
Questioning the Idiosyncrasies of Coffee Making
Coffee brewing and the art of pulling espresso are both marked by curious methods, techniques, and rituals. Lately I've been questioning and revisiting some widely accepted coffee brewing practices that have worked their way into my morning ritual. First I'll start with...
Accidental glory – a blend of blends
Accidental glory – a blend of blends I have two really good coffees for espresso at home right now.  One is Velton’s Bonsai Blend and the other one is Klatch’s World Best Espresso blend.  Neither one is quite ready yet...
Coffee's Not Just For Drinking
Maybe it’s the cooling weather, but magazines are again picking up the idea that coffee in recipes not only packs health benefits, but added flavor. This is nothing new for CoffeeKind fans, as we had a very well-received recipe contest...
Caffe Pronto Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Kochere District - an interesting coffee.
Caffe Pronto Ethiopia Yirgacheffe Kochere District What I am drinking now might be a bit of a misnomer.  In some sense this is more what my wife is drinking now.  I drink much more espresso than brewed coffee, but my...
How Much does your Espresso shot weigh?
How Much does your Espresso shot weigh? If you are not weighing your shots then the correct answer is "I have no idea." A less correct answer is "I have no idea and I do not care."  Why should you care?...
What Is Gourmet Coffee? What the Term Actually Means

Gourmet coffee is a marketing term with no legal definition. Here is what the label actually means, what the specialty coffee grading system says instead, and what actually separates quality from mediocre.

He wishes he was this Clever
Now after I had made that last post about my not so clever dripper I figured that I needed to pick one of these up as I have wanted one for the longest time and people keep raving about them....
Pulled the trigger on the Hario Mini Mill
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31%2BmkPFvFIL._SL500_AA300_.jpg" style="width: 300px; height: 300px; float: left;" /> Finally after much contemplating and online forum research, I finally bought the Hario Mini Mill. From what I have been reading, people are reporting that this grinder is excellent companion to the...
A Realization over Outside Espresso
It’s been a long time since I’ve had coffee prepared anywhere except by me at my house. This morning, I had to make a long road trip to attend something for school and so I found myself away from all...
a break through with the Musica!
I have been using the Musica for a while; while I noticed that it is an excellent steamer and a very good looker (i.e mirror stainless steel body) it was not impressing me very much with in the espresso department...
What I am drinking now – Velton’s Bonsai blend.
What I am drinking now – Velton’s Bonsai blend. I just got my first bag of Velton’s Bonsai blend.  This post is an initial reaction to it.  I think there should be a big distinction between a blog post about...
Simpler times with the french press
Last night I found myself nostalgic for a time when there were no tracking of packages; I was anxiously waiting for my package of a Clever Dripper and Deep Cello coffee. The problem was in the morning UPS said it...