The Reading Room

Costa Rican Coffee Solves Identity Crisis
Coffee from Costa Rica just received a self-identity seal that sets it apart from ordinary coffee, as it lifts it to the category of “prestige” coffee. The seal, in the form of a geographic identity, will certify that the coffee...
Piao-I Coffee Brewer: A Clever Manual Brewing Tool

The Piao-I coffee brewer combines immersion brewing with a built-in release system. Learn how it works and why it remains an interesting brewing tool.

the basic types of espresso machines
There are a number of ways to make espresso.  The cheapest methods usually are called espresso machines, but technically do not make espresso as they use steam to produce coffee.  These are most of the machines that cost less than...
Coffee Resources: 5 Places to Learn More

The right coffee resources can sharpen your brewing skills. Explore five useful places to learn about espresso, equipment, roasting, and coffee culture.

Oooo, Latte Art.
As a utilitarian, I'm very infrequently moved by art. It seems so... useless? I realize that most art is supposed to make you feel something. For me, that feeling is usually apathy. Is apathy a feeling or rather its absence?...
Mission Espresso: 5 Steps to Better Home Espresso

Great espresso starts with fresh coffee and a repeatable process. Follow five practical steps to build better espresso at home.

Mahlkönig K30 ES Grinder Review
Not a lot is mentioned about this espresso and coffee shop grinder that is the subject of this review. The Mahlkönig K30 ES Grinder is not offered for sale used as often as Mazzer Super Jolly.  These have not been...
How expensive is expensive coffee?
Is coffee (in other words the beans themselves) expensive or cheap?  To me coffee is amazingly cheap.  What other products in the world can you get the best in the world of for so little.  Yes a pound of coffee...
what makes fresh coffee so important
Once you realize that coffee has to be fresh and that it is a crop the next question is why must coffee be fresh and why can it be too fresh?  Also what should you do if you cannot drink...
Coffee drinkers behaving badly
Judging by the ads that coffee companies chose to promote their products halfway through the 20th century, men were jerks back then. Take a quick look here for a unique laugh-cringe combo involving Folgers. Can you imagine talking to anybody,...
What makes good coffee beans?
One of the most overlooked aspects of good coffee is fresh coffee.  Even once it is taken into account it is easy to misunderstand it and its value.  I first realized just how important it was when I started roasting...
Nuova Simonelli Oscar Woes, Part Three
This is the final installment for a while in my journal detailing my repair of a used Oscar espresso machine I picked up for parts or repair.  After cleaning everything inside and out and searching out and eliminating all the...
Budget Espresso Grinder: How to Grind Espresso for Less

A budget espresso grinder is the smartest home-barista upgrade. Compare 3 affordable paths, learn why burrs beat blades, and see what to look for before you buy.

The cheapest path to good espresso - part one the machine
Usually after I am asked what the cheapest way to make good coffee is people ask me, that is fine, but what if I want to make espresso?  That is a much harder thing to do in an economical way...
The Coffee Car (#2) Rides Again
A month ago we reported on the story of the coffee car and the preparations for attempting a world speed record on September 14. Yesterday was the big day and the car, a re-designed Rover named Carpuccino, was ready. Its...
Go ask Alice
I just finished reading a scathing review of Mahogany Roasters Alice Espresso - this is a wonderful "comfort food" espresso blend that is easy to dial in and work with at a price that won't break the bank. It is...
The cheapest path to good coffee
An important question for any starting coffee enthusiast is “does it really cost that much to have good coffee?” The answer is, of course, as it usually is in life -  yes it does and no it doesn’t.  The answer...
Initial goals for my coffee blog...
Hi welcome to my blog.  I am a coffee addict.  I lived in Venice in 2005 and converted from a passion for brewed coffee to espresso at that time.  Unfortunately at the time the main thing I learned how to...
Your Next Coffee Maker - a Peugeot?
It might be pricey, but after all, this coffee maker comes with a free Peugeot car thrown in to carry it. The concept car, a hybrid called HX1, also features a mini-bar next to the coffee machine in a rear...
Hartmann Honey Process Supply Dwindling
Justin informed us yesterday that Deep Cello has less than fifty pounds of Finca Hartmann Honey Process left.    We've heard that there is some kind of dispute with Hartmann and their importer. Sadly, we have not yet been invited...
Group Head Brush Guide: 5 Cleaning Tips

A clean group head supports a better espresso routine. Learn five practical cleaning tips for maintaining your espresso machine and brewing equipment.