The Reading Room

What Is a WBC Signature Drink? How Champions Use the Whole Coffee Cherry

The WBC signature drink is where barista competitors go beyond espresso. The most memorable routines use every part of the coffee cherry: cascara, mucilage, coffee flowers, and the bean itself.

Cancer Warnings, Coffee and Common Sense
Here we go again: New statistics and new lists of all the myriad of things that cause cancer, or more correctly, things that are linked to cancer, are making the news. Cell phones and coffee are two of the additions...
Coffee Study Hallucinates In Its Conclusions
This week a report on a study by Australia’s La Trobe University stated that they found that coffee and stress lead people to hallucinate. It’s not that they saw dancing pink elephants on the office water cooler, but it was...
Coffee Drinks Explained: A Guide to Espresso Favorites

Confused by espresso drinks? Learn the differences between cappuccino, latte, macchiato, Americano, mocha, ristretto, and other coffee favorites.

World Barista Championship 2011 - Results are In
It's been awe-inspiring, exciting and a moving competition but the time has come to crown the 2011 World Barista Champion. Let's give a huge round of applause for Alejandro Mendez of El Salvador, this year's World Barista Champion. Equally commendable...
World Barista Championship - Game On!
Well, we've had a few extreme days of skills put to the test and today the Top 6 just finished their final round. Now it's up to the votes of the judges to determine which contestant was the most outstanding....
Caffeine Clothing: What the Science Actually Says

Caffeine-infused clothing has been marketed for body slimming. Here is what research says about topical caffeine, cellulite, and lasting weight loss.

How to Keep Coffee Fresh: 5 Mistakes That Ruin Good Coffee

 These 5 mistakes ruin good coffee before you ever brew it. Learn how to keep it fresh with the right storage habits at home.

World Barista Championship: What It Is, How Scoring Works, and What It Means for Coffee

The World Barista Championship is the highest-level annual espresso competition in the world, run by the SCA and contested by national champions from over 60 countries. Each competitor prepares 12 drinks in 15 minutes , 4 espressos, 4 milk drinks, and 4 signature beverages , scored on flavor, technical precision, and presentation. This guide covers what the WBC is, how scoring works, and what it means for the coffee you drink at home.

Parisi Brings Coffee to Joplin
We all hate hearing and reading about disasters, and the recent tornado damage to Joplin MO is no exception. What we do like to read about are the heartwarming stories of individuals and groups who respond to such disasters with...
Coffee Roast Profile: A Simple Guide

A coffee roast profile is the time-and-temperature plan behind every batch. Learn what it is, how it shapes flavor, and how to find a profile you love.

Google Takes on Groupon - with Coffee
It was just announced that Google is now diving into the online deal-making business. As with Groupon, through these social buying services, consumers can buy coupons at money-saving prices. They can only be bought online, for short periods, so the...
The History of Coffee: A Short Journey

The history of coffee spans over a thousand years, from wild Ethiopian cherries to a global daily ritual. Follow the journey from berry to morning staple.

Cold Brew Coffee: How to Make It, Ratio, Steep Time, and 4 Mistakes

Cold brew coffee is made by steeping coarse ground coffee in cold or room-temperature water for 12 to 24 hours. The result is a naturally smooth, low-acid concentrate that can be diluted with water or milk. This guide covers the correct ratio, steep time, grind size, how to make it without specialized equipment, and 4 mistakes that produce weak or sour cold brew.

My Coffee Shop - My Office
We’ve covered the subject of many workers choosing the coffee shop as their office and workspace. Now the UK’s Independent comes to fill in fascinating details from history, so we know what famous writers actually set the precedents. The article...
Funky fresh
I’ve been thinking about the freshness of my coffee quite a bit these days ever since I managed to acquire a large whole-bean selection due to my own splurges in combination with gifts from generous friends and vendors. I’m the...
Coffee vs Tea: A Friendly Comparison

Coffee vs tea is a friendly rivalry over caffeine, flavor, and ritual. Compare the two on lift, taste, and daily habit, and see why many enjoy both.

Cold Brew vs Iced Coffee: Which Method Is Right for You?

Cold brew, Japanese iced coffee, and iced pour-over each produce a fundamentally different cup. Here is how each method works and which one you should be making at home.

Military Coffee: Why Service Members Drink Black and How Blackout Gives Back

Coffee is mission-critical for military personnel , consumed in higher quantities, under more demanding conditions, and more often black than in any other professional context. Blackout Coffee was founded in 2018 in Florida with the military community at its core. This post covers why military coffee culture runs deep, how Blackout supports active duty through Operation Blackout, and how service members and veterans access discounts through GovX.

Is French Press Coffee bad for you?
French Press - Bad Press - Addressed The French Press has been in the news for awhile as an unhealthy way to brew coffee, because it’s filter doesn’t filter out the cafestol. Cafestol is a substance that causes the body’s...
High Altitude Coffee: Why Elevation Matters

High altitude coffee grows on cool mountain slopes, where slow ripening builds denser beans and brighter flavor. Learn why elevation matters in the cup.