The Reading Room

Oh no... No power and I need fresh coffee! Hario Skerton Hand Grinder to the rescue.
/files/photo1_1.JPG" align="left" border="5" hspace="5" vspace="5" />So what does one do in this situation?   Well there are quite a few options out there for these types of situations as well as when out on the trail or camping. I’ve spoke about...
Express Individual Drip Coffee Maker
Express Individual Drip Coffee MakerI found this item new/unused in a local thrift store back in May and I thought it might be fun to try out. The box came with a sealed pack of ten #1 filters and looks...
Today's Grandparents Are Active and Involved!
Why not surprise your coffee drinking grandpas and grandmas with a great ROASTe gift?Coming up on September 12, Americans will celebrate Grandparents' Day for the 32nd year. ROASTe recognizes and thanks all our wonderful grandparents for their family leadership and...
Not in my cup!
Converting people from instant to the "good stuff"My aunt stopped by a few days ago to pick up my father - they were going up north for the weekend. My dad had his travel mug ready (with the coffee level...
Minneapolis Coffee
I went to Minneapolis to visit family and tried to find good espresso. It didn't seem to be around every corner. I am sure it was there, it was just not where I was at the time. It's probably like...
French Press with Etheopian Coffee
Went to Minneapolis to see some family. They had our itinerary planned out for us. We went to a restaurant that is on the Historic Register called A. W. Frost and Company. We had reservations on the patio which seated...
How to Make Coffee Taste Better: 10 Simple Upgrades

10 simple upgrades to make your coffee taste better. Fresh beans, grinder upgrade, water temp, ratio, storage, and more. Each one improves your daily cup.

The Roaste Experience
I ordered a 2 lb back of Klatch belle espresso. Well I got two 12 oz packages. I emailed Roaste and they immediately responded. They offered a resolution of another 12 oz package of what ever I wanted. They have...
Do You Blend?
I love tasting single origin coffee beans – the unique qualities inherent in the bean lovingly revealed through the skillful craftsmanship of the dedicated professional roaster brings so much enjoyment to my coffee consuming experience. How could I ask for...
On the Beach or Trail, Small Espresso Maker Goes Everywhere
It’s only August, so there’s still time for barbecues and maybe a camping trip or two. Ahhh, camping - the campfire crackles, the crickets sing in the background, the breeze rustles through the trees….the smell of roasted marshmallow entices the...
Brewing Turkish Coffee
Turkish CoffeeTurkish coffee is a sweet, fragrant, and full-bodied brew that is very popular in the Mediterranean region and Middle East. Most coffee historians agree this style of coffee got its start in Egypt during the 16th century. Turkish coffee...
Experiment #2 - coffee body scrub
This is my second experiment in making bath/body products using coffee. Technically I used the grounds for this experiment not the coffee itself but close enough right? I tried this three ways. One using the sugar, one using the sea...
Experiment #1 - coffee as hair coloring?
On Roaste's Facebook page I saw a link posted about skin and hair care products that were made with coffee. As tempting as they were I  just cannot afford them right now. This got me thinking - could I make...
The Hunt for the Espresso Bean
Espresso is like Golf. There is never a perfect game. Golf is how well you can handle and recover from your arrant shots . I guess Golf is a lot like life. I think people like the pursuit of the...
Espresso For Those On A Budget
That is like saying caviar for those on a budget. Espresso is an expensive habit. Especially if you drink it as much as I do. I started off buying Lavazza Tierra beans from Amazon on their subscription services because of...
How to Make Coffee Caramel Sauce at Home (5 Ingredients)

Coffee caramel sauce takes 15 minutes and five ingredients. Rich, bold, and made with real brewed coffee — drizzle it on ice cream, stir it into drinks, or spoon it straight from the jar.

Costa Rica Coffee: Regions, Processing, and What Makes It a Specialty Standard

Costa Rica coffee is grown across eight distinct regions on volcanic soil at high altitude, producing clean, balanced cups with bright acidity and sweetness. The country mandates 100% arabica production by law , no robusta is permitted. Tarrazú is the most celebrated growing region, known for bright citrus, chocolate, and caramel profiles. This guide covers the key regions, the washed, honey, and natural processing methods Costa Rica pioneered, and the SHB grading standard.

ARM Industries Perfect Pod Holster Review
ARM Industries Perfect Pod Holster for Keurig Coffee Machines Review:The manufacturer ARM Industries offers a neat adapter for use with Keurig brewers named the Perfect Pod Holster. It’s similar in design to the EZ-Cup, but does not require special filters...
Sacrafices and Recommendations for those on a budget.
Like hundreds of thousands of other Californians, I am in the unemployment club. I did not choose to be in this non-prestigious organization, but am a member nontheless. When you are living on the checks of unemployment, you must force...
Iced Coffee – The Quest For the Cold
Summer in some parts of the country can be a bummer for coffee lovers. A hot drink just does not entice so invitingly as Iced Lemonade, smoothies, and, the best of show, if you aren’t counting calories: Italian sodas!!/files/u3/iced-coffee.jpg" title="Iced...
Great Coffee is NO Accident! Pt. 3
This is the third installment in a series of articles. *Disclaimer- If I am incorrect on anything mentioned here, I apologize, and appreciate being informed of such. I am still learning this fascinating industry, and hope to continue doing so...