Coffee Knowledge
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
What Are the Different Coffee Styles and Which Do You Prefer?
Explore six classic coffee styles—espresso, cappuccino, latte, and more—with exact ratios and cultural origins to find your favorite.
What Makes Italian Espresso So Bold and Passionate?
Discover the bold, fast, and flavorful world of traditional Italian espresso—its origins, brewing style, and creamy cappuccino counterpart.
How Central Europeans Drink Coffee: Calm and Balanced
Central and Northern Europeans prefer moderate-strength coffee, often brewed via paper drip or espresso, with clear distinctions between black and milk options.
Budapest’s Wine and Coffee Culture Explained
Discover how Budapest splits its pleasures: Tokaji dessert wine from Buda and historic coffeehouses in Pest, including the legendary New York Café.
How to Taste and Evaluate Coffee in Six Steps
Learn the six essential steps to taste and assess specialty coffee, from aroma to body texture, and understand what makes each cup unique.
How Espresso Led to Lower-Quality Coffee Beans
Espresso’s global popularity drove demand for cheaper blends, pushing high-grade beans like Colombian out and lowering market prices.
How to Taste Coffee in 3 Simple Steps
Learn how to appreciate coffee like a pro—by smelling, observing color, and savoring flavor in just three easy steps.
Coffee Shop Etiquette Every Guest Should Know
Learn the proper way to hold your cup, add milk and sugar, stir, and avoid common faux pas when drinking coffee in a café.
What Is Kopi Luwak and Why Is It So Controversial?
Kopi Luwak, or civet coffee, is made from beans eaten and excreted by civets. Once rare and pricey, it’s now widely questioned for ethics and quality.
Why Coffee and Alcohol Mix So Well in Cocktails
Discover how coffee and alcohol balance in cocktails, with expert techniques, flavor profiles, and five standout coffee cocktail recipes.
After-Dinner Coffee Etiquette: How to Serve It Properly
Learn the proper way to serve post-meal coffee, including cupware, placement, and serving techniques for formal dining settings.
What Is Specialty Coffee? The Full Definition
Specialty coffee is defined by origin, processing, roast, and brewing. Learn the strict standards behind the term and what makes it different.
Arabica vs Robusta: What Makes Specialty Coffee Different
Learn how Arabica and Robusta differ, what defines specialty coffee, and why single origins and blends matter in your cup.
How a Farmer in Yunnan Became a Local Coffee Hero
Meet farmer-turned-roaster Lao Duan, who’s teaching Yunnan growers to taste and improve their own coffee—one roast at a time.
Why Some Yunnan Coffee Claims Don't Add Up
Not all boasts about Yunnan coffee are true. Many claims about awards, taste, and variety are misleading or outdated.
Espresso-Based Coffee Drinks: Layers Explained
Learn how classic espresso drinks like cappuccino, latte, and macchiato are layered, what’s in each, and how they differ in milk and foam ratios.
17th Century Parisian Coffee Culture: What It Really Looked Like
Discover how Parisians drank coffee in the 1600s—from street vendors to opulent palace-style cafés—and how it shaped modern café culture.
Why Does a Starbucks Latte Cost So Much More in Some Cities?
A Starbucks latte’s price varies widely—here’s why the same drink costs differently around the world, and what really drives those price differences.
How Coffee Trade Took One Man Around the World
A Hong Kong-based coffee trader shares his globe-trotting coffee sourcing journeys, from Ethiopia to Jamaica, and the unique stories behind each origin.
How to Drink Coffee Gracefully: Etiquette & Appreciation Guide
Learn the unspoken rules of coffeehouse behavior, proper tasting steps, and how to hold your cup like a Parisian — with details on latte art, sugar, and spoon use.