Coffee Knowledge
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
African Coffee Origins and Their Distinct Flavors
Explore the unique flavors and characteristics of African coffee regions like Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, and more with key tasting notes and regional profiles.
Two Ways to Extract Espresso and Filter Coffee
All modern coffee brewing falls into two methods: espresso under pressure, or steep extraction at normal pressure. Here’s how they differ.
How to Make Ice Drip Coffee with Rich Flavor
Learn how to brew ice drip coffee at home with the right flow rate and time for a clean, sweet cup with complex flavors.
Key Tasting Terms for Single Origin Coffee
Understand dry aroma, wet aroma, acidity, body, aftertaste, and flavor—the six essential terms for evaluating specialty single origin coffee.
Key Principles for Professional Barista Espresso Making
A seasoned barista shares four essential operational principles for making great espresso quickly, cleanly, and consistently under café pressure.
Common Coffee Brewers for Single-Origin Pour-Overs
Explore four common coffee brewers used in cafés for single-origin coffee: siphon, Moka pot, French press, and drip methods.
How to Choose the Right Coffee Grinder
Learn why a burr grinder matters more than your espresso machine and how wattage and grind consistency impact your cup.
Why Fresh Coffee Beans Taste Better
Freshly roasted coffee beans deliver the best flavor—here’s how to spot them and why two weeks post-roast is ideal.
What Is Single Origin Coffee?
Single origin coffee comes from one place, often one farm, and highlights unique regional flavors without milk or sugar. Learn how it’s named and graded.
Major Specialty Coffee Varieties Explained
Explore 6 key coffee tree varieties like Maragogype, Pacamara, and Bourbon, with details on flavor, origin, and roast profiles.
How Coffee Spread Across the World: A Historical Timeline
From 6th-century Arabia to 21st-century espresso culture, trace coffee’s global journey through key milestones, inventions, and cultural shifts.
What Is Specialty Coffee? Origin and Definition Explained
Learn the true meaning of specialty coffee, from its 1974 roots to today’s standards on origin, processing, freshness and roast.
Coffee Tree Basics and What Determines Caffeine Levels
Learn how coffee trees grow, why they're cultivated a certain height, and what affects caffeine levels in your cup—from Arabica to Robusta.
How to Identify Coffee Aroma From Grinding to Aftertaste
Learn how to recognize coffee aroma at every stage—from grinding beans to post-drink aftertaste—with practical steps for better sensory evaluation.
The World’s 10 Most Iconic Specialty Coffee Shops
Discover the 10 most famous global coffee chains, from Starbucks to Costa, including origins, styles, and what made them household names.
Coffee Machine Operation and Cleaning Guide
Learn essential safety tips, proper usage steps, and detailed daily to monthly cleaning routines for your espresso machine.
Espresso Roasting: Key Techniques and Blending Strategies
Learn how to roast and blend espresso beans for balanced flavor, from light North Italian to deep French roast styles.
Why Are There So Many Cooperatives in Yirgacheffe, Ethiopia?
Yirgacheffe’s coffee scene thrives on its many cooperatives. Here’s why they exist, how they help farmers, and what that means for your cup.
Ethiopian Harar Coffee: Bold Flavor Returns
Queen City’s freshly arrived Ethiopian Harar features refined processing, bold chocolate-cedar notes, and reduced defects. Here’s what makes it special.
What Makes a Good Cup of Coffee?
A great cup of coffee leaves you wanting more—balanced, smooth, and with lasting flavor. Here’s how pros define a truly good brew.