Specialty Coffee Beans
Latest articles, industry insights and brewing guides
Why Brazil Produces Some of the World’s Best Coffee
Despite being the world’s top coffee producer, Brazil grows exceptional beans—especially in key regions like Minas Gerais. Here’s what makes them great.
Who Invented Coffee Latte Art? The Story of David Schomer
The latte art technique was invented in 1988 by American barista David Schomer in Seattle, inspired by an accidental heart shape in milk.
How to Store Coffee Beans and Taste Coffee Like a Pro
Learn how long coffee beans last after roasting, how to store them properly, and the best way to taste coffee for maximum flavor.
Acids in Coffee: What They Are and How They Taste
Learn how citric, malic, quinic, acetic, and phosphoric acids shape your coffee’s flavor, brightness, and body.
What’s Really Inside Coffee? Key Chemical Components Explained
Coffee contains caffeine, tannic acid, fats, proteins, sugars, and minerals. This guide breaks down each compound’s role in flavor, aroma, and effects.
Macchiato vs Con Panna: What’s the Real Difference?
Macchiato means 'stained'—just a shot of espresso with a small dash of milk foam. Con Panna is espresso topped with a dollop of whipped cream. Here's how to tell them apart.
Why Starbucks Offers Different Types of Seating
Starbucks designs varied seating to serve different customer needs—from quick visits to long stays. Most locations mix communal tables, individual spots, and lounge areas.
How Much Caffeine Is Really in Your Coffee?
Find out the exact caffeine content in different coffee styles—from espresso to cold brew—and why your daily cup may vary more than you think.
Coffee Producing vs. Consuming Countries: The Global Ratio
Only a small fraction of coffee-growing nations consume most of the world’s coffee. Here's the global breakdown of production and consumption.
How to Use Coffee Grounds to Deodorize Your Oven
Place a tray of used coffee grounds in your oven and bake to neutralize stubborn food odors left behind after roasting.
The Coffee Tasting Flavor Map: What You Need to Know
Learn how the coffee flavor map works, what taste receptors detect, and why your palate perceives flavors differently during cupping or tasting.
Why Your Siphon Coffee Failed (And How to Fix It)
Learn the 5 most common reasons siphon brewing fails—and the exact fixes for each. Includes grind size, water temp, and timing tips.
How Roast Level Affects Coffee Extraction Rates
Learn how light and dark roasts respond differently to water temperature, grind size, and brew time to optimize extraction.
How to Avoid Coffee Grounds in French Press Brews
Learn how to prevent coffee grounds in your French press using the right grind size, brew time, and pouring technique.
Washed Rwandan Arabica Coffee Beans Explained
Rwandan washed Arabica beans offer soft, intense flavors with grassy notes and tropical character. Learn why these beans are uniquely African.
São Tomé and Príncipe: Small-Batch High-Quality Arabica Beans
São Tomé and Príncipe produces just 1,000 bags of high-quality washed Arabica coffee yearly, mostly shipped to Scandinavia.
The Coffee Hunter: Finding True Flavor Through Origins
Discover how 'coffee hunter' Kawashima built Mi Cafeto around farm-level freshness, vintage lots, and transport control to reveal coffee’s true fruitiness.
Why Is My Coffee So Acidic and Astringent?
Learn why coffee tastes sour or astringent, how extraction affects flavor, and how to adjust grind, time, and temperature to fix it.
EK43 vs Guatemala Lab Grinders: Sensory Differences in Cupping
Four Q Graders found Guatemala Lab grinders produce brighter, more aromatic cups, while EK43 delivers heavier body and stronger sweetness in blind tests.
How to Store Coffee Beans for Freshness
Keep your coffee tasting fresh longer with these essential storage tips — including pack size, light exposure, and why the fridge is a bad idea.