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The February 2026 Decanter Issue Reveals a Kaleidoscope of Wine Discoveries

Feb

The February 2026 Decanter Issue Reveals a Kaleidoscope of Wine Discoveries

The verdict is in: this month’s Decanter issue is a masterclass in redefining what we think we know about wine. Amy Wislocki’s take on Viura/Macabeo—once dismissed as a neutral workhorse—shatters preconceptions. Her analogy to a Scandi noir series, slow-burn and unexpectedly thrilling, mirrors the grape’s evolution from reserved to revelatory. With 86 wines rated, the tasting exposes a spectrum of styles where oak, nuttiness, and time transform the variety into a narrative of depth. Even seasoned palates will find themselves reevaluating a grape once deemed dull. The Pierro Chardonnay 2023 stands as a testament to how wine thrives in community.…

AI and Specialty Coffee: The Future is Now, But at What Cost?

Feb

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsFather

AI and Specialty Coffee: The Future is Now, But at What Cost?

The coffee world is changing, and AI is at the center of it. From grading green beans to predicting roast curves, artificial intelligence is reshaping specialty coffee. But as algorithms take over, the question isn’t just whether AI can improve coffee—it’s whether it can preserve the craft that made it special. AI’s most immediate value lies in tackling the inefficiencies that plague coffee businesses. Vision systems can spot insect damage or screen-size deviations faster than any human, while machine-learning models refine roast curves with precision, cutting down trial-and-error waste. These tools aren’t just streamlining workflows—they’re redefining quality control. James Corwin,…

When Top Chefs Choose Coffee: The Roasters Behind Their Best Dishes

Feb

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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LifestyleAdriatic, benefits of coffee, Chefs, Father, Wendelboe

When Top Chefs Choose Coffee: The Roasters Behind Their Best Dishes

This might just change your routine: Inside the kitchens where coffee is treated like fine wine. Chefs who once focused on perfecting sauces and plating now spend equal time curating beans, sourcing roasters, and crafting brews that elevate their menus. The shift isn’t about pretension—it’s about precision. “Great coffee has become so common in coffee shops,” says Tim Wendelboe, a World Barista Champion and founder of his namesake roastery. “Why would a restaurant still serve mediocre coffee?” The answer is evolving. At Noma, Denmark’s Michelin-starred icon, chef René Redzepi and Wendelboe redefined the relationship between coffee and cuisine. Their collaboration…

Time Travel with Your Cup: Passenger Coffee Unveils a 10-Year-Old Harvest

Feb

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsFather, Kiriani, Passenger, Peaberry, This

Time Travel with Your Cup: Passenger Coffee Unveils a 10-Year-Old Harvest

Listen up: Pennsylvania’s Passenger Coffee is rewriting the rules of freshness by serving a Kenya Kiriani Peaberry harvested a decade ago. The roaster’s bold move—freezing green coffee at peak quality and releasing it years later—blurs the line between preservation and artistry. This isn’t just about nostalgia; it’s a statement on how specialty coffee can defy time. The 2016 crop, frozen and untouched until now, arrives with jammy blackcurrant sweetness and vibrant citrus tones, proving that patience can enhance, not diminish, a cup. Passenger’s freezing program, tested since 2014 and scaled in 2017, isn’t just a gimmick. It’s a strategic shift…

How to Calculate Shelf Life for Cold Brew Without Pasteurization

Feb

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsAgroforestry, Alto, Cold, Infuser, Refrigeration

How to Calculate Shelf Life for Cold Brew Without Pasteurization

Here’s what you need to know: Cold brew’s shelf life isn’t just about time—it’s a science of safety and sensory clarity. For small-batch cold brew, refrigeration is your best ally, but without pasteurization, you’re balancing risk and reward. The goal? To nail a “best by” date that keeps your product safe, flavorful, and compliant until you scale up. Start by understanding the variables: temperature, ingredients, and packaging all play roles. Refrigeration slows microbial growth, but it doesn’t stop it entirely. Cold brew’s low acidity and high caffeine content create a unique environment—some bacteria and molds thrive in those conditions. To…

Uneven Roast? The Secret to a Perfect Batch

Feb

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Coffee FactsCatuai, Father, how to clean your coffee maker

Uneven Roast? The Secret to a Perfect Batch

Time to spill: Uneven roasting is a common pain point, but it’s fixable with the right adjustments. You’re working with Brazilian Catuai-Catuai yellow beans from 1200 meters—high-altitude beans known for their density and slow development. At 82 points, they’re already a premium crop, but your roast profile is revealing a flaw. The weight loss from 800g to 708g suggests a medium-dark roast, yet the unevenness points to a deeper issue. The first crack timing—between 7 and 8.3 minutes—is a clue. That range is typical for medium roasts, but the inconsistency in color and texture suggests uneven heat distribution. Catuai beans,…

The Ethiopian Bean’s RoR Crash: Why It Happens and How to Fix It

Feb

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsEthiopian, Father, This

The Ethiopian Bean’s RoR Crash: Why It Happens and How to Fix It

If you’ve ever roasted an Ethiopian bean and watched the RoR plummet at first crack, you’re not alone. This bean’s unique profile—marked by a sharp, bright acidity and a delicate balance of floral and citrus notes—often defies the expected roast curve. Unlike most beans, which see a RoR spike as CO2 escapes, this Ethiopian variety consistently drops. The question isn’t if it happens, but why and how to navigate it. The answer lies in the bean’s cellular structure and moisture content. Ethiopian coffees, particularly from regions like Guji Uraga, have a higher proportion of small, tightly packed cells. When heat…

Feb

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsCalifornia, Father, how to clean your coffee maker, This

The Art of Slow Roasting Coffee

This is worth savoring: If your coffee is hitting the dark side too soon, you’re not alone. A roaster with an 8-minute timer can feel like a luxury, but when your beans are turning too quickly, it’s time to rethink your approach. You’re roasting between 60-80g of green beans, yet second crack hits by the 4-minute mark—leaving you with underdeveloped, grassy flavors. The question isn’t just about time; it’s about balance. How do you stretch the roast window without sacrificing quality? The problem lies in the interplay between heat, airflow, and bean density. Kenyan washed and Colombian beans, while flavorful,…

Cupping Without the Frills: Why Home Roasters Can Skip the Fancy Gear

Feb

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Coffee FactsCalifornia, Cupping, Father

Cupping Without the Frills: Why Home Roasters Can Skip the Fancy Gear

Get ready to sip on this: Home roasting doesn’t require a lab setup. If you’re asking whether you need specialized cupping bowls, the answer is almost always no. Cupping is a tool for evaluation, not a ritual. When you roast at home, your goal is to taste your own work, not chase SCA benchmarks. A basic mug, even a paper cup, can do the job. The real question isn’t whether your gear is “fancy”—it’s whether it’s functional for your purpose. Let’s cut through the noise. Cupping bowls are designed to hold liquid, not to alter flavor. A 12-ounce glass or…

The ET RoR Conundrum on Small Roasters: What You Need to Know

Feb

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Coffee FactsFather, Preheating

The ET RoR Conundrum on Small Roasters: What You Need to Know

If you're struggling with ET stagnation and RoR drops on a small roaster like the Kaleido M1, you're not alone. The machine’s limited heat capacity creates a tightrope walk between precision and control—where a slight miscalculation can send your roast spiraling. You’re right to notice that ET often plateaus before BT takes over, but the real challenge lies in managing the delicate balance between heat input and airflow. Ramping up air to 15% might seem like a fix, but it’s not just about pushing heat out—it’s about recalibrating the entire system’s thermal dynamics. Small roasters like the M1 lack the…