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Dark Roasts Just Got a Lot Less Appealing

Dec

Dark Roasts Just Got a Lot Less Appealing

Consider this your morning briefing: Coffee geeks and casual drinkers alike have long debated the merits of dark roasts. But what if your latest bag of beans isn’t just bad—it’s actively making you question your entire palate? For years, I’ve been a loyal fan of Sumatran dark roasts, savoring their thick, earthy bitterness. But after a recent batch from a local roastery, I found myself staring at my cup and wondering if I’d accidentally ordered a bag of ash. The roast smelled promising—fresh, with hints of chocolate. But the first sip was a wake-up call. Bitterness overwhelmed the cup, accompanied…

Decoding Coffee Grades: Why ‘Specialty’ Matters More Than You Think

Dec

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee Factsacidity, benefits of coffee, Father, Grader, Specialty

Decoding Coffee Grades: Why ‘Specialty’ Matters More Than You Think

Real talk: The coffee aisle is a minefield of jargon. Terms like "gourmet," "premium," and "specialty" feel like they’re meant to confuse, not inform. But here’s the thing—these labels aren’t just marketing fluff. They’re gateways to understanding what you’re actually buying. Let’s cut through the noise. Coffee quality isn’t a guess—it’s a science. The Specialty Coffee Association (SCA) sets the gold standard, grading green beans on a 1-10 scale. Grade 1 is the pinnacle, with zero primary defects (like mold or fermentation issues) and only 0-3 secondary flaws. This isn’t just about taste; it’s about consistency. A Grade 1 bean…

Mariah Vella’s Coffee Philosophy: How Malta’s Café Became a Community Hub

Dec

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsAoarashi, Bolgheri, Malta, Mariah, Sheese

Mariah Vella’s Coffee Philosophy: How Malta’s Café Became a Community Hub

Here’s what you need to know: Mariah Vella isn’t just running a café—she’s curating an experience. As store manager at COFFEE & strangers in Malta, she’s turned a small space into a sanctuary for connection, creativity, and curiosity. Her approach blends Italian influence with Maltese grit, crafting a place where coffee isn’t just a drink but a catalyst for meaningful interactions. Mariah’s journey began in Milan, where she discovered the quiet power of a well-made espresso. The café there became her daily anchor, teaching her that coffee is about more than beans—it’s about the rituals, the people, and the stories…

Baobab Seed Coffee: A Sustainable Brew with a Rich History

Dec

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsCalifornia, Father, This

Baobab Seed Coffee: A Sustainable Brew with a Rich History

This might just change your routine: A caffeine-free brew with a story as deep as the roots of the baobab tree. For years, coffee lovers have grappled with sustainability dilemmas—water use, deforestation, and climate stress. Enter baobab seed coffee, a drink born from Africa’s ancient trees and reimagined for modern palates. It’s not just a substitute; it’s a revolution in how we think about waste, nutrition, and flavor. The baobab tree, a keystone of African ecosystems, produces fruit whose seeds were once discarded as byproduct. Now, they’re roasted into a beverage that mirrors coffee’s texture and aroma while delivering a…

Blind Burrs vs. Regular: Why the Difference Matters for Your Cup

Dec

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsAlan, Aric, Blind, Father, Yet

Blind Burrs vs. Regular: Why the Difference Matters for Your Cup

Here’s what you need to know: Blind burrs are reshaping the grinder game, but their rise isn’t just about hype. These burrs—designed without screw holes on the cutting surface—offer measurable advantages, from cleaner grinds to sharper extraction. Yet their scarcity in the market raises questions about cost, complexity, and whether they’re worth the upgrade. Blind burrs work by eliminating screw holes entirely, securing the burr via alignment pins, magnets, or rear-mounted screws. This design tweak increases cutting surface area by up to 8% in some models, reducing retention and improving efficiency. “The holes in regular burrs trap coffee, creating uneven…

75% of Coffee from Top Buyers Now Meets Sustainability Standards

Dec

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsFather, What

75% of Coffee from Top Buyers Now Meets Sustainability Standards

This is worth savoring: The coffee industry is finally catching up to its promises. A new report from the Global Coffee Platform (GCP) reveals that 75% of coffee purchased by 11 major buyers in 2024 met at least one sustainability standard—a record high. For context, these buyers, including Nestlé, JDE Peet’s, and Tesco, accounted for 21% of global green coffee purchases, representing 38.4 million 60-kilo bags. The jump from 73% in 2023 to 75% this year signals a shift, but the path isn’t without hurdles. The report highlights a growing embrace of sustainability, yet the metrics remain tangled. Third-party certifications…

Cranked Espresso: The Mechanical Renaissance in Coffee Brewing

Dec

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsAlkaid, Emanuale, Father, From

Cranked Espresso: The Mechanical Renaissance in Coffee Brewing

Coffee lovers, wine enthusiasts, tea devotees—this is worth savoring: the espresso world is undergoing a quiet revolution. No, not with AI or fancy apps. Instead, it’s the return of worm gears, hand cranks, and threaded pistons—mechanical marvels that date back to Archimedes—now reimagined for modern baristas. From China to Germany to the UK, a new wave of espresso machines is redefining manual brewing with precision, portability, and a tactile connection to the craft. These cranked and geared systems aren’t just nostalgic; they’re a deliberate shift toward control, simplicity, and a deeper relationship between user and machine. At the forefront is…

India’s Coffee Output Holds Steady Amid Brazil’s Rising Threat

Dec

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee FactsBrazilian, European, Father, Indian, Karnataka

India’s Coffee Output Holds Steady Amid Brazil’s Rising Threat

Time to spill: India’s coffee production is holding near 6 million bags for the 2025/26 season, but the battle for global market share is intensifying. Excessive monsoons battered yields, yet USDA data shows output barely dipping below last year’s levels. The real story? Brazil’s aggressive push into European markets is reshaping the competition, and India’s farmers are feeling the pressure. The USDA report paints a mixed picture. Arabica yields fell 3%, robusta 2%, as monsoon rains flooded southern India—especially Karnataka, the heart of the country’s coffee belt. While soggy soil boosted short-term growth, fungal diseases and fruit splitting are now…

Do Coffee Beans and Ground Coffee Measure the Same? Quick Facts

Dec

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Coffee Factscoffee, Facts, measurement

Do Coffee Beans and Ground Coffee Measure the Same? Quick Facts

Measuring coffee accurately can significantly impact your brewing experience. You might wonder if coffee beans and ground coffee measure the same, and the answer often surprises many. When you grind coffee, the volume changes, hence leading to variations in your brewing ratio. To optimize your coffee making, consider exploring Why You Should Measure Coffee By Weight Instead Of ....Understanding Coffee Measurements Your brewing precision heavily relies on proper coffee measurements, significantly influencing taste and strength. The standard measurement you might consider is often referred to as the The "Golden Ratio" for Brewing Coffee, suggesting a specific coffee-to-water ratio that works…

Is 2 Glasses of Wine Nightly Alcoholic? Signs to Watch

Dec

By ADMIN@CoffeeWineTea.com

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Wine FactsAlcohol, Habits, health

Is 2 Glasses of Wine Nightly Alcoholic? Signs to Watch

Alcohol consumption can often blur the lines between moderation and dependency, so evaluating your two glasses of wine each night is vital. You may wonder if this habit signals a growing alcohol-related issue. Understanding the signs of potential alcoholism can help you assess your relationship with alcohol and ensure your drinking remains within healthy limits. By recognizing patterns and listening to your body, you can make informed decisions about your wine consumption and overall well-being.Understanding Alcohol Consumption Alcohol consumption encompasses a wide range of behaviors and patterns, reflecting both social norms and personal choices. You may find yourself questioning the…