Coffee Facts

Expert guides on coffee brewing, roasting, beans, and equipment. Master your coffee journey with in-depth articles.

The Bitter Finish: Loring Roasts and Espresso Challenges

The Bitter Finish: Loring Roasts and Espresso Challenges

Switching roasters changed everything—here’s why your espresso might be tasting bitter. If you’ve moved from an Aillio Bullet to a Loring S15, you’re probably noticing a shift in flavor. Production roasts now take 10.5–11 minutes instead of 8–9, and that extra time is leaving your espresso with a dry, bitter finish, especially in lattes. The problem isn’t just about time—it’s about how the Loring handles heat and airflow, which alters the roast’s trajectory. Your curve shows a crash followed by a flick right after first crack, a pattern some say is common with Loring machines. But if you’re tasting bitterness,…
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The Coffmeter A1: A Colorimeter That Delivers Consistent Results

The Coffmeter A1: A Colorimeter That Delivers Consistent Results

For coffee enthusiasts seeking precision, the Coffmeter A1 offers a compelling blend of affordability and accuracy. This colorimeter, a subsidiary of DiFluid, measures Agtron values for both whole bean and ground coffee with surprising consistency. My initial tests revealed results that align closely with calibration tiles, suggesting the device is reliable—even if not perfect. The real test came when I compared it to Coffee Review’s Agtron data for JBC Roasters’ coffees. While whole bean readings varied by ±3 points, ground coffee consistently showed a +11 spread. This discrepancy likely stems from grind size differences, but the fact that all three…
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Lease or Revive: Navigating a Coffee Roasting Facility’s Future

Lease or Revive: Navigating a Coffee Roasting Facility’s Future

The verdict is in: A 20,000-sq-ft coffee roasting facility isn’t just a building—it’s a potential goldmine, but only if you know how to unlock it. The lease offer of $10k/month raises a critical question: Is this a deal worth pursuing, or a relic of a bygone era? The equipment is functional, but the business isn’t. That’s the paradox here: a modern roasting setup with industrial-grade machines, yet no customers. The numbers matter, but so does the market. Lease rates for commercial roasting spaces vary wildly depending on location, demand, and the facility’s condition. In cities like Seattle or San Francisco,…
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The Delonghi Dedica Duo’s Espresso Puzzle

The Delonghi Dedica Duo’s Espresso Puzzle

Consider this your morning briefing: If you’ve ever stared at a coffee machine, wondering why your espresso isn’t hitting its stride, you’re not alone. The DeLonghi Dedica Duo is a sleek, budget-friendly machine that promises precision, but mastering its output requires more than just a fresh roast. My journey with this machine—starting with pressurized baskets, then a bottomless portafilter—revealed a critical truth: espresso is a dance of variables, and one misstep can derail the whole performance. The grind size, for instance, is the unsung hero of this equation. I began with a Melitta Molino, assuming its fine setting (1) would…
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The Bottomless Porta Filter Dilemma: A Rancilio Silvia M Owner’s Quest for Perfect Espresso

The Bottomless Porta Filter Dilemma: A Rancilio Silvia M Owner’s Quest for Perfect Espresso

There’s something brewing in the world of espresso enthusiasts—specifically, a growing obsession with the bottomless porta filter. For those who’ve ever stared at their machine, wondering if that drip of water is a sign of success or failure, the Rancilio Silvia M owner’s latest experiment offers a window into the delicate dance of extraction. The setup? A Eureka Mignon Speciality grinder, a new bottomless porta filter, and an 18g VST basket. The question? Why is water dripping sideways, and is that a red flag? The bottomless porta filter’s design is all about visibility, but it’s also a mirror for your…
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The Quiet Revolution of a Coffee Setup

The Quiet Revolution of a Coffee Setup

Listen up: the best coffee setups don’t always need a huge budget or a wall of gear. A single machine, a few tools, and a dash of intention can turn your kitchen into a sanctuary of flavor. Take Sage Bambino and Comandante c40—two machines that, when paired with the right grinder, can outperform most local cafes. The Bambino, bought for £195 on sale three years ago, became a steal thanks to a £200 cashback offer from Sage’s subscription service. It’s not flawless—grinding is slow, and the retention of the Fellow Opus it replaced was a nightmare—but for a solo coffee…
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The €1200 Espresso Setup That’s Getting Real Talk

The €1200 Espresso Setup That’s Getting Real Talk

Let’s talk about espresso setups that don’t break the bank. A €1200 build isn’t about luxury—it’s about precision. My goal was simple: a machine that delivers consistent shots without chasing gimmicks. Here’s what I landed on: a Sage Dual Boiler, Eureka Mignon 55S grinder, Normcore bottomless portafilter, and a high-extraction basket with an 18g dose. The results? A machine that keeps its temperature, a grinder that doesn’t compromise on texture, and a portafilter that’s a game-changer for puck prep. The Sage Dual Boiler isn’t just a spec sheet highlight—it’s the backbone of this setup. Its ability to maintain stable extraction…
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The Arkel Coast: A Coffee Machine That Redefines Usability

The Arkel Coast: A Coffee Machine That Redefines Usability

Time to spill: The Arkel Coast isn’t just another espresso machine—it’s a revelation. After 120 shots, it’s clear this machine is built for people who want precision, simplicity, and a touch of luxury. Its flaws are glaring, but the experience it delivers is so addictive, you’ll forgive the trade-offs. The Arkel Coast’s appeal lies in its engineering. Dual boiler, non-E61 grouphead, and Flow Control are standard, addressing the pain points of enthusiasts like us. My partner and I, who’ve relied on a clunky external frother for years, finally have a machine that handles milk drinks with ease. The touch screen,…
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The Single-Dose Grinder That’s Reshaping Coffee Rituals

The Single-Dose Grinder That’s Reshaping Coffee Rituals

Let’s talk about the quiet revolution in coffee gear—single-dose grinders are no longer niche tools for pros, they’re the new standard for anyone chasing precision. After three years of tinkering with the Eureka Mignon and various single-dose mods, I finally made the leap to a proper single-dose grinder last week. The Mazzer? It’s not just a machine—it’s a revelation. The shift feels immediate. Shots extracted with the Mazzer are noticeably sweeter than the Eureka, even at similar extraction times. The difference isn’t just in taste—it’s in control. The Mazzer’s dual burr-sets offer a finesse that’s hard to replicate, and the…
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The Espresso Obsession: A Loop of Perfection and Regret

The Espresso Obsession: A Loop of Perfection and Regret

The espresso obsession isn’t just about coffee—it’s a cycle of obsession, upgrade, and disillusionment. It starts with a “starter setup,” a modest machine and a decent grinder, followed by a binge of tutorials on puck prep, distribution, and water chemistry. You’re not just learning to pull a shot; you’re unraveling the mysteries of extraction, pressure profiling, and the moon’s gravitational pull. After weeks of practice, you hit your first decent shot, convinced you’ve cracked the code. But then you realize the machine isn’t the problem. The grinder? The beans? The roast? The moment you upgrade, you’re back to square one,…
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