Coffee Facts

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

The Best Coffee in the Bay Area: A Curated Guide to the Region’s Most Dynamic Brews

The Best Coffee in the Bay Area: A Curated Guide to the Region’s Most Dynamic Brews

Here’s what you need to know: The Bay Area’s coffee scene is a kaleidoscope of innovation, from Korean-inspired roasters to Japanese avant-garde cafes. This year’s standout shops are less about trends and more about redefining what coffee can be—think co-fermented brews, experimental roasting, and hyper-local sourcing. Whether you’re chasing the boldness of a matcha-laced latte or the subtlety of a single-origin pour over, the region’s cafes are pushing boundaries with every sip. At Olivia Coffee and Flower in Oakland, the focus is on beans roasted in Korea, with a standout example being a fruit-forward blend that tastes like a pina…
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El Salvador Hosts Global Coffee Awards World Championship in March 2026

El Salvador Hosts Global Coffee Awards World Championship in March 2026

This March, El Salvador will host a landmark event for the coffee world. From 26–27 March 2026, the 11th edition of the Producer & Roaster Forum (PRF) will unfold at the Hilton Hotel in San Salvador, uniting over 4,200 visitors and 350 international buyers. The event, already a cornerstone of the coffee industry, will spotlight the Global Coffee Awards World Championship, where roasters from the US, Europe, and origin countries will vie for the title of the world’s best. PRF has long disrupted the coffee trade show model by anchoring events in coffee-producing nations. This year, El Salvador returns to…
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Mother Tongue Cafe Wins Nosh Award: East Bay’s Coffee Crown Jewel

Mother Tongue Cafe Wins Nosh Award: East Bay’s Coffee Crown Jewel

In the East Bay’s coffee wars, where roasters and cafes vie for supremacy, one name stands out: Mother Tongue Cafe & Bar. Nosh voters crowned it the best coffee shop in the region, a title that feels earned. With Berkeley and its neighbors packed with contenders, this Oakland spot’s victory isn’t just about beans—it’s about vision, execution, and a mission that transcends the cup. Owner Jen Apodaca isn’t just a coffee enthusiast; she’s a force in the industry. A certified Q-Grader and former chair of the Coffee Roasters Guild of America, she’s built her reputation on precision and passion. Her…
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Backup Power for Roasters: The UPS Debate

Backup Power for Roasters: The UPS Debate

Here’s something to stir your curiosity: a single moment of power loss can ruin a roast, turn a batch of coffee into a bitter disaster, and cost you hours of work. For roasters, especially those operating in unpredictable power grids or high-risk zones, the question isn’t whether to invest in a UPS—it’s how to choose the right one. The Reddit thread asking about UPS setups for roasters isn’t just a niche query; it’s a critical conversation about protecting your craft. The reality is, even a brief blackout can derail a roast. An 8 kg electric roaster draws significant power, and…
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The KALDI WIDE 300g Roaster’s Secret Weapon: Blower vs. Extractor Setup

The KALDI WIDE 300g Roaster’s Secret Weapon: Blower vs. Extractor Setup

There’s a quiet battle happening inside every gas roaster: the war between blowing air in and pulling it out. For the KALDI WIDE 300g, this isn’t just about smoke management—it’s a strategic choice that shapes the roast’s outcome. Some setups push air back into the drum, others pull it out. Which one wins? The answer lies in control, consistency, and how well you can tame the chaos of heat and humidity. Blowers, like the DIY builds referenced, force air into the roaster, creating turbulence that can accelerate cooling. This works well for rapid temperature drops, but it risks uneven heat…
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Le Mil’s Coffee: Bringing Bangalore’s Flavor to Your Cup

Le Mil’s Coffee: Bringing Bangalore’s Flavor to Your Cup

Time to spill: For years, I’ve chased the smoky, earthy depth of South Indian filter coffee—only to be met with flat, lifeless cups that felt like a counterfeit version of the real thing. That is, until Le Mil’s Coffee arrived on my radar. This Berkeley-based roaster isn’t just selling beans; they’re resurrecting a forgotten ritual. Their single-origin blend from Chikmagalur, a region known for its volcanic soil and coffee heritage, hits every note I’ve ever craved. The key? They’re roasting locally, not shipping frozen beans across the globe. The magic lies in the details. Le Mil’s filter coffee blend includes…
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Skywalker v2 vs Behmor: Which Roaster Fits Your Espresso Obsession?

Skywalker v2 vs Behmor: Which Roaster Fits Your Espresso Obsession?

When choosing between the Skywalker v2 and Behmor for your first espresso roast, the decision hinges on a few key factors: simplicity, consistency, and the balance between control and complexity. Both machines excel at darker roasts, but their design philosophies diverge sharply. The Behmor is a no-frills workhorse, built for reliability and ease of use, while the Skywalker v2 offers advanced features at the cost of a steeper learning curve. If you’re prioritizing straightforward operation and minimal maintenance, the Behmor’s intuitive interface and robust build make it a safer bet. Its PID control ensures even heat distribution, which is critical…
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The Secret to Less Stress in the Roaster: Which Beans Are Your Friends?

The Secret to Less Stress in the Roaster: Which Beans Are Your Friends?

Real talk: If you're roasting coffee like it's a high-stakes game, you're probably stressing over the wrong things. The truth? Some beans are built for beginners, offering a forgiving profile that lets you focus on technique without drowning in complexity. Think of it like choosing the right club in golf—game improvement irons let hacks hit straighter shots, even if they’ll never match a pro’s swing. The same logic applies to coffee. Certain origins are less fussy, more predictable, and easier to nail consistently—without needing a PhD in roasting science. The magic lies in beans with balanced acidity, moderate body, and…
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Degassing Bags: The Secret to Fresh Roasts (And How to Save)

Degassing Bags: The Secret to Fresh Roasts (And How to Save)

Get ready to sip on this: If you’re roasting your own beans, you’re already ahead of the game. But here’s the catch—degassing isn’t just a step; it’s a ritual that separates mediocre batches from ones that sing with flavor. The Behmor 2000ab plus is a beast in the roastery, but its true potential hinges on what happens after the roast. You’ve probably noticed that freshly roasted beans release volatile compounds, turning them from vibrant to stale in days. That’s where degassing bags come in—but at $1 per bag? That’s a toll even for a coffee geek. Valved bags are designed…
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Fixing the Skywalker Roaster’s Heat Shutdown: A Thermal Break Solution

Fixing the Skywalker Roaster’s Heat Shutdown: A Thermal Break Solution

If you're battling overheating issues with your Skywalker roaster, you’re not alone. A growing number of users report thermostats shutting down during long, high-intensity roasts—especially on the V1 model. The problem? Heat distortion causing false shutdowns. But there’s a fix that’s simple, effective, and worth trying. The solution hinges on a clever workaround: inserting a mica sheet between the thermostat and the roaster’s interior wall. This creates a thermal break, severing the direct heat transfer path. Mica, a naturally occurring mineral, acts as a heat-resistant barrier while allowing the thermostat to “see” only the air temperature inside the drum. Without…
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