Coffee Facts

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

The Secret to Perfect Milk in Coffee: Temperature is Everything

The Secret to Perfect Milk in Coffee: Temperature is Everything

Real talk: the secret to a velvety cappuccino lies in a precise milk temperature. Baristas are now treating it like a science, not just a guess. Milk temperature directly shapes sweetness, texture, and flavor balance—think of it as the unsung hero of your latte. A few degrees can tip the scales from creamy indulgence to bland disappointment. “It’s like scrambled eggs,” explains Charles Temkey, head of R&D at Flair Espresso. “Perfect eggs are set yet rich; overcook them, and you’re left with rubbery globs.” The same principle applies to milk: over-steaming tightens proteins, sponging out water and dulling flavor. The…
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Brewlette: A New Twist on Coffee Competition

Brewlette: A New Twist on Coffee Competition

Counter Culture Coffee is redefining competition with Brewlette, a new brewing series that blends chance and craft. By stripping away rigid rules, the initiative invites both pros and amateurs to test their skills under unpredictable conditions. The result? A spectacle where precision meets unpredictability, and luck becomes a legitimate contender in the pursuit of perfection. Brewlette’s format is as bold as its name. Competitors spin a wheel to land a random TDS target—a measure of coffee strength—then have eight minutes to brew a cup that matches it. The eight closest to the mark advance, turning the first round into a…
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Caffeinated Coffee May Lower Dementia Risk, New Study Finds

Caffeinated Coffee May Lower Dementia Risk, New Study Finds

Pour yourself a cup for this one: A massive study of over 130,000 people suggests that regular caffeinated coffee might be more than just a morning ritual—it could be a shield against dementia. Published in JAMA, the research found that those drinking 2-3 cups daily had an 18% lower risk of developing dementia compared to non-drinkers. The benefits weren’t just statistical fluff either—coffee drinkers also showed better performance on cognitive tests and lower rates of “subjective cognitive decline,” a subtle but telling sign of brain health. The study’s strength lies in its scale and longevity. Tracking data from the Nurses’…
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Iwana Coffee Unveils Colombian Gems in Las Vegas

Iwana Coffee Unveils Colombian Gems in Las Vegas

There’s something brewing in the Las Vegas Arts District—literally. Iwana Coffee, the sister-owned café that opened in mid-2024, has turned its kitchen into a lab for Colombia’s most coveted beans. With a DiedrichDR-3 roaster now humming behind the counter, the shop is crafting fresh profiles in real time, guided by a Colombia-based master roaster who once shipped beans by air to Nevada. This isn’t just about coffee—it’s about redefining how specialty beans reach the table. The space itself is a statement. White walls clash with bold purple accents, including a wall emblazoned with “Fudge Your Bad Vibes.” The color isn’t…
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Where Coffee Meets Vinyl: Pittsburgh’s New Listening Bar

Where Coffee Meets Vinyl: Pittsburgh’s New Listening Bar

Consider this your morning briefing: Pittsburgh’s newest coffee destination is more than a cup—it’s a soundtrack. Pre Amp Coffee Studio, a hybrid of specialty coffee and vinyl culture, opened in November, redefining what a café can be. Nestled in Squirrel Hill, the space is a tightrope walk between retro charm and modern precision, where warm gold tones and vintage lighting frame a wall of album art. Vinyl spins constantly, inviting patrons to sip from bar stools or lounge seats, turning the shop into a living record player. The concept is a love letter to Japanese vinyl cafes and classic diners,…
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Kloo Coffee Transforms Concentrates into Masterpieces of Flavor

Kloo Coffee Transforms Concentrates into Masterpieces of Flavor

Pour yourself a cup for this one: If you’ve ever felt like store-bought coffee concentrates are just a step above lukewarm water, you’re not alone. I’ve spent years chasing the perfect iced coffee—rotating between cold-brew machines and premade concentrates—only to be let down by bitterness, flatness, or an odd metallic tang. That changed when I stumbled on Kloo, a brand that treats coffee concentrates like fine wine. No longer do I settle for generic bitterness; Kloo’s approach is so refined, it feels like sipping a Cabernet Sauvignon in a glass. What sets Kloo apart? It starts with beans rated 85…
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Kloo Treats Coffee Like Fine Wine—Here’s Why It Stands Out

Kloo Treats Coffee Like Fine Wine—Here’s Why It Stands Out

Here’s what you need to know: Coffee isn’t just a morning ritual—it’s an experience. And Kloo is redefining how we sip on it. While most store-bought cold brews feel like a rushed compromise, Kloo approaches concentrates with the precision of a sommelier, turning them into something far more refined. The brand’s obsession with quality isn’t just marketing—it’s a philosophy. Founded by Q grader Mariella Cho, Kloo sources only specialty-grade beans, which are evaluated by experts to meet rigorous standards. These beans, rated at least 80 on the SCA scale, are then roasted and aged like wine, unlocking layers of flavor…
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AI and Specialty Coffee: The Future is Now, But at What Cost?

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

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…
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How to Calculate Shelf Life for Cold Brew Without Pasteurization

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…
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