Coffee Facts

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

The Office Coffee Corner Just Got a Major Upgrade

The Office Coffee Corner Just Got a Major Upgrade

The verdict is in: the office coffee corner just transformed. After weeks of testing, the Jura espresso machine has become the quiet revolution in our workspace. Colleagues who once relied on lukewarm drip coffee now swear by the creamy, bold notes of the Jura—even when they’re still fumbling with extraction times. The contrast is undeniable. It’s not just about the machine; it’s about how it’s reshaping our coffee culture. The Jura’s impact is amplified by a simple truth: quality coffee doesn’t need perfect technique to shine. While some colleagues still tweak their shots, others just let the machine do the…
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Can Diluted Distilled Water Save Your Espresso Machine Without Sacrificing Flavor?

Can Diluted Distilled Water Save Your Espresso Machine Without Sacrificing Flavor?

Pour yourself a cup for this one: The battle between distilled water and mineral-rich tap water is more than a debate—it’s a chemistry experiment with your espresso machine’s longevity and your cup’s character. After years of limestone buildup in your Lelit Mara, you’re facing a dilemma: pure distilled water strips minerals but protects your boiler, while tap or mineral water risks scale but enhances extraction. The fix? A middle ground. Mixing distilled with soft mineral or tap water could be the answer, but the question remains: Does it compromise the coffee’s soul? The science is clear: Scale forms when calcium…
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The MaraX Reborn: A Coffee Machine’s Hardware Makeover

The MaraX Reborn: A Coffee Machine’s Hardware Makeover

There’s something brewing in the world of coffee gear that’s rewriting the rules. A Lelit MaraX—once a modest heat-exchanger machine—has been transformed into a precision instrument through a full hardware and software overhaul. The result? A system that rivals machines costing three times as much, all built from scratch. This isn’t just about control; it’s about redefining what’s possible with a little ingenuity and a lot of solder. At the heart of this upgrade is a custom PCB powered by an ESP32 microcontroller. It’s the brain behind pressure profiling, allowing real-time pump adjustments for long pre-infusions or declining pressure shots.…
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When the Grind Goes Wrong: A Pourover Lesson in Coffee Science

When the Grind Goes Wrong: A Pourover Lesson in Coffee Science

Here’s what you need to know: A single variable—grind size—can unravel a perfectly balanced cup of coffee. Last week, I accidentally ground my beans for espresso instead of pourover, then forced the brew anyway. The result? A cup so flawed it felt like a science experiment gone sideways. The lesson? Grind size isn’t just a detail—it’s the backbone of extraction. Espresso grinds are ultra-fine, designed to compact under pressure and extract quickly. Pour-over methods, like the V60, rely on slower, more even water flow through a coarser bed. When I used espresso grinds, the water struggled to pass through, leading…
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The Cool Truth: Why Specialty Coffee Reveals Its Best Flavor When It’s Not Hot

The Cool Truth: Why Specialty Coffee Reveals Its Best Flavor When It’s Not Hot

This is worth savoring: The moment specialty coffee reaches its coolest state, it unveils a flavor complexity that hot temperatures obscure. For decades, the industry conditioned us to drink coffee hot, but the truth is, the best coffees only fully express themselves when they cool. The science is clear: as coffee cools, volatile compounds that carry sweetness, fruitiness, and floral notes become detectable, while bitterness and harshness dissipate. This isn’t just about taste—it’s about unlocking the terroir-driven story of each bean. The “drink it hot” mantra was born from necessity, not indulgence. In commercial coffee’s early days, high temperatures masked…
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Coffee Industry Shakes Up with Awards, Challenges, and a Bold Pricing Shift

Coffee Industry Shakes Up with Awards, Challenges, and a Bold Pricing Shift

The coffee world is buzzing with big news, from prestigious awards to a brewing revolution. A blind tasting this fall crowned the 2026 Good Food Awards finalists, spotlighting names like Equator Coffees and Little Waves Coffee Roasters—proof that specialty coffee is finally getting its due. Meanwhile, Onyx Coffee Lab’s semifinalist status for a James Beard Award marks a seismic shift: coffee bars are no longer an afterthought in the culinary world. These wins signal a broader cultural shift, where coffee isn’t just a drink but a craft, and its makers are earning their place at the table. But the industry…
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The Brewers and Tools Redefining Coffee Extraction Today

The Brewers and Tools Redefining Coffee Extraction Today

If you’ve noticed a shift in coffee brewing, it’s not just about beans or grind size—it’s about control. Baristas are redefining extraction through tools that let them fine-tune flow, temperature, and particle distribution with surgical precision. Competitions like the World Brewers Cup (WBrC) are accelerating this evolution, pushing hybrid brewers and data-driven gadgets into mainstream use. The result? A new era of coffee where consistency and complexity collide. Hybrid brewers like the Hario Switch and the SOLO dripper are now staples. The Switch, which toggles between immersion and pour-over, lets baristas experiment with body and clarity. The SOLO, designed by…
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Colombia’s Co-Fermented Coffee Revolution: How Innovation is Redefining the Cup

Colombia’s Co-Fermented Coffee Revolution: How Innovation is Redefining the Cup

Colombia’s coffee scene is undergoing a radical transformation. Once synonymous with clean, washed coffees that defined its global reputation, the country is now leading the charge in co-fermented experiments. These coffees, which blend coffee mucilage with external organic substrates like fruit pulp or cacao, are reshaping what Colombian coffee can deliver. The shift isn’t just about flavor—it’s a strategic move to differentiate in a saturated market and prove that innovation can coexist with tradition. For decades, Colombia’s coffee identity was built on precision and consistency. The FNC’s infrastructure investments standardized washed processing, creating a reputation for mild, clean profiles. But…
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Coffee Packaging That Defines Your Brand

Coffee Packaging That Defines Your Brand

Coffee packaging isn’t just about keeping beans fresh—it’s a silent ambassador for your brand. In a world where specialty coffee is a lifestyle, packaging has evolved from a functional container to a storytelling tool that shapes first impressions and builds loyalty. Today’s consumers aren’t just buying coffee; they’re investing in a narrative. A well-designed package communicates identity, values, and quality in an instant, turning a simple bag into a cultural statement. The shift from basic kraft bags to experimental formats like VHS-inspired boxes, cigarette-style packs, and translucent windows reflects a maturing industry willing to take risks. Yet innovation alone isn’t…
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FairWave Coffee Collective Acquires Joe Van Gogh to Expand Regional Reach

FairWave Coffee Collective Acquires Joe Van Gogh to Expand Regional Reach

FairWave Specialty Coffee Collective is making its move. The growing coffee collective, already expanding across the Southeast with its 2025 acquisition of Raleigh’s Black Coffee, has just added another name to its roster: Joe Van Gogh Coffee. Based in North Carolina, Joe Van Gogh has carved a niche with its artisanal approach and community-focused cafes. This acquisition isn’t just about scale—it’s about strategy. FairWave’s move signals a clear shift in the specialty coffee landscape. By integrating Joe Van Gogh’s local presence and brand equity, the collective is deepening its foothold in a market already ripe for growth. The coffee industry…
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