Coffee Facts

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

The Mushroom Coffee Revolution: A Brew for Brainpower and Beyond

The Mushroom Coffee Revolution: A Brew for Brainpower and Beyond

If you've ever wondered what coffee tastes like after a trip to the forest floor, you’re not alone. Mushroom coffee—blended with adaptogens like Lion’s Mane, Reishi, and Cordyceps—isn’t just a wellness trend; it’s a caffeine alternative with a growing cult following. For some, it’s about swapping out the jitters for a more balanced energy boost. For others, it’s about unlocking cognitive clarity without the crash. But with so many options, how do you know which ones deliver on the promise? The best mushroom coffees strike a balance between familiar coffee notes and subtle fungal undertones. Brands like Shroomi and Atlas+…
Read More
The Essentials of Making Espresso at Home

The Essentials of Making Espresso at Home

Coffee lovers, wine enthusiasts, tea devotees—here’s how to master espresso without the headache. You don’t need a PhD in chemistry to pull a shot; just a few key tools and a willingness to experiment. The process is simple: water pushes through ground coffee, extracting flavor in seconds. But the devil is in the details, and the right gear can turn a decent cup into something extraordinary. Start with a machine that fits your kitchen and budget. The Breville Bambino Plus is a classic entry point—user-friendly, compact, and surprisingly capable. It’s not a luxury appliance, but it’s far from a gimmick.…
Read More
Caffeine’s Cognitive Edge: Why Coffee Might Shield Your Brain From Dementia

Caffeine’s Cognitive Edge: Why Coffee Might Shield Your Brain From Dementia

Coffee lovers, wine enthusiasts, tea devotees—your daily ritual might be more than just a morning habit. A landmark study tracking 131,820 people over 43 years reveals a startling link: two to three cups of caffeinated coffee or one to two cups of tea daily could lower dementia risk by up to 25%. The findings, published in JAMA, suggest caffeine’s role in preserving cognitive function isn’t just anecdotal. Researchers adjusted for factors like diet, education, and family history, ensuring the results weren’t skewed by other variables. Even those with genetic risks for Alzheimer’s saw benefits, hinting at caffeine’s potential as a…
Read More
San Francisco’s Coffee Scene: Where Culture Meets Craft

San Francisco’s Coffee Scene: Where Culture Meets Craft

San Francisco’s coffee culture is a testament to innovation and tradition, blending historic roots with cutting-edge experimentation. From the birth of “waves of coffee” to the rise of Yemeni beans on the West Coast, the city remains a global epicenter for specialty coffee. Now, 17 standout shops keep the torch burning, each offering a unique chapter in this ever-evolving story. At Caffe Trieste, mosaic-tiled tables outside echo the legacy of The Godfather and its North Beach roots. While the coffee is dark and sweet, the ambiance—paired with cannoli and parrot calls—captures a timeless San Francisco charm. Meanwhile, Capital One’s Union…
Read More
Colombian Coffee Takes Center Stage at Las Vegas’ Iwana Coffee

Colombian Coffee Takes Center Stage at Las Vegas’ Iwana Coffee

Consider this your morning briefing: Las Vegas is getting a fresh shot of Colombian coffee. The Iwana Coffee shop in the Arts District isn’t just serving brews—it’s redefining how specialty coffee is roasted, sourced, and experienced. Sisters Alexandra and Karol Rodriguez Borrero, who moved to the U.S. seven years ago, have turned their family’s 80-hectare Colombian farm into a blueprint for vertical integration. Now, their Las Vegas café is the first in the U.S. to roast Colombian beans in-house, collaborating with a master roaster from Colombia to unlock the full potential of their harvest. The result? A menu that’s as…
Read More
El Salvador Hosts Largest Roaster Gathering in Coffee History

El Salvador Hosts Largest Roaster Gathering in Coffee History

Time to spill: The coffee world is converging on El Salvador for its biggest roaster gathering yet. From 26–27 March 2026, the 11th edition of the Producer & Roaster Forum (PRF) will draw over 4,200 visitors, including more than 500 green buyers and roasters, with an estimated $15.7m in business deals. This isn’t just another trade show—it’s a seismic shift in how the specialty coffee industry connects. For years, PRF has disrupted the norm by hosting events in coffee-producing countries, not consumption hubs, and this year’s edition in San Salvador promises to be its most impactful yet. The event’s lineup…
Read More
The Cold Brew Bean Conundrum: Finding Your Perfect Match

The Cold Brew Bean Conundrum: Finding Your Perfect Match

Real talk: Cold brew isn’t just a trend—it’s a ritual. But here’s the kicker: the right bean can make the difference between a drink that feels like a coffee latte in disguise and one that’s a masterclass in depth. If you’re chasing body and nuance over acidity, you’re not alone. Many cold brew enthusiasts find standard beans too sharp, leaving a lingering tang that steals the show. The solution? A strategic pivot toward beans with lower acidity and richer profiles. Cold brew’s magic lies in its ability to highlight a bean’s inherent qualities without the bitterness of heat. That means…
Read More
Roasting Reveals Coffee’s Hidden Layers

Roasting Reveals Coffee’s Hidden Layers

This is worth savoring: the first time I roasted my own coffee, I didn’t expect to taste the difference. Pouring two Coffee Chronicler cups this morning—one a Sumatran Mandhelian from Happy Mug, the other a Costa Rican Honey processed anaerobic from FreshRoast—felt like unlocking a secret code. Both were extraordinary, scoring 9 to 9.5 out of 10. The Costa Rican, still resting for five days, hinted at swirling citrus, berries, and stone fruit, while the Sumatran surprised me with molasses, cinnamon, and a balance I’d never detected in a bag from a year ago. The journey began with skepticism. A…
Read More
When Natural Coffee Feels Like Washed: A Roaster’s Dilemma

When Natural Coffee Feels Like Washed: A Roaster’s Dilemma

Here’s something to stir your curiosity: You’ve just received a 30kg bag labeled as natural, but it tastes like a washed bean. The producer claims it was sun-dried with thick layers on raised beds, yet the aroma and flavor scream citrus, honey, and floral notes—nothing like the “classic” chocolate or caramel you’d expect. This isn’t just a mismatch; it’s a puzzle. The confusion stems from the blurred lines between natural and washed processing. Natural beans, fermented on the skin, often carry earthy, jammy, or tart characteristics. Washed beans, stripped of mucilage, tend to be cleaner, brighter, and more acidic. But…
Read More
Gene Cafe 101 vs. Fresh Roast SR500: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

Gene Cafe 101 vs. Fresh Roast SR500: Is the Upgrade Worth It?

When a trusted roaster reaches its limit, the decision to replace it becomes a balancing act between nostalgia and progress. Your SR500 has served reliably for a decade, but its end-of-first-crack focus and occasional haze issues signal it’s time to rethink. The Gene Cafe 101 feels like a logical next step—cheaper, more flexible, and built for indoor use with ducting. But can it match the SR500’s roast consistency for light to medium profiles? The SR500’s appeal lies in its simplicity and predictable performance, though its smoke haze can be a hassle. The Gene Cafe 101, meanwhile, offers modular design and…
Read More