acidity

First Shot, No Drama: How I Mastered the Breville Barista Touch

First Shot, No Drama: How I Mastered the Breville Barista Touch

Pour yourself a cup for this one: After months of sputtering steam and water everywhere, I finally pulled a shot that didn’t feel like a science experiment. The Breville Barista Touch isn’t magic—it’s a tool, and like any tool, it demands respect. My setup? A 54mm Naked Portafilter, a high extraction basket, and a kitchen sink of patience. No fancy gadgets yet—just a toothpick as a WDT tool and the stock tamper. Yeah, it’s clunky. But here’s the thing: this shot wasn’t perfect. It had a thin crema, maybe too much or too little. But it didn’t flood the counter…
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5 Months In: My At-Home Espresso Revelation

5 Months In: My At-Home Espresso Revelation

Real talk: After five months of espresso obsession, I’ve learned that the path to greatness isn’t about chasing perfection—it’s about embracing the mess. I spent $100 on beans and a week of caffeine-fueled trial and error to nail the grind setting, only to realize no one talks about this hidden cost of espresso ownership. The truth? It’s not just about the machine. Early on, I was fixated on metrics: 18 grams in under 30 seconds, perfect extraction. But by week three, I was questioning if I’d ever master it. Was I just developing a bias for my own brews? (Spoiler:…
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Crushes, Coffee, and the Secret to Savoring the Process

Crushes, Coffee, and the Secret to Savoring the Process

There's something about the way espresso clicks—like a perfectly timed heartbeat. It’s not just the bitterness or the ritual, but the way it hums with intention. Meet someone who loves it, and suddenly you’re drawn into a world where pressure, precision, and passion collide. This isn’t just about coffee; it’s about the stories people attach to it. The story starts with a crush, of course. A friend’s birthday party, a guy who talks about espresso like it’s a language, and a brain that short-circuits at the mention of “dialing in.” You’re left staring into a cup, wondering if you’re missing…
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The Espresso Machine Dilemma: Worth It or Not?

The Espresso Machine Dilemma: Worth It or Not?

If you’ve ever sipped an iced latte and wondered why it tastes like a dream, you’re not alone. That perfect balance of bold coffee, creamy milk, and just the right amount of bitterness? It’s often born from an espresso machine. But for those who crave that richness without the hassle, the question lingers: is an espresso machine worth the investment? The allure of real espresso starts with its extraction method. Unlike K-cups, which rely on pre-packaged grounds and low pressure, true espresso machines force water through finely ground beans at high pressure—creating a concentrated shot with nuanced flavors. The user’s…
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The 2025 Coffee Gear That Redefined Home Brewing

The 2025 Coffee Gear That Redefined Home Brewing

Here’s what your coffee gear cravings might look like in 2025: a blend of precision, simplicity, and unexpected elegance. As we wrap up the year, the most talked-about coffee equipment—from grinders to espresso machines—showed how innovation can turn routine rituals into moments of joy. These reviews didn’t just test gear; they redefined what’s possible in your kitchen. The Timemore Sculptor 078S Grinder stood out for its ability to adapt to every brewing method, from pour-over to espresso. Its design isn’t just about function—it’s a conversation between form and performance. When tested by Barista Magazine’s Vasileia Fanarioti, it proved that a…
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Coffiyeh: Where Coffee Meets Culture and Community

Coffiyeh: Where Coffee Meets Culture and Community

There’s something quietly revolutionary about a coffee cart that turns every sip into a story. Sajah Abdelghani’s Coffiyeh isn’t just about beans and steam—it’s a mobile museum of Palestinian heritage, served in a kuffiyeh-inspired name and crafted with rose, cardamom, and pistachio. Launched in November 2024 in northern New Jersey, this venture isn’t just about coffee; it’s about reclaiming narrative in a world that often overlooks Palestinian voices. Sajah, who grew up steeped in Middle Eastern flavors, says her coffee is a “sensory and cultural experience”—a phrase that feels both poetic and precise. The roots of Coffiyeh are as personal…
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How Specialty Coffee Roasters Can Lead the Innovation Revolution

How Specialty Coffee Roasters Can Lead the Innovation Revolution

Specialty coffee’s early focus on quality is no longer enough. Market consolidation limits risk-taking, creating space for independent brands to lead meaningful change. As giants like Keurig Dr Pepper acquire JDE Peet’s in a $18bn deal, the industry’s power dynamics shift. Consolidation breeds caution, but it also opens a window for roasters to redefine what innovation means. The stakes are high: without bold moves, the sector risks becoming a commodity battleground. Real innovation in specialty coffee isn’t about flashy gimmicks—it’s about solving real problems. Partnering with producers to tackle overripe cherries through fermentation, as Mió and Coffee Sensorium did, turns…
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Play Coffee’s Laguna Beach Flagship: Where Espresso Meets Artisan Craft

Play Coffee’s Laguna Beach Flagship: Where Espresso Meets Artisan Craft

Real talk: Laguna Beach isn’t just a postcard—it’s a new coffee epicenter. The opening of Play Coffee’s flagship in this coastal enclave isn’t just about beans; it’s about redefining what a café can be. Here, espresso isn’t a menu item—it’s a statement. The shop’s focus? Precision. Every shot is pulled on a La Marzocco Leva X, paired with a Weber Workshops EG-1 grinder, calibrated to extract clarity and nuance from single-origin coffees. Founder Leon Wansikehian calls it “a heightened level of focus,” offering four to six espresso recipes at a time, each with unique pressure profiles to amplify bright acidity.…
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How Specialty Roasters Can Innovate Without Losing Their Soul

How Specialty Roasters Can Innovate Without Losing Their Soul

Here’s what specialty roasters must do to stay ahead: innovate without losing authenticity. The specialty coffee world once thrived on quality and traceability, but today’s market demands more. Consolidation, like Keurig’s $18bn acquisition of JDE Peet’s, has shifted power dynamics, pushing big players toward risk-averse strategies. For smaller roasters, this is a chance to redefine the game. Innovation here isn’t about flashy gimmicks—it’s about solving real problems while staying true to the craft. Consider Assembly Coffee’s bold move: partnering with Brazilian farm Mió and the Coffee Sensorium to repurpose overripe cherries through controlled fermentation. The result? A limited-edition trio of…
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A New Brew: Coffee and Fig Merge in a 50/50 Breakthrough

A New Brew: Coffee and Fig Merge in a 50/50 Breakthrough

This might just change your routine: A 50/50 coffee-fig blend is redefining how we sip. Northshore Specialty Coffee and FigBrew have teamed up to create the first collaborative blend pairing premium Guatemalan beans with roasted fig—a move that’s as bold as it is practical. The result? A drink that tackles coffee’s notorious acidity and jittery side while keeping the ritual intact. The partnership isn’t just about flavor. It’s a direct response to a growing crisis: 55% of coffee drinkers struggle with digestive discomfort, and climate change threatens 50% of coffee-growing land by 2050. Northshore, known for its obsessive attention to…
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