acidity

The Gemilai Ele: A Game-Changer for Coffee Enthusiasts

The Gemilai Ele: A Game-Changer for Coffee Enthusiasts

If you're tired of compromising on coffee quality, the Gemilai Ele might be the upgrade you’ve been waiting for. This machine isn’t just another gadget—it’s a masterclass in blending functionality with sleek design. After years of using a Bambino Plus and Breville Smart Grinder Pro, I finally found a machine that matches my obsession with precision and control. The Gemilai Ele’s combination of a brew boiler, thermoblock steam system, and integrated group head heating is a revelation. It’s not just about speed; it’s about consistency. Every cup feels like a symphony of variables tuned to perfection. The real standout? Adjustable…
Read More
The Forgotten Flavor of 1942: How Soldiers Drank Coffee During WWII

The Forgotten Flavor of 1942: How Soldiers Drank Coffee During WWII

Real talk: When America plunged into WWII, coffee wasn’t just a morning ritual—it was a war effort. By 1942, the U.S. military had commandeered coffee production to fuel troops, and the result? A bland, industrial brew that prioritized fuel over flavor. Brazilian beans dominated the supply chain, harvested in massive quantities to meet demand. Instant coffee, pioneered by Maxwell House and others, became the norm, but it wasn’t the creamy, aromatic stuff we know today. It was more like a thick, bitter sludge—something soldiers would have sipped from tin mugs while waiting at train depots to ship out. The problem?…
Read More
The Velvet Ember: A Savory Coffee That Defies Tradition

The Velvet Ember: A Savory Coffee That Defies Tradition

There’s something brewing in the world of coffee—something that refuses to play nice with the sweet-syrupy status quo. Enter The Velvet Ember, a savory, smoked espresso emulsion that marries fat, heat, and smoke in a way that feels both audacious and inevitable. It’s not about masking bitterness or adding sugar—it’s about creating a tension between richness and acidity that lingers long after the last sip. The foundation is Davidoff Espresso 57, a dark roast that commands respect with its boldness. You won’t find this in a latte; it’s the backbone of a recipe that dares to challenge the norms of…
Read More
The Barista Who Brews Norway’s Future

The Barista Who Brews Norway’s Future

Listen up: Erlend Wessel-Berg isn’t just a barista—he’s a force reshaping Norway’s coffee scene. With titles like 2019 Norwegian Brewers Cup champion and 2025 Barista Championship winner under his belt, he’s not just mastering technique; he’s redefining what it means to honor coffee. His journey began in Trondheim, where childhood curiosity about coffee turned into a lifelong obsession. As a kid, he’d dip sugar cubes into his parents’ cups, a clumsy attempt to belong to a ritual he barely understood. That early fascination evolved into a career, fueled by his sister’s introduction to specialty coffee and a part-time barista job…
Read More
Mushroom Coffee Is Here—And Cafés Are Taking Notice

Mushroom Coffee Is Here—And Cafés Are Taking Notice

Listen up: Mushroom coffee isn’t a gimmick—it’s a seismic shift in how we think about caffeine. Once a niche curiosity, it’s now a fixture in wellness circles and café menus, blending the ritual of coffee with the promise of functional benefits. For café owners, this trend isn’t just about staying relevant; it’s about redefining what “coffee” can mean. The question isn’t whether mushroom coffee belongs in your menu—it’s how you position it to resonate with your customers. Mushroom coffee isn’t brewed from fungi but crafted by mixing ground coffee with powdered extracts of functional mushrooms like lion’s mane, reishi, or…
Read More
Savoring the Moment: Grant Garry’s ‘Room for Cream’ Invites You to Slow Down with Coffee

Savoring the Moment: Grant Garry’s ‘Room for Cream’ Invites You to Slow Down with Coffee

Listen up: Coffee isn’t just a drink—it’s a ritual, a conversation, a quiet rebellion against the rush of modern life. Grant Garry’s new web series Room for Cream isn’t about brewing techniques or bean origins. It’s about pausing, sipping, and letting coffee be the spark for something deeper. Launching in early February, the series invites viewers to trade speed for presence, turning each cup into a moment of connection. Garry’s inspiration came from a simple act: turning off the TV and savoring his morning coffee. “I needed to follow my curiosity,” he says. That curiosity became Room for Cream, a…
Read More
A 2025 Red Wine That’s Smashing the Price Tag

A 2025 Red Wine That’s Smashing the Price Tag

If you’re hunting for a red that’s both thrilling and wallet-friendly, look no further. The 2019 ColleMassari Montecucco Rosso Riserva is a revelation—a Tuscan gem that’s already outperforming its price tag. Nestled near Montalcino, this wine hails from a rising star in Italy’s wine world. It’s a Sangiovese-driven blend, with 10% Colorino and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon lending depth and structure. Aged in wood, it’s a dry, medium-dark red with a ruby hue and purple undertones. This isn’t just another Tuscan blend. The nose is a masterclass in balance—red fruit, eucalyptus, candied apple, and a whisper of cedar. The palate is…
Read More
Les Vieilles Vignes: A Pouilly-Fuisse That Defies Time

Les Vieilles Vignes: A Pouilly-Fuisse That Defies Time

There’s something uncanny about the 2019 Vincent Girardin Pouilly-Fuisse Les Vieilles Vignes. It’s not just a wine—it’s a conversation between terroir and time, unfolding in layers that feel both immediate and elusive. This Chardonnay, sourced from biodynamically farmed vines averaging 50 years old, arrives with a nose that teeters between sharp and soft, offering citrus zest and a whisper of plastic—a detail that might unsettle, but it’s part of the wine’s enigmatic charm. Let it breathe, and it transforms, revealing crystallized vanilla and toasted brioche, as though the air itself is unlocking its secrets. The palate is a study in…
Read More
A Young Chianti Classico That Drinks Like a Mature Vintage

A Young Chianti Classico That Drinks Like a Mature Vintage

Listen up: This 2021 Ruffino Riserva Ducale isn’t just another bottle from Costco—it’s a revelation in disguise. Priced to please, it’s a textbook example of how value and quality can coexist. Decanted slowly over an hour, the wine revealed layers that defied its youth. Medium to deep ruby hues hinted at a wine built for patience, while the nose delivered a symphony of black cherry, blackberry, and clove, with unexpected notes of sandalwood and wood smoke. It’s a rare balance of high acidity and silky tannins, making it both vibrant and polished. The real magic unfolded when paired with amatriciana…
Read More
A 25-Year-Old Chardonnay’s Quiet Revelation

A 25-Year-Old Chardonnay’s Quiet Revelation

Time to spill: A bottle of Mayacamas Chardonnay, buried in a fridge for two decades, emerged as a lesson in patience and the alchemy of time. Tasted recently, it delivered a nose of peaches, orange zest, and caramel, with a whisper of toffee. On the palate, it unfolded into a tapestry of green apple, almond, and that elusive balance between sweetness and acidity. It wasn’t vinegar—just a wine that had matured into something unexpected. The key? It wasn’t about forceful tannins or bold fruit; it was about the quiet evolution of flavors, letting the oak and terroir speak through the…
Read More