alchemy

First Roast Lessons: Ethiopian Guji’s Bold Awakening

First Roast Lessons: Ethiopian Guji’s Bold Awakening

Coffee lovers, wine enthusiasts, tea devotees—here’s a lesson in humility and fire. My first roast attempt with Ethiopian Guji was a masterclass in chaos, blending ambition with rookie mistakes. I chased a light roast, but the machine’s heat and my nerves conspired to deliver something darker than intended. The result? A bold, smoky profile that defies expectations, proving that even flawed experiments can spark revelation. The SR800’s drum spun faster than I’d anticipated, turning 225g of green beans into 188g of roasted coffee in a blur of timing and tension. I’d mapped out the roast curve, yet the process felt…
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Why Your Espresso Machine Might Be the Real Problem

Why Your Espresso Machine Might Be the Real Problem

If you’ve ever wondered why your home espresso shots taste like battery acid, you’re not alone. Last year, I returned from Italy with a newfound obsession for espresso—only to realize my Bambino Plus and DF54 setup was holding me back. For months, I battled sour, under-extracted shots that left me questioning my beans, my grinder, or my own skills. The truth? My machine was the culprit. The Bambino Plus is a reliable workhorse, but its single boiler and limited control mean it’s a one-trick pony. My shots would hit 20 seconds and taste like vinegar, or drag to 35 seconds…
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Mastering Latte Art: A Breville Barista Express Journey

Mastering Latte Art: A Breville Barista Express Journey

Consider this your morning briefing: After four months of relentless practice, I finally cracked latte art—sort of. My fiancée gifted me a Breville Barista Express for my birthday, and since then, I’ve been obsessed with turning mediocre coffee into something resembling art. The machine’s built-in grinder delivers consistent results, though it struggles with ultra-fine grinds for certain beans, which I’ve since supplemented with a hand grinder. The real test? Steaming and pouring. Oat milk, my preferred choice, is a stubborn beast—its earthy notes clash with the coffee’s aroma, but I’ve learned to embrace the balance. Full-fat milk steams easily, but…
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Standing Wave Coffee: Ripping Through Pittsburgh’s Coffee Rush

Standing Wave Coffee: Ripping Through Pittsburgh’s Coffee Rush

If you haven’t heard yet, Pittsburgh’s coffee scene just got a wild card. Standing Wave Coffee isn’t just another café—it’s a high-octane blend of outdoor grit, artisanal roasting, and a dash of irreverent swagger. Nestled on Sarah Street, the spot pulses with the hum of a Probat P12 machine, a canoe dangling from the ceiling, and a bar crafted from natural wood paneling that feels less like a coffee shop and more like a riverboat captain’s quarters. Colin Frye, co-owner and self-proclaimed river guide, isn’t here to play it safe. He’s here to make coffee that tastes like the wild,…
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Reviving Fair Trade: A Coffee Entrepreneur’s Quest to Redefine the Supply Chain

Reviving Fair Trade: A Coffee Entrepreneur’s Quest to Redefine the Supply Chain

This is worth savoring: A month in Africa’s coffee heartlands revealed a stark truth—small farmers are getting less than 10% of the retail price. The same inequity echoes in South and Central America, where language, culture, and geography make operations more feasible but ethics remain unaddressed. My mission? To build a processing plant and export brand that pays farmers a living wage. I’m not the first to dream this, but I’m determined to turn the tide. The coffee world is built on a broken pyramid. Farmers, who bear the labor and risk, often earn less than a day’s wage for…
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Rising Star of Turkish Coffee: Hüseyin Rahimler at Fabriek Roasting Co., Bursa

Rising Star of Turkish Coffee: Hüseyin Rahimler at Fabriek Roasting Co., Bursa

At just 25, Hüseyin Rahimler has already made waves in Turkey’s specialty coffee scene. Based in Bursa, he's a barista and instructor at Fabriek Roasting Co., where he balances daily service with education and events. His passion for growing his skills and sharing knowledge makes him one of the most engaging young professionals in Turkish coffee today. In 2024, Hüseyin became the Turkish Latte Art Champion, a title that opened the door to the world stage and reshaped how he sees the craft. His preparation was months of focused training and passion – a routine that reflects his athletic background…
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Purifying Perfection: How Water Filtration Transformed My Espresso Experience

Purifying Perfection: How Water Filtration Transformed My Espresso Experience

### Purifying Perfection: How Water Filtration Transformed My Espresso Experience In the world of gourmet coffee, where every detail matters, discovering a simple yet profound solution can be as exhilarating as it is transformative. For me, that moment arrived when I realized that water filtration was not just an option but a necessity for maintaining the pristine performance of my beloved espresso machine. The journey from tepid to stellar began with a single filter and has since elevated every cup I brew. The Essence of Purity Water, in its purest form, is the unassuming hero behind every great cup of…
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