differences

The KALDI WIDE 300g Roaster’s Secret Weapon: Blower vs. Extractor Setup

The KALDI WIDE 300g Roaster’s Secret Weapon: Blower vs. Extractor Setup

There’s a quiet battle happening inside every gas roaster: the war between blowing air in and pulling it out. For the KALDI WIDE 300g, this isn’t just about smoke management—it’s a strategic choice that shapes the roast’s outcome. Some setups push air back into the drum, others pull it out. Which one wins? The answer lies in control, consistency, and how well you can tame the chaos of heat and humidity. Blowers, like the DIY builds referenced, force air into the roaster, creating turbulence that can accelerate cooling. This works well for rapid temperature drops, but it risks uneven heat…
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Skywalker v2 vs Behmor: Which Roaster Fits Your Espresso Obsession?

Skywalker v2 vs Behmor: Which Roaster Fits Your Espresso Obsession?

When choosing between the Skywalker v2 and Behmor for your first espresso roast, the decision hinges on a few key factors: simplicity, consistency, and the balance between control and complexity. Both machines excel at darker roasts, but their design philosophies diverge sharply. The Behmor is a no-frills workhorse, built for reliability and ease of use, while the Skywalker v2 offers advanced features at the cost of a steeper learning curve. If you’re prioritizing straightforward operation and minimal maintenance, the Behmor’s intuitive interface and robust build make it a safer bet. Its PID control ensures even heat distribution, which is critical…
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Degassing Bags: The Secret to Fresh Roasts (And How to Save)

Degassing Bags: The Secret to Fresh Roasts (And How to Save)

Get ready to sip on this: If you’re roasting your own beans, you’re already ahead of the game. But here’s the catch—degassing isn’t just a step; it’s a ritual that separates mediocre batches from ones that sing with flavor. The Behmor 2000ab plus is a beast in the roastery, but its true potential hinges on what happens after the roast. You’ve probably noticed that freshly roasted beans release volatile compounds, turning them from vibrant to stale in days. That’s where degassing bags come in—but at $1 per bag? That’s a toll even for a coffee geek. Valved bags are designed…
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Mold Inside a Specialty Bean: How Concerned Should You Be?

Mold Inside a Specialty Bean: How Concerned Should You Be?

There’s something brewing in the world of specialty coffee that’s both alarming and oddly fascinating: the discovery of internal mold in a bean that should have been pristine. You’ve probably seen the photos—tiny worms tunneling through the bean, leaving behind a fuzzy, greenish residue. The bean itself looks fine on the outside, but the damage is done. For coffee lovers, this raises a pressing question: is this a rare flaw, a sign of poor quality, or a red flag for safety? The truth is, internal mold in specialty beans is extremely rare—but not impossible. Specialty roasters typically source beans from…
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Why the Paper Filter in Your Moka Pot is Sabotaging Your Coffee

Why the Paper Filter in Your Moka Pot is Sabotaging Your Coffee

Pour yourself a cup for this one: If you’re chasing a cleaner cup from your Moka pot, adding a paper filter might be the wrong move. A Reddit user’s experiment—brewing eight cups in one morning with varying grind sizes—reveals a stark truth: paper filters strip flavor, amplify acidity, and leave you with a cup that feels like a compromise. The setup? A Bialetti 2-cup Porlex mini II grinder, set to 750μm for coarse grinds, paired with dark roasts that dominate their palate. The goal? To test whether a paper filter could elevate the Moka pot’s output. The result? A bitter,…
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Three Powerful Reasons to Invest in a Reusable Coffee Mug Today

Three Powerful Reasons to Invest in a Reusable Coffee Mug Today

The environmental crisis is upon us, and it's up to each of us to make a difference. If you're unsure about how to contribute, start at home by making eco-friendly choices that can have a significant impact on our planet. One such choice is investing in a reusable coffee mug. Below are three compelling reasons why everyone should own one. First off, let's tackle the elephant in the room - landfill waste. Disposable paper cups from cafes may seem like an innocuous part of daily life, but they contribute to massive amounts of pollution worldwide. These cups are not typically…
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Nestlé Ponders Over Potential Sale of Blue Bottle Coffee: A Shift in the Specialty Coffee Landscape?

Nestlé Ponders Over Potential Sale of Blue Bottle Coffee: A Shift in the Specialty Coffee Landscape?

Swiss giant Nestlé, known for its vast coffee portfolio, is reportedly considering offloading Blue Bottle Coffee. According to Reuters, three anonymous sources confirm that Nestlé is working with an investment bank to assess various options, including a potential sale of Blue Bottle. This move comes as no surprise given the trend towards consolidation in the specialty coffee sector. Established in Oakland, California, Blue Bottle Coffee was acquired by Nestlé in 2017 for around $700 million, causing a stir in the world of specialty coffee. The deal marked another step in the big-money consolidation trend that has been sweeping through craft-focused…
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Master the Balanced Flavor of a Cortado: A Guide for Coffee Connoisseurs

Master the Balanced Flavor of a Cortado: A Guide for Coffee Connoisseurs

If you're a coffee lover and haven't yet tried a cortado, you're missing out. This 50/50 blend of espresso and steamed milk is a game-changer in the world of specialty coffees. Let's dive into the origins, characteristics, and differences between the cortado and other popular café classics. The cortado hails from the Basque region of Spain and translates to "to cut," as the espresso is balanced by an equal amount of milk. The drink is typically made with a 2-ounce double shot of espresso and 2 ounces of lightly warmed milk. Its name was popularized in San Francisco's Blue Bottle…
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Master Home Brewing: James Hoffmann’s Guide to Perfect Coffee

Master Home Brewing: James Hoffmann’s Guide to Perfect Coffee

The escalating cost of coffee outings has led many to consider brewing at home. But, with the right knowledge, you can create a delicious cup without breaking the bank. We spoke with James Hoffmann, author of "How to Make the Best Coffee at Home" and founder of the YouTube channel Flat White, to learn his secrets for perfecting your home brew. The key to an exceptional coffee experience lies in investing in a good grinder and choosing quality beans. "If you can invest just a little bit one time in a grinder that’s going to unlock coffee brewing for you,"…
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Mastering the Art of Home Espresso: A Guide from a Coffee Pro

Mastering the Art of Home Espresso: A Guide from a Coffee Pro

Brewing the perfect espresso shot at home might seem intimidating, but it doesn't have to be. Kaleena Teoh, co-founder of Coffee Project New York, shares her expertise on how to achieve barista-quality espresso using your existing equipment. Espresso is a precise brewing method that involves forcing hot water through finely ground coffee beans under pressure. Contrary to popular belief, you don't need expensive gear to produce quality espresso at home. The key factors are maintaining consistent pressure and temperature throughout the process. Firstly, ensure your espresso machine (or even a portable option) can maintain both pressure and temperature during brewing.…
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