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Master the Art of Cappuccino at Home: Impress Your Guests with This Step-by-Step Guide

Master the Art of Cappuccino at Home: Impress Your Guests with This Step-by-Step Guide

Cappuccinos, the beloved combination of espresso, steamed milk, and frothy foam, are a staple in coffee culture. Instead of heading to your local café every time you crave one, learn how to make it at home with this comprehensive guide. With an espresso machine, you can create cafe-quality cappuccinos right in your kitchen. The secret to making the perfect cappuccino lies in the balance between espresso, steamed milk, and foam. A traditional cappuccino has a 1:1:1 ratio, consisting of equal parts espresso, steamed milk, and foam. You can use one or two shots of espresso depending on your preference, with…
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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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The Rise of a Friendship-Fueled Winning Specialty Café in Rosenheim, Germany

The Rise of a Friendship-Fueled Winning Specialty Café in Rosenheim, Germany

In May 2024, two creative souls, Lukas Tralmer and Viktor Walther, transformed their friendship into an award-winning specialty café named 08 COFFEE. The duo, who met in Paris in 2015, brought a piece of their unique bond to Rosenheim, a Bavarian town that was soon to experience the magic of high-quality coffee and contemporary baked goods. The name "08" is a testament to the month that forged their friendship. Every August since 2017, they traveled together, exploring Iceland, Costa Rica, Korea, Turkey, and more. These trips were marked by laughter, adventures, and memories that strengthened their bond. "It's the month…
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Finding Home and Purpose Behind the Bar: Olga Kolarz of Companion Tea & Coffee, Berlin

Finding Home and Purpose Behind the Bar: Olga Kolarz of Companion Tea & Coffee, Berlin

Meet Olga Kolarz, a barista who's made a home in Berlin for over six years at Companion Tea & Coffee. Her story is one of resilience, connection, and quiet leadership - a testament to the transformative power of coffee. Originally from Toruń, Poland, Olga found in coffee more than just a career; it was a means to build her community in a city that can often feel transient. As the café's manager, she guides new team members and fosters an atmosphere where people feel seen and appreciated. The regulars who have been returning for years, still ordering their familiar drinks,…
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Renáta Hrecska-Kovacs: The Lawyer Turned Barista Transforming Hungary’s Specialty Coffee Scene

Renáta Hrecska-Kovacs: The Lawyer Turned Barista Transforming Hungary’s Specialty Coffee Scene

Renáta Hrecska-Kovacs is a force to be reckoned with in Hungary’s burgeoning specialty coffee scene. A lawyer by education and a barista by passion, she balances precision and creativity across two demanding professions that require focus and dedication. At Waycup Coffee & Deli in Budapest, she serves as a barista, trainer, consultant, and Quality Manager for Awaken Coffee Roasting, while also co-founding Cupping Club Hungary, a vibrant community gathering coffee enthusiasts to taste, learn, and share knowledge. Her impressive sensory skills have earned her multiple competition podiums, including 1st place in the 2025 Hungarian Cup Tasters Championship, 2nd in the…
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Turin’s Orso Laboratorio Caffè: A Haven for Coffee Enthusiasts, Led by Luana Lazzarone

Turin’s Orso Laboratorio Caffè: A Haven for Coffee Enthusiasts, Led by Luana Lazzarone

Luana Lazzarone's passion for coffee began in her grandparents' shop in Turin, Italy. Nine years later, she continues to shape the city's specialty coffee scene as the manager of Orso Laboratorio Caffè. Her focus on people, clarity, and daily consistency sets her apart as a barista and trainer. Orso Laboratorio Caffè is home to two locations that Luana runs with precision and passion. She balances service with team leadership, ensuring her team members feel valued and supported. Luana's technical skills are backed by her graduation from SCA Professional courses, and her experiences in competitions have marked significant moments in her…
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From Chef to Barista Champion: Laura Metcalfe’s Coffee Journey

From Chef to Barista Champion: Laura Metcalfe’s Coffee Journey

Meet Laura Metcalfe, a coffee freelancer in London who's been making waves in the specialty coffee scene for over a decade. Her passion for sharing coffee experiences with others is infectious and her competitive spirit has earned her multiple national championship titles. Let's dive into her inspiring story. Laura's love affair with coffee began at home, brewing instant coffee as a 10-year-old. But it wasn't until she tasted an Ethiopian Yirgacheffe six years ago that her passion for specialty coffee truly ignited. This delicate, tea-like cup opened her eyes to the world of complex flavors that coffee could offer, and…
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Discover Isaiah Sheese’s Coffee World: A Peek into the U.S. Barista Champ’s Passions and Rituals

Discover Isaiah Sheese’s Coffee World: A Peek into the U.S. Barista Champ’s Passions and Rituals

Ready to immerse yourself in the world of a coffee champion? Let's dive deep into the life of Isaiah Sheese, the U.S. Barista Champion who captured the title in 2023. From his coffee beginnings in Oklahoma to his triumph at the World Barista Championship, we uncover his favorite foods, coffee heroes, and personal rituals. Isaiah's Favorite Coffee Event: The World Barista Championship (WBC) is his pick for a reason—it's a global celebration of passion, dedication, creativity, and camaraderie in the coffee industry. The WBC is more than just a competition; it's a platform for connecting with fellow enthusiasts from around…
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Brazilian Deforestation Threatens the Future of Coffee and What We Can Do About It

Brazilian Deforestation Threatens the Future of Coffee and What We Can Do About It

The future of coffee is at risk due to rampant deforestation in Brazil, and we need to take action now. Etelle Higonnet, Director of Coffee Watch, explains the extent of the problem and how the industry can pave a better path forward. The Deforestation-Drought Connection Reshaping Coffee Country Satellite data reveals that between 2001 and 2023, Brazil lost over 11 million hectares of forest, with at least 312,803 hectares directly cleared for coffee cultivation. This deforestation is not just an environmental disaster—it's also causing economic turmoil. "Coffee has driven massive deforestation in Brazil, especially in the last few decades, and…
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Four Remarkable Cafés in Johannesburg: A Coffee Lover’s Guide

Four Remarkable Cafés in Johannesburg: A Coffee Lover’s Guide

Dive into the heart of Johannesburg with a vibrant café tour, where each stop offers an exquisite blend of artisanal coffee and local flair. From Kramerville to Maboneng, we uncover four exceptional cafés that redefine the coffee experience in South Africa's bustling metropolis. Father Coffee Kickstart your journey at Father Coffee, a café-concept space that fuses natural wines, specialty coffee, and minimalist design, blurring the line between everyday refreshments and sophisticated indulgence. The airy, cathedral-like interior of this Kramerville hotspot sets the stage for an unforgettable sensory experience. Their expert baristas craft espresso shots with quiet precision, ensuring every cup…
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