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Bambino Upgrade Dilemma: Basket, Portafilter, or Tamper?
15
Dec
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Bambino Upgrade Dilemma: Basket, Portafilter, or Tamper?

The verdict is in: Your Bambino’s upgrade path hinges on one question—basket, portafilter, or tamper? You’ve got a used machine, a mismatched tamper combo, and a laundry list of questions. The stock basket’s tapered design is already a battleground for your aftermarket metal tamper, which gets stuck and scratches the sides. The 51mm plastic one from D’Elonghi Dedica is a relic, while the 54mm metal tamper’s size mismatch is a red flag. You’re caught between fixing what’s broken or trading up. The stock portafilter’s single-serve double-wall basket is functional but limited. If you’re splitting duties with a partner who uses…
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Why Your Espresso Shots Are Diverging—and How to Fix It
15
Dec
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Why Your Espresso Shots Are Diverging—and How to Fix It

The verdict is in: inconsistency in espresso shots isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a call to action. You’ve got a Gaggia Classic Pro with PID mods and a Eureka Mignon Manuele, yet your shots are swinging between 15 seconds and 27 seconds. That’s not a fluke. It’s a red flag. The question isn’t whether you need to upgrade—it’s whether you’re missing the basics of stability. Your setup has all the right pieces, but espresso is a dance of precision. The Gaggia’s PID mods should regulate pressure, but even the best machines can waver if the boiler isn’t fully heated or…
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Skip the Sample Pour: Why You Can (And Should) Ask for a Straight Pour
05
Dec
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Skip the Sample Pour: Why You Can (And Should) Ask for a Straight Pour

Let’s talk about the awkward moment when your server holds up a wine bottle, waits for you to sniff, swirl, and nod, then pours. It’s a ritual that feels forced, especially if you’re not a wine expert. The truth? You don’t have to taste the sample. In fact, you’re allowed—and maybe even encouraged—to skip the whole thing. The process is meant to verify the wine’s integrity, not to test your palate. But if it’s making you uncomfortable, you’re not alone. The sample pour serves three purposes: confirming the bottle matches your order, checking for flaws like TCA (cork taint), VA…
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Austrian Einspänner: The Creamy Iced Coffee That’ll Elevate Your Summer
01
Dec
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Austrian Einspänner: The Creamy Iced Coffee That’ll Elevate Your Summer

Summer calls for a refreshing twist on our favorite caffeinated beverage. Enter the Einspänner, an Austrian delight that's simple yet indulgent, perfect for those scorching afternoons. Originally served hot, this coffee concoction can easily transition to iced, offering a sweet, creamy escape from your usual coffee shop order - all at a fraction of the cost. The Einspänner, translating to "one-horse carriage," was designed with practicality in mind, created for coach drivers who needed a drink they could manage one-handed while steering their horses. Today, we can appreciate its convenience as we juggle our morning commute and coffee cup alike.…
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Cincinnati Named One of the Best U.S. Cities for Coffee Lovers
01
Dec
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Cincinnati Named One of the Best U.S. Cities for Coffee Lovers

If you're a coffee enthusiast, Cincinnati might just be your next favorite city to explore. A recent study by personal finance brand WalletHub ranked the top 100 cities in the U.S. based on their coffee culture, and guess who made it to the list? That's right—Cincy came in at No. 20. The study evaluated 12 key metrics, including the number of affordable coffee shops, coffee houses, and cafés per capita, the number of coffee and tea manufacturers per capita, average price per pack of coffee, and the share of adult coffee drinkers. You can check out all the details—including the…
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Unraveling the Mystery of Your New Gongfu Teapot
01
Dec
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Unraveling the Mystery of Your New Gongfu Teapot

You've stumbled upon a unique tea experience with your new Gongfu teapot, and we're here to help you navigate this intriguing world. This traditional Chinese brewing method requires precision and patience, but the result is a rich, full-bodied cup of tea that's worth the effort. Your glass stove-top teapot with a drop-in basket is perfect for Gongfu style brewing. Unlike Western-style brewing where you steep the leaves in water and discard them, Gongfu method involves multiple infusions of the same tea leaves, extracting various flavors at each stage. The key to Gongfu lies in the proportion of tea leaves to…
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Unraveling the Enigma of Raw Pu’er: A Personal Journey
01
Dec
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Unraveling the Enigma of Raw Pu’er: A Personal Journey

You've been swept up in the raw pu'er craze, but find it disappointing. You love other teas - white, aged whites, oolongs, blacks, ripe puer, even greens - yet raw remains a mystery. It's time to dive deeper into this enigma and explore the reasons behind your lukewarm response. Raw pu'er, also known as sheng pu'er, is a unique fermented tea hailing from Yunnan province in China. Unlike other teas, it undergoes minimal processing, allowing it to age and develop complex flavors over time. However, its earthy, robust character can be an acquired taste for some. One of the challenges…
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Demystifying Wine Scores: Why Two Wines with the Same Score Can Have Different Prices
30
Nov
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Demystifying Wine Scores: Why Two Wines with the Same Score Can Have Different Prices

You've probably stumbled upon two wines with identical scores but vastly different price tags. It's baffling, right? But fear not! Let's unravel this wine-tasting mystery together. At Wine Spectator, all wines undergo blind tastings where the producer and price are concealed. Wines are grouped according to their grape varieties, vintages, and appellations. For instance, 2021 Napa Valley Cabernets and 2024 Marlborough Sauvignon Blancs are tasted separately. This setup ensures that the wines are judged based on their quality irrespective of the producer or price tag. 1. Wine tastings are blind, meaning the producer and price aren't disclosed during the evaluation…
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Fixing Loose Drum Soldered Wire on Behmor SR2020: A DIY Guide
30
Nov
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Fixing Loose Drum Soldered Wire on Behmor SR2020: A DIY Guide

If you've found yourself in a pickle with a loose red wire connecting to your Behmor SR2020 drum spinner, you're not alone. This common issue can halt your coffee roasting process, but fear not! We've got you covered on how to troubleshoot and fix it without breaking the bank on repairs or replacements. First things first, safety comes first. Ensure the machine has cooled down before opening the side panel. Once that's done, locate the loose red wire—the one responsible for powering the drum. If you're unsure about identifying wires, consult your Behmor user manual or do a quick online…
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Unraveling the Mystery of Diner-Like Coffee Roasts on an SR800
30
Nov
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Unraveling the Mystery of Diner-Like Coffee Roasts on an SR800

You've corrected your roasting errors, but now your coffee tastes like a cup from a diner—burnt and lacking complexity. Even though you've tried different beans, Nicaragua and India, they all taste the same, with varying aromas being the only difference. Let's dive into this conundrum and explore potential solutions together. You may wonder if your first crack occurring at 410/420 degrees is causing the issue, since other roasters mention their first crack happening closer to 450. However, it's essential to remember that roasting profiles can vary significantly based on factors such as bean variety, machine, and personal preference. Let's examine…
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