What’s the one thing most home baristas overlook that can make or break your espresso? One thing that saved my coffee years ago was learning how to test my water. I had spent months adjusting grind size, changing beans, even questioning my espresso machine. But nothing seemed to fix that dull, sometimes bitter shot. Well,…
Ever dialed in everything… and your espresso still tasted off? When I got my brand new Barista espresso machine, I was pumped. It looked gorgeous on my counter like a mini café setup just for me. But the taste? Total letdown. I mean, the beans were freshly roasted, my grinder was calibrated, the tamp was…
Ever tried tamping espresso with a shot glass or a jar lid? About a week ago, I was cleaning out my kitchen drawer and found the old “tamper” I made when I first got into home espresso. Just a stack of coins wrapped in a paper towel held together with a bottle cap. I actually…
Not sure what pod to choose? Though Nespresso isn’t exactly my thing. I’m more of a manual brewing guy. But sometimes you’ve gotta make a few sacrifices for the greater good. Well, I can’t say it was a huge sacrifice, since I was sipping espresso after espresso for this guide. But still, testing over 30…
Ever wondered what would happen if you mixed honey and cocoa into your espresso? Since I was a kid, I’ve always loved adding honey to my tea especially when I wasn’t feeling well. But these days, I’m more of a coffee guy. One afternoon, I was watching this French barista on YouTube. Couldn’t catch a…
Craving that first sip of something cold and caffeinated? With summer right around the corner and yeah, I’m writing this in mid-April while daydreaming about patio chats and that perfect clink of ice in a glass. I mean, it’s officially time to start fantasizing about all the iced coffee drinks we’ll sip with friends while…
Is your Nespresso machine sounding more like a blender than a coffee maker? I always say this on Coffee Voilà: I’m more of an espresso machine or pour-over kind of person. But let’s be real, sometimes during summer or on those lazy mornings, I’ll grab my Nespresso machine because it’s just so easy. However, one…
Ever had coffee that tastes like dessert but with a zesty twist? If there’s one thing I’ve said more than once on Coffee Voilà, it’s that I love chocolate. And when it’s mixed with coffee? That’s heaven in a cup. But a few days ago, I was watching a YouTube video where someone casually dropped…
Ever wondered why your coffee sometimes tastes like brown water, even when you swear you did everything the same? Back in the old days before I even owned my Barista Express, my go-to was my old, beat-up Moka Pot. I loved that thing. But I started noticing something odd. Some mornings, the brew came out…
Have you ever been handed a tiny cup of coffee that feels like a warm hug? I have this Brazilian friend and every time I visit his place; he enthusiastically insists that I try his special Cafezinho. I’ll be honest: I’ve never really been into sweet coffee. I usually take mine in bold and black…