Are you picking the right boiler for your espresso machine? When I first got into espresso machines, I had no idea they even had boilers. And let alone that the boiler type could make or break my coffee game. Back then, I was just thrilled to pull a shot without spilling grounds everywhere. But as…
Are you craving espresso at home but think it’s out of your budget? I remember many years ago when I was a student, barely scraping by, yet still desperately needing my daily coffee fix. Cafés were a luxury, and instant coffee just wasn’t cutting it. One day, I stumbled across a small, budget-friendly espresso machine…
Ever wondered what it’s like to brew coffee with a siphon coffee maker? I still remember the first time I saw one in action. It was at this cozy little jazz bar near my city—dim lighting, soft music, and in the corner, a barista crafting coffee that looked straight out of a chemistry lab. The…
Have you ever stared at an espresso machine and wondered, “How am I supposed to use this thing?” Gosh, I remember the first time I bought my espresso machine, a shiny Breville Barista Express. I was so excited, imagining all the lattes and cappuccinos I’d make at home. But when I unboxed it, the excitement…
Do you really need to spend $5 every morning for that creamy, dreamy latte? I used to think so too. For the longest time, my daily coffee shop run was practically sacred. Lattes, cappuccinos, flat whites—I loved them all. But one day, I added up how much I was spending every month, and let’s just…
Are you overwhelmed by all the espresso tools out there? Well, when I first got into espresso, I was completely overwhelmed. I mean, people kept throwing around terms like portafilter funnels, dosing cups, and tampers with precision bases. Honestly, it felt like I needed to buy out an entire barista supply store just to pull…
Who says you must spend a fortune to enjoy barista-quality espresso at home? When I first started Coffee Voila, I was on a mission to bring the café experience into my own kitchen. But here’s the thing—I didn’t have the budget for one of those fancy $2,000 espresso machines. At the same time, I wasn’t…
Ever wonder if switching to a manual espresso machine is worth it? For years, my Breville Barista Express was my go-to. It delivered great espresso at the press of a button—consistent, easy, and fast. But one day, I found myself wanting more control. I wanted to experiment with grind sizes, tamping pressure, and extraction times…
Can you make espresso with a French press? Absolutely! While it’s not true espresso (since it lacks the high pressure of a proper espresso machine), you can make a bold, rich, espresso-like coffee using a French press—and surprisingly, it’s pretty good. I discovered this hack during a time when I couldn’t afford a high-quality espresso…
Ever feel like coffee is just coffee—until someone starts throwing around fancy terms like espresso and French press? I get it. Back when I first started drinking coffee, it was all the same to me. A hot cup of black coffee in the morning, maybe a cappuccino at a café if I was feeling adventurous….