Ever pulled an espresso shot that tasted sour and bitter at the same time, with weak crema and an odd, uneven flow? If so, you’ve probably experienced espresso channeling. I know, I’ve been there too. When I first started brewing coffee with my Barista Express, I was beyond excited to make café-quality espresso at home…
Ever dreamed of pulling the perfect espresso shot by hand only to end up with a bitter or a watery coffee? I remember when I first got my Flair Espresso Pro, thinking, How hard could this be? Well… my first attempts were terrible. Either I’d use too little pressure, resulting in underwhelming weak shots, or…
Ever had an espresso machine act up right when you needed it most? I’m not a coffee shop owner myself. I’m more of a home barista who loves experimenting with different techniques and gear. But after spending hours chatting with my café-owner friends, I’ve heard all the horror stories. For instance, machines not heating up,…
Ever wondered why some coffee shop owners rave about their espresso machine while others regret their purchase? I personally don’t own a coffee shop. But I have several friends who do. And over the years, I’ve heard both sides. Some complain about constant breakdowns and slow service. Meanwhile others brag about how their machine keeps…
Ever wanted to brew café-quality coffee at home but didn’t know where to start? When I first got into home brewing, I was overwhelmed. Espresso, pour-over, French press—there were so many methods, and each seemed to require different tools, techniques, and beans. I found myself scouring endless guides, watching YouTube tutorials, and still feeling like…
Are you wondering how much caffeine your little Nespresso pods have? Well, I admit it! I haven’t given my Nespresso VertuoPlus much love ever since I got my Breville Barista Express. But sometimes, when I’m feeling lazy, I pop in a capsule, press a button, and let the machine do the work. No grinding, no…
Do Nespresso pods expire, or are they still good after months of sitting in your pantry? If you’ve ever found an old sleeve of Nespresso pods hiding in the back of a cupboard, you’ve probably asked yourself whether they’re still fresh enough to brew. I’ll admit it—I own a Nespresso VertuoPlus. But let’s be real,…
Are expensive espresso machines really worth it, or is it all just hype? For the longest time, my trusty Moka pot was my go-to for a strong, rich coffee. It got the job done, and honestly, I didn’t see the point in spending hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars on an espresso machine. Why would anyone…
Ever bought a new coffee machine, only to realize you have no idea how to use it? Yeah, same. A few years ago, I bought a Keurig K-Elite, thinking I’d just unbox it, press a button, and boom coffee. Well, there’s a little more to it than that. Not that the machine was complicated, but…
Ever found yourself staring at a wall of coffee machines, wondering which one actually fits your needs? I’ve been there. I was never really a fan of capsule coffee machines. Something about pre-packaged coffee felt like it was missing the soul of real espresso. But then, I gave a Keurig a shot, and to my…