Ever take a sip of your French press coffee and get a mouthful of grit at the end? That was me when I first started brewing with my press. I loved the bold, full-bodied flavor it gave compared to my drip machine. But every time I got near the bottom of the cup, I’d hit…
Should you bother with French press blooming? The short answer: yes, especially if you’re using fresh beans. When I first started brewing with my French press, I had no clue about blooming. I’d simply dump in the water, wait, plunge, and wonder why my coffee sometimes tasted sharp or flat. The first time I actually…
Are you sure you’re brewing your French press the right way? Even though I love my Barista Express, I can’t deny my love for French press coffee. It’s a totally different ball game! Simple on the surface, but full of little tricks that make or break your cup. I’ve learned the hard way that a…
A few years back, I was staying in a hotel that had one of those tiny drip coffee machines in the corner. Great for a plain cup, sure, but I was missing my favorite foamy cappuccino-style drinks. And buying an espresso machine was out of the question (imagine hauling that through an airport for a…
Ever wondered what happens if you ignore your moka pot for too long? When I got my Barista Espresso machine, I pushed my old trusty moka pot to the back of the shelf. I was too busy pulling shots, steaming milk, and pretending I was running a café from my kitchen. But then, out of…
Have you ever wondered why your mushroom coffee loses its punch faster than you’d like? A few days ago, I wrote a post on the benefits of mushroom coffee. But here’s the thing: those benefits don’t mean much if you don’t protect the freshness. I quickly learned that leaving the bag half-open in the pantry…
Ever found yourself staring at a shelf full of moka pots, wondering which one to grab? A few years ago, I was standing in the supermarket, completely stuck between an aluminum moka pot and a shiny stainless steel moka pot. The aluminum one was cheaper and lighter, while the stainless looked tougher, like it would…
Ever had your moka pot suddenly stop brewing the way it used to? I had a moka pot that always made smooth, rich coffee without issues. But one morning, things changed. The coffee wouldn’t brew. I sat there staring at it, waiting and waiting, until I finally gave up and turned off the burner. With…
Ever tried shopping for a moka pot and thought, “Wait, what’s a 6-cup? And why does it look smaller than my morning mug?” I remember my first time picking one out. I assumed a “3-cup” moka pot meant three big cups of coffee. And guess what? It didn’t! What I ended up with was three…
Ever brewed coffee in a moka pot and wondered why it tasted more like burnt ash than smooth espresso? When I first started brewing with a moka pot many years ago, it was way before I even had my espresso machine. More often than not, the coffee came out bitter and harsh, almost undrinkable. I…