Ever wonder why your espresso shots suddenly start tasting off? Even when the beans are fresh? I don’t own a coffee shop myself (as I’ve mentioned over on Coffee Voilà), but I’ve got a handful of close friends who do. Over countless late-night chats and behind-the-bar hangs, they’ve generously shared their real-world cleaning routines. The…
Ever looked at your espresso machine and thought, “What are all these parts actually doing? Yeah same here. When I first got my Barista Express, I was pumped to pull my own shots at home. But once I unboxed it and took a look at everything: the portafilter, the basket, the group head. I realized…
If you’re getting into home brewing, chances are you’ve asked yourself this: Do I really need an espresso machine, or can my pour-over setup do the job? It’s a question I hear all the time, especially from coffee lovers who already have a V60, Chemex, or French press. After all, if you’re happy with your…
Ever feel like your espresso shots have a mind of their own? When I first got my Barista Express, I was convinced I had everything I needed to pull perfect shots. But let me tell you: my espresso was all over the place. Some shots were too fast, others painfully slow, and a few tasted…
Can you really make a regular coffee with a Nespresso Machine? Though I can brew a solid cup of regular coffee with my OXO Brew 9-Cup Coffee Maker, I’ve lost count of how many times my friends have asked me the same question—“Can I make regular coffee with my Nespresso machine?” I guess that’s what…
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…