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…
Ever pulled an espresso shot and thought, Wait… is that all? If you’re new to espresso, that tiny amount of liquid can feel almost too small. But here’s the deal: a standard espresso shot is exactly 1 ounce (30 ml), and a double shot (doppio) is 2 ounces (60 ml). That’s the sweet spot for…
I remember being a kid, waking up to the sound of my parents’ coffee maker brewing a fresh pot. It was simple and smooth, and that machine lasted for years. Back then, I’d mix in a splash of milk to create my own version of a latte. Well, not quite the same, but hey, it…
Ever wondered whether a French press or an espresso machine is the right choice for you? I’ve been there. Back in my school years, I had a French press, and at the time, I thought it could do it all. I used it to make everything from lattes to cappuccinos, thinking I was a coffee…
Ever wondered just how much caffeine is packed into that tiny shot of espresso? I never thought much about the caffeine I was consuming. I just knew I needed it to function. My morning routine was simple: grab an espresso, enjoy the bold flavor, and get on with my day. But one time, after a…
Ever feel like you’re gaining weight out of the blue? A few months ago, I woke up and realized my jeans were tighter than usual. No big dietary changes, no shift in routine. Yet the scale kept inching upward. It drove me nuts because I hate the feeling of extra pounds, especially when I couldn’t…
Why does your espresso taste so sour? When I first started pulling shots on my Barista Express, I expected rich, balanced espresso with a smooth finish. Instead? Pure sourness. Every sip had that sharp, tangy bite that made me question what I was doing wrong. I tweaked my tamping technique, adjusted the water temperature, and…
Why does my espresso taste so bitter? Yeah, I’ve been there! When I first got my Breville Barista Express, I was beyond excited. It’s an amazing machine, and I was ready to pull café-quality shots at home. But my first few espressos? Bitter. Really bitter. And I couldn’t figure out why. My beans were fresh,…
Ever wonder why your espresso sometimes tastes perfectly balanced, but other times it’s bitter, sour, or just off? The answer might be your brewing temperature. The ideal range for espresso is 195°F – 205°F (90°C – 96°C), with most baristas going for 200°F (93.3°C) as the sweet spot. When I first started making espresso at…
Ever pulled an espresso shot only to watch it rush out like water or worse, barely drip at all? If so, I know exactly how frustrating that can be. One of my first espresso machines was a cheap De’Longhi Stilosa EC260. I was excited to finally make “real espresso” at home, but my shots were…