Have you ever been out in nature, ready to enjoy a peaceful morning, only to be disappointed by a terrible cup of coffee? I learned this lesson the hard way. My first camping trip, I grabbed the first instant coffee package I could find at home, thinking, “It’s just coffee, how bad could it be?”…
Not sure what pod to choose? Though Nespresso isn’t exactly my thing. I’m more of a manual brewing guy. But sometimes you’ve gotta make a few sacrifices for the greater good. Well, I can’t say it was a huge sacrifice, since I was sipping espresso after espresso for this guide. But still, testing over 30…
Ever wonder why espresso just hits different in Italy? I’ve always been drawn to the Italian espresso culture. The slow mornings, the tiny cups, the smell of freshly ground beans floating out of cafés on cobblestone streets. Over the years, I’ve tried machines from Germany, the U.S., and even a few hyped-up newcomers. Some were…
Do you really need an espresso tamper mat? Here’s why… When I first started making espresso at home, I thought all I needed was a decent machine, a tamper, and some good beans. I didn’t even think about a tamper mat. In fact, it was the last thing I bought. I figured, why spend extra…
Looking for the best small espresso machine? Here’s what you need to know… One night, I visited a friend who lives in a ridiculously small apartment. I mean, you stretch your arms, and boom, you’ve touched both walls. I figured he’d be stuck drinking instant coffee or weak pod machine espresso. But nope. He had…
Ever find yourself knocking out coffee pucks straight into the trash, only to end up with grounds everywhere? For a long time, I didn’t have a knock box in my home coffee setup, and let’s just say things got messy fast. I’d tap my portafilter on the edge of the trash can, and somehow, coffee…
Have you been using the wrong espresso cup all along? For years, I never thought twice about my espresso cups. As long as I had something small enough to hold a shot of espresso, I was good to go. I’d grab any random little cup from my kitchen cabinet—didn’t matter if it was thick, thin,…
Is your office coffee machine keeping up with your team’s caffeine needs? When I used to work in an office a few years ago, we had an espresso machine that was way ahead of its time. It brewed everything from strong espressos to creamy lattes, adjusting to each person’s preference like magic. At the time,…
Tired of putting in extra effort just to get your morning coffee? I used to be all about semi-automatic espresso machines. Grinding the beans, tamping the shot just right, and steaming the milk felt like a ritual. I actually enjoyed the process, but let’s be honest, it took time and effort, especially on busy mornings….
Is a Manual Espresso Machine Worth the Effort? Let’s Find Out! I never really thought about using a manual espresso machine. They always looked a bit intimidating with levers, pressure gauges, and all that work just to get a single shot. I mean, why go through all that when my Barista Express already pulls a…